Ascorbic Acid Injection Solution

Ascorbic Acid Injection Solution

Available presentation(s): 100 mL. Verify the exact concentration and total active quantity on the prescription and dispensing label.

Introduction: Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin and enzymatic cofactor. Injectable ascorbic acid has recognised use for short-term treatment of scurvy when oral administration is not possible; high-dose intravenous use for other purposes is off-label and evidence varies by indication.

Dosage: Dose is indication-specific. For labelled scurvy treatment, follow the applicable approved product information. High-dose infusion must be prescribed in grams, not simply millilitres, with a defined dilution, infusion rate, duration and monitoring plan. The 300 mg/mL, 100 mL vial contains 30 g total and is a multi-dose quantity only if the validated container, BUD and aseptic-use instructions permit.

Mechanisms of Action: Donates electrons in redox reactions and supports collagen synthesis, catecholamine synthesis, carnitine production and iron absorption. At very high parenteral concentrations it can exert pro-oxidant effects in the presence of transition metals.

Contraindications & Precautions: Screen for significant renal impairment, nephrolithiasis/oxalate risk, iron-overload disorders and G6PD deficiency before high-dose therapy. It can interfere with some blood and urine glucose meters and laboratory assays. Ensure hydration and monitor renal function when clinically indicated.

Interactions: May interfere with point-of-care glucose testing and selected laboratory methods. Use with caution with nephrotoxic medicines, iron therapy in iron-overload states, and chemotherapy unless the oncology team approves. Avoid unvalidated admixtures.

Adverse Reactions / Side Effects: Infusion-site pain, flushing, nausea, headache and dizziness may occur. High doses can cause oxalate nephropathy, haemolysis in G6PD deficiency, fluid/solute disturbances and laboratory-test interference; severe hypersensitivity is uncommon.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Vitamin C is required in pregnancy, but safety of high-dose intravenous treatment is not established. Use only for a clear maternal indication at the lowest appropriate dose. It enters breast milk; avoid non-essential high-dose therapy during breastfeeding.

Storage: Store under the conditions stated on the Optimus dispensing label and product-specific worksheet. Protect from light where labelled. Do not freeze unless explicitly validated. Maintain cold chain if the label requires refrigeration. Do not use after the assigned beyond-use date or if there is visible particulate matter, precipitation, colour change, loss of container integrity or evidence of improper storage. Once entered, follow the validated in-use time; do not assume a compounded vial is multi-dose.

References

• New Zealand Formulary (NZF), current online edition; product-specific approved data sheets where available; USP Pharmaceutical Compounding—Sterile Preparations; and Optimus Healthcare validated formulation, sterility/endotoxin controls and assigned beyond-use date.
• DailyMed. ASCOR (ascorbic acid injection)—prescribing information, current edition. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/
• NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Health Professional Fact Sheets (vitamins and minerals), current online editions. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-VitaminsMinerals/
• US FDA. Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers. Updated 16 September 2025. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers