1. VITAMIN C :
(Ascorbic acid )

2. Chemistry :
-6c organic acid with structural similarity to
glucose.
-Potent reducing agent & is biologically active.
Source :
-Citrus fruits ( lemon,oranges)& black
currants – richest source .
-Others are tomato, potato, green chillies,
cabbage .
------Human milk is richer in vit c ( 25 – 50
mg/l) than cow’s milk

3. Hypovitaminosis : Scurvy,hemorrhagia,dry skin, gingivitis
with bleeding gums,tooth loss.
Hypervitaminosis : Rbc
hemolysis,hyperglycemia,glucosuria,dyspepsia.
Daily allowance : 60mg
Absorption : 70 – 90%
Mode of administration : tab,liquid, injection,capsule
-The vitamin is involved in tyrosine metabolism,
conversion of folic acid to folinic acid, carbohydrate
metabolism, synthesis of lipids and proteins, iron
metabolism, resistance to infections, and cellular
respiration.

4. Pharmacokinetics :
Commpletely absorbed from
git (jejunum ).
METABOLISM : mainly by liver
into active ( dehydroascorbic
acid) and inactive ( oxalic acid)
metabolites.
EXCRETION : kidney (urine) .

5. Pharmacodynamics:
- Indicated for the prevention and
treatment of scurvy, as ascorbic acid
deficiency results in scurvy.
- Collagenous structures are
primarily affected, and lesions
develop in bones and blood vessels.
- Administration of ascorbic acid
completely reverses the symptoms
of ascorbic acid deficiency.

6. Uses :
-Prevention of ascorbic acid deficiency.Infants (50-
100mg/ day ).
-Treatment of scurvy – 0.5 – 1.5 g / day .
-Anaemia
-To acidify urine in UTI
- For intoxication and poisoning.
Food interactions :
Avoid multivalent ions. Do not infuse with
elemental compounds that can be reduced, such as
copper.