Vitamin C Overdose - Signs, First Aid, Treatment, Consequences

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Vitamin C overdose

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has pronounced antioxidant properties, takes part as a coenzyme in many biochemical reactions, is necessary for the normal functioning of bone and connective tissue, the immune system.

In the body, ascorbic acid, like all vitamins, is not synthesized, but is ingested with food or in the form of finished dosage forms that can be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy.

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What dose of vitamin C is needed for an overdose?

The physiological need for vitamin C for an adult is 75–90 mg per day. During pregnancy and lactation, it increases by 10-30 mg. The maximum allowable daily intake of vitamin C is 2 g. However, even if you take a larger amount, then, most likely, there will be no signs of an overdose. The fact is that ascorbic acid is a very unstable compound; in the body it is quickly destroyed and excreted in the urine. However, in some cases, vitamin C overdose may still occur. This is observed with long-term intake of a large amount of this vitamin (more than 1 g per day) or a single-stage intravenous administration of a high dose of ascorbic acid.

Signs of overdose

Signs indicating the development of an overdose of ascorbic acid with prolonged use of high doses:

• dizziness and headache;
• insomnia;
• increased blood pressure;
• irritation of the mucous membrane of the urinary tract, manifested by symptoms of cystitis or renal colic;
• itching and redness of the skin;
• hyperacid gastritis;
• the development of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer;
• inhibition of insulin synthesis by cells of the pancreas, which leads to an increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia), as well as to the appearance of sugar in the urine (glucosuria);
• the formation in the urinary tract of urinary calculi, consisting of calcium salts;
• damage to cells of the glomerular renal apparatus;
• activation of the blood coagulation system, which leads to hypercoagulation;
• violation of tissue trophism;
• microangiopathy.

When a high dose of vitamin C is given intravenously, hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) can occur. In women, estrogen levels may rise.

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First aid for vitamin C overdose

Stopping further vitamin C intake.

Antidote

There is no specific antidote for vitamin C.

When is medical attention needed?

If there are signs of an overdose of vitamin C, it is necessary to see a doctor in all cases.

Symptomatic treatment - correction of disorders that have developed in the body.

Possible consequences

Symptoms of an overdose of ascorbic acid usually disappear a few days after stopping it. However, the prognosis worsens if diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, etc. have developed, since their treatment takes a long time and does not always allow a complete recovery to be achieved.

An overdose resulting from the intravenous administration of high doses of ascorbic acid is dangerous. In this case, the destruction of red blood cells occurs, hemolytic anemia develops, but not only: the products of hemolysis cause renal dysfunction up to the development of acute renal failure - a life-threatening condition.

In pregnant women, intravenous administration of a large dose of vitamin C can cause a sharp increase in the tone of the muscles of the uterus. In turn, this can lead to spontaneous miscarriage or premature birth.

Prevention

To avoid an overdose of vitamin C, it is necessary to try to cover the daily need for it by including fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet. It should not be forgotten that the pharmacy form of vitamin C is a drug, so they need to be taken only as directed by a doctor, in an individually selected dosage.

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Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author

Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.

Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.

The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!