Ascorbate

Vitamin C

Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a682583
Pregnancy category	A (to RDA), C (above RDA)
Routes of administration	by mouth, IM, IV, subQ
ATC code	A11G (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: Unscheduled US: OTC general public availability
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	rapid & complete
Protein binding	negligible
Biological half-life	varies according to plasma concentration
Excretion	kidney
Identifiers
IUPAC name 2-oxo-L-threo-hexono-1,4-lactone-2,3-enediol or (R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-((S)- 1,2-dihydroxyethyl)furan-2(5H)-one
Synonyms	L-ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbate
CAS Number	50-81-7 Y
PubChem CID	5785
IUPHAR/BPS	4781
DrugBank	DB00126 Y
ChemSpider	10189562 Y
UNII	PQ6CK8PD0R
KEGG	D00018 Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:29073 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL196 Y
NIAID ChemDB	002072
E number	E300 (antioxidants, ...)
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.061
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C6H8O6
Molar mass	176.12 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
Density	1.694 g/cm3
Melting point	190 °C (374 °F)
Boiling point	553 °C (1,027 °F)
SMILES C([C@@H]([C@@H]1C(=C(C(=O)O1)O)O)O)O
InChI InChI=1S/C6H8O6/c7-1-2(8)5-3(9)4(10)6(11)12-5/h2,5,7-10H,1H2/t2-,5+/m0/s1 Y Key:CIWBSHSKHKDKBQ-JLAZNSOCSA-N Y

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid and L-ascorbic acid, is a vitamin found in food and used as a dietary supplement. As a supplement it is used to treat and prevent scurvy. Evidence does not support use in the general population for the prevention of the common cold. It may be taken by mouth or by injection.

It is generally well tolerated. Large doses may cause gastrointestinal upset, headache, trouble sleeping, and flushing of the skin. Normal doses are safe during pregnancy. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue. Foods that contain vitamin C include citrus fruit, tomatoes, and potatoes.

Vitamin C was discovered in 1912, isolated in 1928, and first made in 1933. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. Vitamin C is available as a generic medication and over the counter. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 0.19 to 0.54 USD per month. In some countries ascorbic acid may be added to foods such as breakfast cereal.

A 2012 Cochrane review found no effect of vitamin C supplementation on overall mortality.

Although rare in modern times, scurvy and its associated destabilization of collagen, connective tissue, and bone can be prevented by adequate vitamin C intake.

A 2014 review found that, "Currently, the use of high-dose IV vitamin C [as an anticancer agent] cannot be recommended outside of a clinical trial."