1 May 2026Oral drugs
Ascorbic acid = Vitamin C oral
Vitamin C guidance for treatment and prevention of scurvy, with age-based dosing and dose-related precaution notes.
This guide page is for structured reference only and does not replace a clinician, pharmacist, or emergency review. Dose choice, route choice, interactions, and safety decisions still need professional judgment.
Therapeutic action
Vitamin.
Indications
Treatment and prevention of scurvy (vitamin C deficiency).
Forms and strengths
- 250 mg chewable tablet.
- 500 mg tablet.
Dose and duration
Treatment of scurvy
The optimal dose has not been established. For information, treatment is administered at least 2 weeks or longer until symptoms resolve, then preventive treatment is given as long as the situation requires.
- Child 1 month to 11 years: 100 mg 3 times daily.
- Child 12 years and over and adult: 250 mg 3 times daily.
- Child 1 month to 3 years: 100 mg 2 times daily.
- Child 4 to 11 years: 250 mg 2 times daily.
- Child 12 years and over and adult: 500 mg 2 times daily.
Prevention of scurvy
- Child and adult: 50 mg daily, as long as the situation requires.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Ascorbic acid is well tolerated at indicated doses.
- May cause gastrointestinal disturbances and nephrolithiasis at doses > 1 g daily.
- May interfere with the measurement of glucose in blood and urine at doses >= 2 g daily.
- Pregnancy: no contra-indication; do not exceed 1 g daily.
- Breast-feeding: no contra-indication.
Source
MSF Essential drugs practical guidelines (January 2026)
This page reproduces the structured reference information for this batch while leaving out the Storage and Remarks sections.
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