[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Vitamins](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/vitamins/) › Ascorbic acid

# Ascorbic acid

## Vitamins?

Vitamins

Vitamin C. Needed to build collagen and absorb plant iron; the body cannot make or store it. Its lack causes scurvy.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: vitamin C

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Vitamins](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/vitamins/)

**Target**
Cofactor for collagen formation; antioxidant

**Used for**
Scurvy · Low intake or malabsorption

**Key effects**
Diarrhoea · Headache

**Monitor**
Healing of gum bleeding

**ATC**
A11GA01

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

Ascorbic acid is needed to make stable collagen for skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, gums and scars. It also keeps iron from plant foods in a form the gut absorbs and acts as an antioxidant. Humans cannot make vitamin C, so a long time without it leads to fragile vessels and poor healing (scurvy).

- Vitamin C is needed to make stable collagen
- Vessels, gums and scars stay strong
- It also helps the gut absorb plant iron

## Indications

- Scurvy, treatment and prevention [Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/scurvy/)
- Low intake or malabsorption (restricted diets, cancer, kidney disease)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Diarrhoea, nausea, heartburn, gas
- Headache, flushing, tiredness, trouble sleeping

### Serious (rare, important)

- Kidney stones, rarely, with very high intakes

## Contraindications

- Allergy to the product or its ingredients
- Large supplemental doses are not recommended in pregnancy
- Some forms contain sodium (relevant on a low-sodium diet)

## Key interactions

**Iron from plant foods or oral iron**
Vitamin C increases its absorption

**Laboratory tests, including urine glucose tests**
Vitamin C can alter results; the lab is told about it

**Smoking**
Lowers vitamin C levels and raises requirements

## What is monitored

- Healing of gum bleeding, bruising and wounds in scurvy
- Diet history and malabsorption

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Vitamin C is needed in pregnancy, but large supplemental doses are not recommended.

## Nursing care

- Look for signs of scurvy: bleeding gums, easy bruising, slow wound healing, swollen joints.
- Ask about restricted diets, alcohol, smoking and older age with poor intake.
- People with diabetes ask which urine glucose test to use, since vitamin C can interfere.

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Absorbed by mouth; also available as an injection

**Distribution**
Not stored in meaningful amounts, so it must come from the diet every day

## Memory aid

«C is for Collagen»: without it, gums bleed, bruises spread and wounds will not close.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why does vitamin C deficiency cause bleeding gums and poor wound healing?

Without vitamin C the body cannot make stable collagen, so vessels and scars are weak.

## How does vitamin C affect iron?

It increases absorption of iron from plant foods.

## Which group is typically affected by scurvy today?

Malnourished older adults and people with very restricted diets.

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[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 2

- [Ferrous sulfate](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ferrous-sulfate/)
- [Thiamine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/thiamine/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Scurvy (vitamin C deficiency)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/scurvy/)

[← Back to the class: Vitamins](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/vitamins/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682583.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2024); [Vitamin C: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002404.htm) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=A11GA01) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ascorbic-acid/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ascorbic-acid/