Over-the-counter medication · Vitamin C Supplement
ascorbic acid
Also sold as Vitamin C. This medicine gives you extra Vitamins A, C, and D.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 22,556
- FDA reportsModerately reported
- 8
- InteractionsFew interactions
- OTC
- Availability
What the data shows
ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is an over-the-counter Vitamin C Supplement, reported at a middle-of-the-pack volume (22,556 FDA reports), with 8 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is an over-the-counter Vitamin C Supplement. This medicine gives you extra Vitamins A, C, and D.
This medicine is a Vitamin C supplement. It also has Vitamins A and D. It can help prevent tooth decay.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
What it does
This medicine gives you extra Vitamins A, C, and D.
Common side effects
No common side effects listed.
Key warnings
There are no serious warnings listed.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from ascorbic acid's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Vitamin C is needed for growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. Vitamins A and D are also important for overall health. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay.
How to Take It
Give 1.0 mL each day, or as your doctor tells you. You can drop it right into the mouth with the dropper. You can also mix it with cereal, fruit juice, or other food. This medicine comes in a 50 mL bottle with a dropper.
This is a plain-language summary of ascorbic acid's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
This information is for children. Ask a doctor for advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
This is a plain-language summary of ascorbic acid's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of ascorbic acid's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 22,556 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for ascorbic acid, by number of reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
2,275 reports
- Pain
Pain
2,059 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
1,942 reports
- Loose stools
Loose stools
1,785 reports
- Headache
Headache
1,762 reports
- Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing
1,637 reports
- Throwing up
Throwing up
1,523 reports
- Weakness
Weakness
1,446 reports
- Skin rash
Skin rash
1,361 reports
- Feeling lightheaded
Feeling lightheaded
1,313 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for ascorbic acid each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where ascorbic acid sits
ascorbic acid has more FDA adverse-event reports than 57% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is ascorbic acid; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 22,556 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1999–2025.
Total Reports
22,556
Reports Mentioning Death
2,511
11.1% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
9,031
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FATIGUE | 2,275 |
| 2 | PAIN | 2,059 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 1,943 |
| 4 | DIARRHOEA | 1,785 |
| 5 | HEADACHE | 1,763 |
| 7 | DYSPNOEA | 1,639 |
| 8 | VOMITING | 1,523 |
| 10 | ASTHENIA | 1,447 |
| 11 | RASH | 1,362 |
| 12 | DIZZINESS | 1,314 |
| 13 | ARTHRALGIA | 1,257 |
| 14 | PRURITUS | 1,133 |
| 15 | PYREXIA | 1,123 |
| 16 | HYPERTENSION | 1,021 |
| 17 | INSOMNIA | 1,004 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
There are no serious warnings listed.
Known Drug Interactions
Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma EE concentrations, possibly by inhibition of conjugation.
Mechanism: Vitamin C can stop your body from breaking down the estrogen in your birth control, which may lead to higher hormone levels in your blood.
What to do: Consult your healthcare provider about whether you need to limit your vitamin C intake while taking this birth control.
Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase systemic exposure of EE possibly by inhibition of conjugation.
Mechanism: Ascorbic acid blocks the way your body normally breaks down estradiol, which can cause the drug levels to rise.
What to do: Watch for increased side effects and let your doctor know if you are taking Vitamin C supplements.
Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma ethinyl estradiol concentrations, possibly by inhibition of conjugation.
Mechanism: Vitamin C can stop your body from breaking down the estrogen in your birth control. This leads to higher levels of the hormone in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor may need to watch for side effects from higher estrogen levels.
Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma ethinyl estradiol levels, possibly by inhibition of conjugation.
Mechanism: Ascorbic acid blocks the process your body uses to clear birth control hormones. This can cause the levels of estrogen in your blood to rise higher than usual.
What to do: Your doctor may need to monitor you for increased side effects from the birth control. Do not start or stop taking large amounts of Vitamin C without talking to your provider.
Ascorbic acid and acetaminophen may increase plasma ethinyl estradiol levels, possibly by inhibition of conjugation.
Mechanism: Ascorbic acid blocks the process that normally clears estrogen from your body, leading to higher hormone levels.
What to do: Your doctor may need to watch for side effects from increased estrogen levels.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
What if my child spits out the dose?
Can I give this to my baby?
How long should my child take this?
Can I give my child more than 1 mL if they are sick?
What do I do if my child gets a rash after taking this?
Does this medicine need to be refrigerated?
Can I add this to hot food?
What if I give too much?
Can I use a spoon instead of the dropper?
Is this medicine safe for all children?
Does ascorbic acid interact with other medications?
What drug class is ascorbic acid?
Is ascorbic acid safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Vitamin C Supplement
Other drugs grouped near ascorbic acid - same-class peers and common alternatives.
biotin
Vitamin B7
Dialyvite with Zinc is a prescription vitamin supplement.
Compare with ascorbic acid →
calcitriol
Rocaltrol
Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D that helps your body absorb and use calcium.
Compare with ascorbic acid →
calcium carbonate
Tums, Caltrate
Calcium carbonate is a medicine that can relieve heartburn and upset stomach.
Compare with ascorbic acid →
cholecalciferol
Vitamin D3
PNV-DHA is a multivitamin with minerals and essential fatty acids.
Compare with ascorbic acid →
chromium picolinate
Chromium
Chromium picolinate is a mineral supplement.
Compare with ascorbic acid →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
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FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
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NSAIDs vs acetaminophen, which OTC pain reliever to use
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
What the FDA Data Shows for ascorbic acid
The FDA label for ascorbic acid (sold under brand names such as Vitamin C) classifies it as an over-the-counter product in the Vitamin C Supplement class. This medicine gives you extra Vitamins A, C, and D. Labeling covers dosing, contraindications, and monitoring requirements derived from clinical trials.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 22,556 voluntary reports. The database also lists 8 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 21, 2025
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages