Two medicines, side by side
Ascorbic acid vs magnesium oxide
Ascorbic acid has no indication this site maps; magnesium oxide for acid reflux and ulcers. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other.
Check it at the source: the ascorbic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026); the magnesium oxide FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 6, 2026).
Highlights of the ascorbic acid record
Ascorbic acid (Ascor) · label of May 29, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE ASCOR is vitamin C indicated for the short term (up to 1 week) treatment of scurvy in adult and pediatric patients age 5 months and older for whom oral administration is not possible, insufficient or contraindicated. Limitations of Use ASCOR is not indicated for treatment of vitamin C deficiency that is not associated with signs and symptoms of scurvy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 2, 2017
- Generic labelers
- 4 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- Not in the survey
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the magnesium oxide record
Magnesium oxide · label of July 6, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsrelieves: acid indigestion upset stomach
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0346 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ascorbic acid label of May 29, 2026, Magnesium oxide label of July 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ascorbic acid and magnesium oxide differ on the record?
Generics: ascorbic acid since 2025; magnesium oxide none approved (Drugs@FDA).
| Ascorbic acid | Magnesium oxide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Vitamin C | n/a |
| How it works (label) | The exact mechanism of action of ascorbic acid for the treatment of symptoms and signs of scurvy (a disorder caused by severe deficiency in vitamin C) is unknown; … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | October 2, 2017 | n/a |
| First generic approved | August 7, 2025 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 4 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | n/a | $0.0346 per tablet (Magnesium oxide 400 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | n/a | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 23,122 | 42,078 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to ascorbic acid
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions