Overview

A six carbon compound related to glucose. It is found naturally in citrus fruits and many vegetables. Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient in human diets, and necessary to maintain connective tissue and bone. Its biologically active form, vitamin C, functions as a reducing agent and coenzyme in several metabolic pathways. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant.

Indication

Used to treat vitamin C deficiency, scurvy, delayed wound and bone healing, urine acidification, and in general as an antioxidant. It has also been suggested to be an effective antiviral agent.

Associated Conditions

Common Cold
Deficiency, Vitamin A
Deficiency, Vitamin D
Fever
Flu caused by Influenza
Folate deficiency
Iron Deficiency (ID)
Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
Oral bacterial infection
Scurvy
Vitamin C Deficiency
Vitamin Deficiency

Research Report

Published: Jul 28, 2025

A Comprehensive Monograph on L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): From Chemical Structure to Clinical Application

Introduction and Historical Context: The Conquest of Scurvy and the Identification of a Vital Molecule

Overview of L-Ascorbic Acid

L-ascorbic acid, universally known as Vitamin C, is an essential water-soluble vitamin and a small molecule drug cataloged under DrugBank ID DB00126.[1] It is a six-carbon compound structurally analogous to glucose, which is indispensable for human health.[1] Unlike most vertebrates, humans lack the enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase, which catalyzes the final step in ascorbic acid biosynthesis, making it an essential nutrient that must be obtained exogenously through diet.[3] Its fundamental physiological roles are vast and critical, encompassing the maintenance of connective tissue and bone, functioning as a primary reducing agent and coenzyme in numerous metabolic pathways, and serving as one of the body's most potent and vital antioxidants.[1]

The Historical Scourge of Scurvy

Continue reading the full research report

Clinical Trials

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Title	Posted	Study ID	Phase	Status	Sponsor
Role of Vitamin C at 6 Months on Incidence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I in Upper Limb Surgery	2015/03/17	NCT02390505	Phase 3	Recruiting	Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Amiens
Antioxidants in Gestational Diabetes	2015/02/04	NCT02355197	Phase 4	Completed	Cairo University
A Phase 2 Trial of High-Dose Ascorbate in Glioblastoma Multiforme	2015/01/22	NCT02344355	Phase 2	Active, not recruiting	Bryan Allen
Multicenter Randomized Parallel Group Phase III Study Comparing the Bowel Cleansing Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of NER1006 Versus Trisulfate Solution Using 2-Day Split-Dosing Regimen in Adults	2014/10/02	NCT02254486	Phase 3	Completed	Norgine
Ascorbic Acid Administration in the Treatment of Anemia in Chronic Hemodialysed Patients	2014/08/26	NCT02225886	Phase 4	UNKNOWN	Anemia Working Group Romania
Phosphate Lowering in CKD Trial	2014/08/06	NCT02209636	Phase 4	Completed	VA Office of Research and Development
Interest of Ascorbic Acid in the Management of Pneumonia in Elderly People Hospitalized.	2014/07/10	NCT02186158	Phase 2	Completed	University Hospital, Bordeaux
The Effectiveness of Vitamin C in Postoperative Pain Management of Single-level Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)	2014/04/30	NCT02127060	Not Applicable	Completed	Seoul National University Hospital
Vitamin C Infusion for Treatment in Sepsis Induced Acute Lung Injury	2014/04/08	NCT02106975	Phase 2	Completed	Virginia Commonwealth University
Use of Antioxidant in Endometriotic Women to Improve Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)	2014/02/10	NCT02058212	Phase 2	Completed	Cairo University

FDA Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Manufacturer	NDC Code	Route	Strength	Effective Date
Venexa	PureTek Corporation	59088-176	ORAL	120 mg in 1 1	1/11/2023
MetDetox	Dr. Donna Restivo DC	62185-0062	ORAL	6 [hp_X] in 1 mL	5/23/2025
Nephron FA	Carilion Materials Management	68151-3063	ORAL	40 mg in 1 1	6/10/2014
MYNEPHROCAPS DIALYSIS/STRESS Vitamin Supplement	MARTIN EKWEALOR PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.	58607-186	ORAL	100 mg in 1 1	12/13/2013
PNV-Omega	Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC	42192-332	ORAL	85 mg in 1 1	6/27/2019
Multivitamin with Fluoride	Method Pharmaceuticals, LLC	58657-165	ORAL	60 mg in 1 1	12/10/2023
Sinus Tonic	BioActive Nutritional, Inc.	43857-0532	ORAL	12 [hp_X] in 1 mL	5/20/2025
Vitafol Ultra	Exeltis USA, Inc.	0642-0093	ORAL	30 mg in 1 1	3/14/2023
MultiVitamin with Fluoride	H2-Pharma, LLC	61269-156	ORAL	60 mg in 1 1	9/16/2025
Micronex Multivitamin	Triva Pharmaceuticals, LLC	84781-014	ORAL	75 mg in 1 1	5/28/2025

EMA Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Authorization Holder	Status	Issued Date
No EMA approvals found for this drug.

HSA Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Manufacturer	Approval Number	Dosage Form	Strength	Approval Date
No HSA approvals found for this drug.

NMPA Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Company	Approval Number	Drug Type	Dosage Form	Approval Date
No NMPA approvals found for this drug.

PPB Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Registration No.	Company	Licence No.	Strength	Registration Date
No PPB approvals found for this drug.

TGA Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	ARTG ID	Sponsor	Registration Type	Status	Registration Date
Multi Vitamin	472186	Emrald Labs Pty Ltd	Medicine	A	12/9/2024
Men`s Multi	467971	Sublux P/L	Medicine	A	11/11/2024
Wealthy Health Beaut?21 Hair & Nails Nutrition formula	154960	Universal Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd	Medicine	A	9/5/2008
COLLAGENICS	122467	Metagenics (Aust) Pty Ltd	Medicine	A	10/6/2005
PM Procare	169884	Pharmametics Products A Division of Max Biocare Pty Ltd	Medicine	A	3/16/2010
Echinax Sachet	168978	Mega Lifesciences (Australia) Pty Ltd	Medicine	A	2/11/2010
PHARMACY CARE DAILY MULTIVITAMIN	215746	Sigma Company Limited	Medicine	A	10/8/2013
NUTRA-LIFE JOINT FORMULA + MSM UNFLAVOURED POWDER	284718	Vitaco Health Australia Pty Ltd	Medicine	A	1/17/2017
Heart Goodness	280569	Bio-21 Century Pty Ltd	Medicine	A	9/21/2016
METAGENICS META ZINC WITH VITAMIN C RASPBERRY	282576	Metagenics (Aust) Pty Ltd	Medicine	A	11/16/2016

Health Canada Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Company	DIN	Dosage Form	Strength	Market Date
T.R. SWISS ONE '80' MULTIVITAMIN & MINERAL	swiss herbal remedies ltd.	02238156	Tablet - Oral	250 MG	7/13/1998
MULTI VITAMINES JUNIOR AVEC FER	distributions multi-pro inc.	00630454	Tablet - Oral	20 MG	12/31/1985
MULTI-VITE	seroyal international inc.	00705233	Tablet - Oral	50 MG	12/31/1990
MULTI VITE LIQ JUNIOR	pharmetics (2011) inc	00479195	Liquid - Oral	10 MG / 1 ML	12/31/1981
MULTI VITAMINES - LIQ	land art inc.	02148242	Liquid - Oral	50 MG / 5 ML	12/31/1995
MULTIVITAMINES	rolmex international inc.	02237421	Tablet - Oral	75 MG / TAB	5/11/1998
H.W. 50 FORMULA TIME RELEASE - TABLET	health-wise nutrition inc.	02168081	Tablet - Oral	100 MG	11/13/1996
MULTI NT-OX	abundance naturally ltd	02238889	Tablet - Oral	125 MG / TAB	2/1/1999
MULTIVITAMINES & MINERAUX TAB	nobel pharm enr.	00781088	Tablet - Oral	150 MG / TAB	12/31/1988
MULTIPLE VITAMINS PLUS IRON TAB	hall laboratories, ltd.	00529982	Tablet - Oral	60 MG	12/31/1981

CIMA AEMPS Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Company	Registration Number	Pharmaceutical Form	Prescription Type	Status
No CIMA AEMPS (Spain) approvals found for this drug.

Philippines FDA Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Company	License Number	Dosage Form	Strength	Approval Date
No Philippines FDA approvals found for this drug.

Saudi SFDA Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Company	License Number	Dosage Form	Strength	Approval Date
No Saudi SFDA approvals found for this drug.

Malaysia NPRA Drug Approvals

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Approved Product	Company	Registration Number	Dosage Form	Strength	Approval Date
No Malaysia NPRA approvals found for this drug.

UK EMC Drug Information

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Medicine Name	MA Holder	MA Number	Pharmaceutical Form	Active Ingredient	Authorization Date
No UK EMC drug information found for this drug.