Patient Information Leaflet

Ascorbic Acid 500 mg Tablets BP

This medicine will be called Ascorbic Acid Tablets in this leaflet.

In this leaflet:

1.    What Ascorbic Acid Tablets are and what they are used for

2.    Before you take Ascorbic Acid Tablets

3.    How to take Ascorbic Acid Tablets

4.    Possible side effects

5.    How to store Ascorbic Acid Tablets

6.    Further information

1. What Ascorbic Acid Tablets are and what they are used for

These tablets contain the active ingredient, ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is the chemical name for Vitamin C. The tablets can be used to increase the amount of Vitamin C in the diet.

Vitamin C Tablets are used to treat Vitamin C deficiency including the prevention and treatment of scurvy.

2. Before you take Ascorbic Acid Tablets

Some people must not take these tablets.

Do not take these tablets if:

•    You know you are allergic to ascorbic acid or to any of the other ingredients (these are listed in Section 6)

•    You suffer from hyperoxaluria (excess oxalic acid in the urine).

You must be especially careful if:

•    You are pregnant or breastfeeding

•    You have an intolerance to some sugars. These tablets contain lactose and sucrose.

If any of the conditions above apply to you, please discuss your treatment with your doctor before taking this medicine.

Taking other medicines

Ascorbic Acid Tablets can affect some other medicines you may be taking. Make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows if you are taking an iron preparation, called desferrioxamine.

Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking. This means medicines you have bought yourself as well as those you have on prescription from your doctor.

Driving and using machinery

Ascorbic Acid Tablets should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Other special warnings

Taking Ascorbic Acid Tablets can affect the results of a number of laboratory tests. If you are going to have blood, urine or other tests make sure the doctor is aware that you are taking Ascorbic Acid Tablets.

3. How to take Ascorbic Acid Tablets

The tablets should be chewed before swallowing.

If this medicine has been given to you by your doctor, he/she will decide what dose you need to take. Always take the tablets exactly as the doctor has told you. The dose will be on the pharmacist’s label. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Carry on taking them for as long as you have been told unless you have any problems. In that case, check with your doctor.

The usual doses are as follows:

Adults, the elderly and children over 12: The usual dose is 1 to 5 tablets a day in divided doses.

Children aged 4 to 12:

The usual dose is V2 to 2V2 tablets a day in divided doses.

If you have bought the tablets yourself, take the dose described above.

If you take more tablets than you should

If you have taken a lot more tablets than you should, speak to your doctor or pharmacist straightaway.

Take your tablets or the pack with you.

If you forget to take a dose of Ascorbic Acid Tablets

If you miss a dose don’t worry. Miss this dose and carry on with the normal routine.

4. Possible side effects

Ascorbic Acid Tablets are suitable for most people, but, like all medicines they can sometimes cause side effects if you have taken too high a dose. The following have been reported:

Diarrhoea.

Passing water (urinating) frequently.

Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency taking this medicine, may develop a type of anaemia (symptoms include headache, tiredness, shortness of breath, jaundice).

If you notice any unwanted effects, even one not mentioned here, please go and see your doctor.

5. How to store Ascorbic Acid Tablets

Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Do not store above 25C. Store in the original

Continued, please turn over.

container to protect the tablets from light. Keep the container tightly closed to protect the tablets from moisture.

Do not use the tablets after the expiry date shown on the label.

If you stop taking the tablets, please take any left over back to your pharmacist to be destroyed.

6. Further Information

Ingredients

Each tablet contains 500 mg of the active ingredient, ascorbic acid. The other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, stearic acid, lactose, talc, syrup (sucrose) and pregelatinised maize starch.

What the medicine looks like

The tablets are round and white and marked “500” on one side. They are supplied to your pharmacist in packs of 28, 50, 100 or 500 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be available.

Product licence holder and manufacturer

The product licence holder is

Dalkeith Laboratories Ltd., 2 Park Street, Woburn,

Bedfordshire, MK17 9PG, UK.

Manufactured by Surepharm Services Ltd., Bretby, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE15 0YZ, UK.

Product Licence Number:

PL 17496/0015

Date of revision: January 2008.

If you would like the leaflet in a different format, please contact the licence holder at the above address.