MEGA-C-ACID

Merit Pharmaceutical
Merit Pharmaceutical

ASCORBIC ACID INJECTION, USP Rx Only FOR INTRAVENOUS, INTRAMUSCULAR OR SUBCUTANEOUS USE. CONTAINS NO PRESERVATIVES.

FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION:

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is a water-soluble vitamin.  It occurs as a white or slightly yellow crystal or powder with a light acidic taste.  It is an antiscorbutic product.  On exposure to air it gradually darkens.  In the dry state it is reasonable stable in air, but in solution it rapidly oxidizes.  Ascorbic Acid is freely soluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in chloroform, ether and benzene.

The chemical name of Ascorbic Acid is L-ascorbic acid.  The molecular formula is C₆H₈O₆ and the molecular weight is 176.13.

Ascorbic Acid injection is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow sterile solution of Ascorbic Acid in Water for Injection, for intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous use.  Each ml contains:  Accorbic Acid 500 mg, Disodium Edetate 0.25mg, Sodium Hydroxide 110mg, in Water for Injection q.s. pH (range 5.5-7.0) adjusted with Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Hydroxide.  Contains no preservatives.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY:

In humans, an exogenous source of ascorbic acid is required for collagen formation and tissue repair.  Ascorbic acid is reversibly oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid in the body.  These two forms of the vitamin are believed to be important in oxidation-reduction reactions.  The vitamin is involved in tyrosine metabolism, conversion of folic acid to folinic acid, carbohydrate metabolism, synthesis of lipids and proteins, iron metabolism, resistance to infections and cellular respiration.

Ascorbic acid deficiency results in scurvy.  Collagenous structures are primarily affected, lesions develop in bones and blood vessels.  Administration of ascorbic acid completely reverses the symptoms of ascorbic acid deficiency.

Uses

INDICATIONS AND USAGE:

Ascorbic acid is recommended for the prevention and treatment of scurvy.  Its parenteral administration is desirable for patients with an acute deficiency or for those whose absorption of orally ingested ascorbic acid is uncertain.

Symptoms of mild deficiency may include faulty bone and tooth development, gingivitis, bleeding gums, and loosened teeth.  Febrile states, chronic illness and infection (pneumonia, whooping cough, tuberculosis, diphtheria, sinusitis, rheumatic fever, etc) increase the need for ascorbic acid.

Hemovascular disorders, burns, delayed fracture and wound healing are indicators for an increase in the daily intake.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

There are no contraindications to the administration of ascorbic acid.

WARNINGS:

Diabetics, patients prone to recurrent renal calculi, those undergoing stool occult blood tests and those on sodium restricted diets or anticoagulant therapy should not take excessive doses of ascorbic acid over an extended period of time.

PRECAUTIONS:

General Precautions:  Too-rapid intravenous injection is to be avoided.

Laboratory Tests - Diabetics taking more than 500 mg of ascorbic acid daily, may obtain false reading of the urinary glucose test.  No exogenous ascorbic acid should be ingested for 48 to 72 hours before amine dependent stool occult blood tests are conducted because possible false-negative results my occur.

Drug Interactions - Limited evidence suggests that ascorbic acid may influence the intensity and duration of action of bishydroxycoumarin.

Usage in Pregnancy - Pregnancy Category C - Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Ascorbic Acid injection.  It is also not known whether Ascorbic Acid Injection can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.  Ascorbic Acid Injection should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers - Caution should be exercised when Ascorbic Acid Injection is administered to a nursing woman.

ADVERSE REACTIONS:

Transient mild soreness may occur at the site of intramuscular or subcutaneous injection.  Too rapid intravenous administration of the solution may cause temporary faintness or dizziness.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:

Ascorbic Acid is usually administered orally.  When oral administration is not feasible or when malabsorption is suspected, the drug may be administered intramuscularly, intravenously or subcutaneously.  When given parenterally, utilization of the vitamin is best after IM administration which is the preferred parenteral route.

For intravenous injection, dilution into a large volume parenteral such as Normal Saline or Glucose is recommended to minimize the adverse reactions associated with intravenous injection.

The average protective dose of ascorbic acid for adults is 70 to 150 mg daily.  In the presence of scurvy, doses of 300 mg to 1 gram daily are recommended.  However, as much as 6 grams have been administered parenterally to normal adults without the evidence of toxicity.

To enhance wound healing, doses of 300 to 500 mg daily for a week to 10 days, both preoperatively and postoperatively, are generally considered adequate, although considerably larger amounts have been recommended.  In the treatment of burns, doses are governed by the extent of tissue injury.  For severe burns, daily doses of 1 to 2 grams are recommended.  In other conditions in which the need for ascorbic acid is increased, three to five times the daily optimum allowances appear to be adequate.

WARNING

PRESSURE MAY DEVELOP WITHIN THE VIAL UPON STORAGE:  Exercise care when withdrawing and/or relieve pressure by first inserting sterile empty syringe into vial thus allowing pressure to equilibrate.

When using dispensing vials use aseptic technique.  Dispense entire contents in aliquots under a laminar flow hood without delay or within 4 hours after entry or discard remaining contents after first withdrawal.  Prepare stoppers with a suitable antiseptic solution.  Do not use unless solution is clear and seal is intact.

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever the solution and container permit.

HOW SUPPLIED:  Ascorbic Acid Injection, USP (500 mg/mL)

NDC 30727-339-90      50 mL Sterile Dispensing Vial      Individually Packaged

PROTECT FROM LIGHT.  STORE IN CARTON UNTIL TIME OF USE.  Store between 2-8 deg C (36-46 deg F).

Manufactured for Merit

Issue Date:  08/00
IN5050
MG #14232

Revision Date:  February 2009.

0397L102