Scurvy and Critical Illness - Ascor® Ascorbic Acid Injection USP

Be Prepared to Treat Scurvy in Critically Ill Patients with ASCOR^®

Despite receiving standard ICU nutritional support, as many as 1/3 of critically ill patients may have ascorbic acid levels low enough to be scorbutic ¹
A study reports that 22% of patients with community-acquired pneumonia had Vitamin C deficiency (defined as plasma Vitamin C level less than 11 µmol/L.) ²
Critically ill patients are at increased risk for Vitamin C depletion due to inflammation and increased metabolic consumption caused by oxidative stress and increased reactive oxygen species production ¹
In addition to increased metabolic consumption of Vitamin C in critical illness, absorption of Vitamin C may also be negatively impacted. For example, patients with severe sepsis experience an explosive cytokine release which interferes with the cellular regulation of Vitamin C absorption. ³

If your critically ill patients who are unable to take oral Vitamin C show signs and symptoms of scurvy, prescribe ASCOR^®, the only FDA-approved ascorbic acid injection.

Click here to learn more about the signs and symptoms of scurvy

Carr, A. et. Al. Critical Care 2017; 21: 300. Hypovitaminosis C and vitamin C deficiency in critically ill patients despite recommended enteral and parenteral intakes - PubMed (nih.gov)
Carr A.C., et al. Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia Exhibit Depleted Vitamin C Status and Elevated Oxidative Stress. Nutrients. 2020; 12: 1318.
Kashiouris, M, et al. The Emerging Role of Vitamin C as a Treatment for Sepsis. Nutrients. 2020; 12: 292.

Indication & Important Safety Information

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.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications: None.

Administration site reactions include pain and swelling.

ASCOR^® should not be rapidly administered. Rapid intravenous administration (>250 mg/minute) of ASCOR^® may cause temporary faintness or nausea, lethargy, flushing, dizziness, and headache.

Acute and chronic oxalate nephropathy have occurred with prolonged administration of high doses of ascorbic acid. ASCOR^® is not indicated for prolonged administration. The maximum recommended duration is one week.

In patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency severe hemolysis has occurred.

Ascorbic acid may interfere with laboratory tests based on oxidation-reduction reactions, including blood and urine glucose testing, nitrite and bilirubin levels, and leucocyte count testing. If possible, laboratory tests based on oxidation-reduction reactions should be delayed until 24 hours after infusion of ASCOR^®.

Please see accompanying Full Prescribing Information for ASCOR^®.