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Pharmacotherapeutic group: Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), plain. ATC code: A11GA01.
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Ascorbic acid, a water-soluble vitamin, is essential for formation of collagen and intercellular material, and therefore necessary for the development of cartilage, bone, teeth and for the healing of wounds. It is also essential for the conversion from folic acid to folinic acid, facilitates iron absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract and influences haemoglobin formation and erythrocyte maturation.
Pharmacokinetics: Distribution: Widely distributed in body tissues with about 25% bound to plasma proteins. Large amounts are present in leucocytes and platelets. Ascorbic acid crosses the placenta.
Metabolism: Readily oxidised to dehydroascorbic acid where some is metabolised to oxalic acid and the inactive ascorbate-2-sulphate. Metabolic turnover appears to be greater in females than males.
Excretion: Large doses are rapidly excreted in the urine when in excess of the requirements of the body and after an intravenous dose, about 40% is excreted in 8 hours, which is increased to about 70% after tissue saturation. The amount of unchanged drug is dose dependent; in women the excretion of ascorbic acid appears to vary with the stage of the menstrual cycle and it is decreased when taking oral contraceptives.
Ascorbic acid is excreted in breast milk.
Oxalic acid and ascorbate-2-sulphate are excreted in the urine.
Toxicology: Preclinical safety data: Not stated.
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