ASCOR (Ascorbic Acid Injection for Intravenous Use): Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interactions, Warning

PROFESSIONAL CONSUMER SIDE EFFECTS

Drug Description

What is Ascor and how is it used?

Ascor (ascorbic acid injection) 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.

What are side effects of Ascor?

Common side effects of Ascor include pain and swelling at the site of infusion. Rapid intravenous administration of Ascor may cause:

temporary faintness,
nausea,
lethargy,
flushing,
dizziness, and
headache

DESCRIPTION

ASCOR (ascorbic acid injection) for intravenous use is a colorless to pale yellow, preservative-free, hypertonic, sterile, nonpyrogenic solution of ascorbic acid. ASCOR must be diluted with an appropriate infusion solution (e.g. 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, Sterile Water for Injection, USP) [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

The chemical name of Ascorbic Acid is L-ascorbic acid. The molecular formula is C₆H₈O₆. It has the following structural formula:

ASCOR (ascorbic acid) Structural Formula Illustration

Each ASCOR, 50 mL, Pharmacy Bulk Package vial contains 25,000 mg ascorbic acid, equivalent to 28,125 mg sodium ascorbate.

Each mL of ASCOR contains 500 mg of ascorbic acid (equivalent to 562.5 mg of sodium ascorbate which amounts to 65 mg sodium/mL of ASCOR), 0.25 mg of edetate disodium, and water for injection. Sodium hydroxide and sodium bicarbonate are added for pH adjustment (pH range 5.6 to 6.6). It contains no bacteriostatic or antimicrobial agent.

Indications & Dosage

INDICATIONS

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.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Important Preparation And Administration Instructions

ASCOR vials contain 25, 000 mg of ascorbic acid and the largest recommended single dose is 200 mg. Do not give the entire contents of the vial to a single patient.
Do not administer ASCOR as an undiluted intravenous sensitive.
Minimize exposure to light because ASCOR is light sensitive.
ASCOR is supplied as a Pharmacy Bulk Package (PBP) which is intended for dispensing of single doses to multiple patients in a pharmacy admixture program and is restricted to the preparation of admixtures for infusion:
1. Use only in a suitable ISO Class 5 work area such as a laminar flow hood (or an equivalent clean air compounding area)
2. Penetrate each PBP vial closure only one time with a suitable sterile transfer device or dispensing set that allows measured dispensing of the contents. Given that pressure may develop within the vial during storage, excercise caution when withdrawing contents from the vial.
3. Once the closure system has been penetrated, complete all dispensing from the PBP vial within 4 hours. Each dose must be used immediately. Discard unused portion.
4. Prior to administration, ASCOR must be diluted in a suitable infusion solution and the final solution for infusion must be isotonic (undiluted the osmolarity of ASCOR is approximately 5,900 mOsmol/L). Prior to preparing the admixture for infusion, calculate the osmolarity of the intended admixture for infusion. Add one daily dose of ASCOR directly to an appropriate volume of a suitable infusion solution (e.g., 5% Dextrose Injection, Sterile Water for Injection) and add appropriate solutes, as necessary, to make final solution isotonic. Sterile Water for Injection is highly hypotonic; adjust solute content, as necessary, to make thet final infusion solution isotonic prior to injection. Do not mix ASCOR with solutions containing elemental compounds that can be reduced (e.g., copper). The concentration of ascorbic acid in the final, admixture solution for infusion is to be the range of 1 to 25 mg of ascorbic acid per mL. For example, for the largest recommended dose:
  Add 200 mg of ascorbic acid (equivalent to 0.4 mL of ASCOR) to 7.5 mL of Sterile Water for Injection to produce an infusion solution having an approximate osmolarity of 290 mOsmol/L. In this specific example, addition of solute is NOT necessary because the solution is isotonic.
5. Prepare the recommended dose based on the patient population [ see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].
6. Visually inspect for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration (the diluted ASCOR solution should appear colorless to pale yellow).
7. Immediately administer the admixture for infusion as a slow intravenous infusion [ see Recommended Dosage]

Recommended Dosage

Table 1 provides recommended doses of ASCOR based on patient population and infusion rates of diluted ASCOR solution.

Table 1: Recommended Dose of ASCOR and Infusion Rate of Diluted ASCOR Solution

Patient Population	ASCOR Once Daily Dose (mg)	Infusion Rate of Diluted ASCOR Solution (mg/minute)
Pediatric Patients age 5 months to less than 12 months	50	1.3
Pediatric Patients age 1 year to less than 11 years	100	3.3
Adults and Pediatric Patients 11 years and older	200	33

The recommended maximum duration of daily treatment with ASCOR is seven days. If no improvement in scorbutic symptoms is observed after one week of treatment, retreat until resolution of scorbutic symptoms is observed.

Repeat dosing is not recommended in pediatric patients less than 11 years of age.

Dosage Reductions In Specific Populations

Women who are pregnant or lactating and patients with glucose-6-dehydrogenase deficiency should not exceed the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or daily Adequate Intake (AI) level for ascorbic acid for their age group and condition [ see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Injection: 25,000 mg/50 mL (500 mg/mL) supplied as a Pharmacy Bulk Package (clear, colorless to pale yellow solution)

Storage And Handling

ASCOR for intravenous use is a colorless to pale yellow solution supplied as:

NDC 67157-101-50 One 25,000 mg/50 mL (500 mg/mL) Pharmacy Bulk Package vial
NDC 67157-101-51 Tray pack of twenty five 25,000 mg/50 mL (500 mg/mL) Pharmacy Bulk Package vials

Store in a refrigerator at 2° to 8°C (36° to 46°F).

Protect from light. This product contains no preservative. See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, for detailed instructions on preparation, dilution, and administration of ASCOR.

Manufactured By: McGuff Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Santa Ana, CA 92704. Revised: Dec 2020

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the labeling:

Oxalate nephropathy and Nephrolithiasis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
Hemolysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

The following adverse reactions associated with the use of ascorbic acid were identified in the literature. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure:

Administration site reactions: 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 (the recommended infusion rates of diluted ASCOR solution are 1.3 mg/minute (Pediatric Patients age 5 months to less than 12 months), 3.3 mg/minute (Pediatric Patients age 1 year to less than 11 years) and 33 mg/minute (Adults and Pediatric Patients 11 years and older) [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION] ) .

Acute and chronic oxalate nephropathy have occurred with prolonged administration of high doses of ascorbic acid [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]. In patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency severe hemolysis has occurred [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Drug Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Antibiotics

Ascorbic acid may decrease activities of erythromycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, doxycycline, and lincomycin. Bleomycin is inactivated in vitro by ascorbic acid. If the antibiotic efficacy is suspected to be decreased by concomitant administration of ASCOR, discontinue ASCOR administration.

Amphetamine & Other Drugs Affected By Urine Acidification

Ascorbic acid may acidify the urine and lower serum concentrations of amphetamine by increasing renal excretion (as reflected by changes in amphetamine urine recovery rates). In case of decreased amphetamine efficacy discontinue ASCOR administration. Standard monitoring of therapy is warranted.

In addition, acidification of urine by ascorbic acid will alter the excretion of certain drugs affected by the pH of the urine (e.g., fluphenazine) when administered concurrently. It has been reported that concurrent administration of ascorbic acid and fluphenazine has resulted in decreased fluphenazine plasma concentrations. Standard monitoring of therapy is warranted.

Warfarin

Limited case reports have suggested interference of ascorbic acid with the anticoagulation effects of warfarin, however, patients on warfarin therapy treated with ascorbic acid doses up to 1000 mg/day (5 times the largest recommended single dose) for 2 weeks (twice the maximum recommended duration), no effect was observed. Standard monitoring for anti-coagulation therapy should continue during ascorbic acid treatment, as per standard of care.

Laboratory Test Interference

Because ascorbic acid is a strong reducing agent, it can interfere with numerous laboratory tests based on oxidation-reduction reactions (e.g., glucose, nitrite and bilirubin levels, leukocyte count, etc.). Chemical detecting methods based on colorimetric reactions are generally those tests affected. Ascorbic acid may lead to inaccurate results (false negatives) obtained for checking blood or urinary glucose levels, nitrite, bilirubin, and leukocytes if tested during or within 24 hours after infusion [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Warnings & Precautions

WARNINGS

Included as part of the PRECAUTIONS section.

PRECAUTIONS

Oxalate Nephropathy And Nephrolithiasis

Acute and chronic oxalate nephropathy have been reported with prolonged administration of high doses of ascorbic acid. Acidification of the urine by ascorbic acid may cause precipitation of cysteine, urate or oxalate stones. Patients with renal disease including renal impairment, history of oxalate kidney stones, and geriatric patients may be at increased risk for oxalate nephropathy while receiving treatment with ascorbic acid. Pediatric patients less than 2 years of age may be at increased risk for oxalate nephropathy during treatment with ascorbic acid because their kidneys are immature [see Use In Specific Populations]. Monitor renal function in patients at increased risk receiving ASCOR. Discontinue ASCOR in patients who develop oxalate nephropathy and treat any suspected oxalate nephropathy.

ASCOR is not indicated for prolonged administration (the maximum recommended duration is one week) [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Hemolysis In Patients With Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency

Hemolysis has been reported with administration of ascorbic acid in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Patients with glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase may be at increased risk for severe hemolysis during treatment with ascorbic acid. Monitor hemoglobin and blood count and use a reduced dose of ASCOR in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION]. Discontinue treatment with ASCOR if hemolysis is suspected and treat as needed.

Laboratory Test Interference

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 [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

Carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and fertility studies have not been performed with ASCOR.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

There are no available data on use of ASCOR in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk of adverse developmental outcomes; however, use of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been used during pregnancy for several decades and no adverse developmental outcomes are reported in the published literature [see Data]. There are dose adjustments for ascorbic acid (vitamin C) use during pregnancy [see Clinical Considerations].

Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with ASCOR.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations

Dose Adjustments During Pregnancy And Post-Partum Period

Follow the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for pregnant women when considering use of ASCOR for treatment of scurvy [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Data

Human Data

There are no available data on use of ASCOR or another ascorbic acid injection in pregnant women. However, a published metaâ€“analysis of randomized studies evaluating a large number of pregnant women who took oral ascorbic acid (vitamin C) (through diet and supplementation) at doses ranging from 500 to1000 mg/day (2.5 to 5 times the recommended daily intravenous dose, respectively) [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION] between the 9th and 16^th weeks of pregnancy showed no increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery or pregnancy induced hypertension when compared to placebo. These data cannot definitely establish or exclude the absence of a risk with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) during pregnancy.

Lactation

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in human milk following intravenous dosing in lactating women. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is present in human milk after maternal oral intake. Maternal oral intake of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) exceeding the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for lactation does not influence the ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content in breast milk or the estimated daily amount received by breastfed infants. There are no data on the effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on milk production or the breastfed infant. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the motherâ€™s clinical need for ASCOR and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from ASCOR or from the underlying maternal condition. Follow the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for lactating women when considering use of ASCOR for treatment of scurvy [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

Pediatric Use

ASCOR is indicated for the short term (up to 1 week) treatment of scurvy in pediatric patients age 5 months and older for whom oral administration is not possible, insufficient or contraindicated. The safety profile of ascorbic acid in pediatric patients is similar to adults; however, pediatric patients less than 2 years of age may be at higher risk of oxalate nephropathy following ascorbic acid administration due to age-related decreased glomerular filtration [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

ASCOR is not indicated for use in pediatric patients less than 5 months of age.

Geriatric Use

Glomerular filtration rate is known to decrease with age and as such may increase risk for oxalate nephropathy following ascorbic acid administration in elderly population [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Renal Impairment

ASCOR should be used with caution in scorbutic patients with a history of or risk of developing renal oxalate stones or evidence of renal impairment or other issues (e.g., patients on dialysis, patients with diabetic nephropathy, and renal transplant recipients). These patients may be at increased risk of developing acute or chronic oxalate nephropathy following high dose ascorbic acid administration [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Overdosage & Contraindications

OVERDOSE

Overdose with ascorbic acid may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, facial flushing, rash, headache, fatigue or disturbed sleep. If overdose of ASCOR occurs, immediately discontinue administration and treat symptoms and signs of overdose, avoiding additional intake of ascorbic acid.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

Clinical Pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Mechanism Of Action

The exact mechanism of action of ascorbic acid for the treatment of symptoms and signs of scurvy (a disorder caused by severe deficiency in vitamin C) is unknown; however, administration of ascorbic acid in patients with scurvy is thought to restore the body pool of ascorbic acid.

Pharmacokinetics

In a single pharmacokinetic study, healthy male and female adults (n=8) were given a single intravenous dose of 1000 mg ascorbic acid (5 times the largest recommended single dose) infused over a 30 minute period. The mean peak exposure to ascorbic acid was 436.2 μM and occurred at the end of the 30 minute infusion.

Distribution

Ascorbic acid is distributed widely in the body, with large concentrations found in the liver, leukocytes, platelets, glandular tissues, and lens of the eye. Based on data from oral exposure, ascorbic acid is known to be distributed into breast milk and crosses the placental barrier.

Elimination

When the body is saturated with ascorbic acid, the plasma concentration will be about the same as that of the renal threshold; if further amounts are then administered, most of it is excreted in the urine. When body tissues are not saturated and plasma concentration is low, administration of ascorbic acid results in little or no renal excretion. The mean±SD (N=3) half-life observed in the single dose PK study as described above, was 7.4±1.4 h.

Metabolism

A major route of metabolism of ascorbic acid involves its conversion to urinary oxalate, presumably through intermediate formation of its oxidized product, dehydroascorbic acid.

Excretion

There is a renal threshold for ascorbic acid (Vitamin C); the vitamin is excreted by the kidney in large amounts only when the plasma concentration exceeds this threshold, which is approximately 1.4 mg/100 mL.

Medication Guide

PATIENT INFORMATION

Inform patients that treatment with ASCOR may increase their risk of oxalate nephropathy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Inform patients that treatment with ASCOR may impact laboratory results, including blood and urine glucose tests, up to 24 hours after infusion [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Inform patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency that treatment with ASCOR may increase their risk of hemolysis [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

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