VITAMIN C

35/100 · Moderate

Manufactured by FlexiGo Inc

Vitamin C Adverse Events: Mostly Mild, with Serious Cases Notable

292,848 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About VITAMIN C

VITAMIN C is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by FlexiGo Inc. Based on analysis of 292,848 FDA adverse event reports, VITAMIN C has a safety score of 35 out of 100. This lower score reflects a significant number of adverse event reports, suggesting that patients should discuss potential risks carefully with their healthcare provider. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for VITAMIN C include FATIGUE, HEADACHE, PAIN, NAUSEA, DIARRHOEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for VITAMIN C.

AI Safety Analysis

Vitamin C has a safety concern score of 35 out of 100, placing it in the moderate concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 292,848 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Flexigo Inc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Fatigue, Headache, Pain. Of classified reports, 58.8% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Most reported reactions are mild to moderate in severity.

Serious adverse events account for nearly 60% of all reports, indicating a need for careful monitoring. A wide variety of reactions are reported, suggesting potential for diverse side effects.

Patients taking Vitamin C should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Vitamin C is generally well-tolerated, but users should be aware of potential serious reactions and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 35/100

Vitamin C received a safety concern score of 35/100 (moderate concern). This is based on a 58.8% serious event ratio across 87,330 classified reports. The score accounts for 292,848 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This moderate score is typical for widely prescribed medications with established safety profiles.

Top Adverse Reactions

FATIGUE10,538 reports
HEADACHE7,515 reports
PAIN7,359 reports
NAUSEA7,314 reports
DIARRHOEA7,110 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE6,979 reports
OFF LABEL USE6,977 reports
DYSPNOEA5,571 reports
ARTHRALGIA5,386 reports
DIZZINESS5,275 reports
RASH5,028 reports
ASTHENIA4,895 reports
VOMITING4,572 reports
PRURITUS4,053 reports
MALAISE3,856 reports
INSOMNIA3,799 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY3,677 reports
FALL3,610 reports
PYREXIA3,532 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS3,453 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED3,451 reports
PNEUMONIA3,432 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING3,369 reports
HYPERTENSION3,358 reports
JOINT SWELLING3,296 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED3,254 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED3,240 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER3,212 reports
DECREASED APPETITE3,212 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT3,188 reports
ALOPECIA3,184 reports
CONSTIPATION3,153 reports
BACK PAIN3,115 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS3,059 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY2,902 reports
COUGH2,899 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA2,859 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY2,854 reports
SINUSITIS2,852 reports
ANXIETY2,805 reports
DEATH2,738 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS2,680 reports
URTICARIA2,675 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION2,624 reports
SWELLING2,508 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED2,451 reports
DEPRESSION2,443 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE2,412 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE2,403 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE2,398 reports
INFECTION2,307 reports
CHEST PAIN2,257 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION2,187 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION2,167 reports
ASTHMA2,151 reports
PARAESTHESIA2,151 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN2,142 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE2,132 reports
ARTHROPATHY2,131 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL2,129 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE2,115 reports
MOBILITY DECREASED2,072 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS2,036 reports
COVID 192,035 reports
CONTUSION2,021 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT2,008 reports
PSORIATIC ARTHROPATHY2,005 reports
DRY MOUTH1,992 reports
STOMATITIS1,987 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION1,974 reports
WOUND1,923 reports
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS1,898 reports
GLOSSODYNIA1,875 reports
WHEEZING1,868 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE1,852 reports
BLOOD CHOLESTEROL INCREASED1,851 reports
SLEEP DISORDER1,849 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE1,818 reports
FIBROMYALGIA1,811 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDER1,809 reports
BLISTER1,807 reports
CONTRAINDICATED PRODUCT ADMINISTERED1,795 reports
IMPAIRED HEALING1,779 reports
PEMPHIGUS1,770 reports
SYNOVITIS1,745 reports
LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION1,733 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS1,729 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED1,722 reports
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS1,715 reports
ERYTHEMA1,682 reports
HAND DEFORMITY1,679 reports
TREATMENT FAILURE1,669 reports
PERICARDITIS1,666 reports
MIGRAINE1,656 reports
DYSPEPSIA1,654 reports
INJURY1,639 reports
SOMNOLENCE1,628 reports
DISCOMFORT1,575 reports
NIGHT SWEATS1,565 reports
HELICOBACTER INFECTION1,562 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High number of reports of fatigue, headache, and pain.
  • Significant number of serious reactions including pneumonia, asthma, and death.
  • Diverse range of reactions including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and musculoskeletal issues.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 55,956, Male: 25,212, Unknown: 46. The most frequently reported age groups are age 64 (1,531 reports), age 66 (1,484 reports), age 71 (1,474 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 87,330 classified reports for VITAMIN C:

  • Serious: 51,359 reports (58.8%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 35,971 reports (41.2%)
Serious 58.8%Non-Serious 41.2%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female55,956 (68.9%)
Male25,212 (31.0%)
Unknown46 (0.1%)

Reports by Age

Age 641,531 reports
Age 661,484 reports
Age 711,474 reports
Age 701,438 reports
Age 721,432 reports
Age 671,427 reports
Age 691,424 reports
Age 681,420 reports
Age 631,417 reports
Age 651,411 reports
Age 431,371 reports
Age 751,362 reports
Age 441,357 reports
Age 591,351 reports
Age 621,351 reports
Age 581,341 reports
Age 731,338 reports
Age 771,329 reports
Age 761,326 reports
Age 611,304 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Vitamin C is generally well-tolerated, but users should be aware of potential serious reactions and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Vitamin C, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include fatigue, headache, pain, nausea, diarrhoea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Consult a healthcare provider before taking Vitamin C if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. Monitor for any unusual symptoms and report them to your healthcare provider. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor Vitamin C for safety, and updates will be provided as necessary. Consumers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Vitamin C?

The FDA has received approximately 292,848 adverse event reports associated with Vitamin C. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Vitamin C?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Vitamin C include Fatigue, Headache, Pain, Nausea, Diarrhoea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Fatigue (10,538 reports), Headache (7,515 reports), Pain (7,359 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Vitamin C.

What percentage of Vitamin C adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 87,330 classified reports, 51,359 (58.8%) were classified as serious and 35,971 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Vitamin C (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Vitamin C break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 55,956, Male: 25,212, Unknown: 46. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Vitamin C?

The most frequently reported age groups for Vitamin C adverse events are: age 64: 1,531 reports, age 66: 1,484 reports, age 71: 1,474 reports, age 70: 1,438 reports, age 72: 1,432 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Vitamin C?

The primary manufacturer associated with Vitamin C adverse event reports is Flexigo Inc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Vitamin C?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Vitamin C include: Drug Ineffective, Off Label Use, Dyspnoea, Arthralgia, Dizziness. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Vitamin C?

You can report adverse events from Vitamin C to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Vitamin C's safety score and what does it mean?

Vitamin C has a safety concern score of 35 out of 100 (moderate concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Most reported reactions are mild to moderate in severity.

What are the key safety signals for Vitamin C?

Key safety signals identified in Vitamin C's adverse event data include: High number of reports of fatigue, headache, and pain.. Significant number of serious reactions including pneumonia, asthma, and death.. Diverse range of reactions including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and musculoskeletal issues.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Vitamin C interact with other drugs?

Vitamin C is generally well-tolerated, but users should be aware of potential serious reactions and consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or worsen. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Vitamin C.

What should patients know before taking Vitamin C?

Consult a healthcare provider before taking Vitamin C if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. Monitor for any unusual symptoms and report them to your healthcare provider.

Are Vitamin C side effects well-documented?

Vitamin C has 292,848 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Serious adverse events account for nearly 60% of all reports, indicating a need for careful monitoring. The volume of reports for Vitamin C reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Vitamin C?

The FDA continues to monitor Vitamin C for safety, and updates will be provided as necessary. Consumers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to VITAMIN C based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

Vitamin CMedication XMedication Y
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.