Vitamin C is generally a safe vitamin that causes only rare instances of toxicity. This water-soluble vitamin must be consumed daily to maintain adequate levels in the body. The recommended daily allowance for vitamin C ranges from 75 to 90 mg for adults, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, because vitamin C offers promising health benefits for various conditions, larger doses are often recommended as part of treatment. These large doses may cause harmful side effects.
Stomach Problems
Stomach problems may occur from consuming large doses of vitamin C, as your body needs to eliminate unused quantities. Taking more than 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day can cause cramping, gas, diarrhea, nausea, gastritis and other stomach irritations. Vitamin C supplements may perform like a diuretic, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Drink plenty of water and other fluids to prevent electrolyte imbalances and dehydration.
Kidney Stones
High doses of vitamin C may increase your risk of developing kidney stones.
Some kidney stones are composed of calcium oxalate. When consumed, vitamin C can convert into oxalic acid. Over a prolonged period, oxalic acid levels can build up and not dissolve. As a result, a kidney stone can form. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, even men with stable oxalate levels can have an increased risk of developing a kidney stone by consuming more than 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women often increase their dosage of vitamins during pregnancy. Thus, pregnant women may consume large quantities of vitamins under the assumption that higher quantities generate healthy results. Pregnant women taking more than 6,000 mg of vitamin C per day place their infants at risk of developing rebound scurvy. After infants are born, their vitamin C levels immediately plummet, causing symptoms of severe vitamin C deficiency. Rebound scurvy can occur in anyone abruptly discontinuing high dosages of vitamin C consumption. Speak with your treating physician before consuming more than 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day.
Drug Interactions
Acetaminophen, chemotherapy drugs, nitrates and blood thinners may adversely react with vitamin C, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. High doses of vitamin C can prevent acetaminophen from passing in your urine, causing a buildup of this drug in your bloodstream. Vitamin C can interfere with chemotherapy drugs by countering the drug's effects. Vitamin C can react with nitrate medications prescribed for heart disease by reducing the body's tolerance to the medication. In rare cases, consuming more than 1,000 mg per day of vitamin C can counteract blood-thinning medications, causing the blood to clot.
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