Vitamin C: Intravenous Use
Vitamin C can be given intravenously to achieve much higher blood levels and enhance its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, with limited evidence of improved cancer survival when used with conventional treatments.
Intravenous vitamin C at a glance
Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient for growth, development, and healing. A natural antioxidant, it can also raise hemoglobin levels and promote iron absorption and storage. When administered intravenously, much higher blood levels are possible, enhancing its therapeutic effect against cancer growth.
Intravenous (IV) vitamin C is used to reduce some side effects of cancer treatments. Some evidence shows better tumor responses and survival, usually when used with conventional cancer treatment, along with less inflammation.
Oral vitamin C is another therapy used among people with cancer. We review it separately due to its different benefits, safety issues, access, and affordability.
CancerChoices ratings for IV vitamin C
We rate intravenous vitamin C on seven attributes, with 0 the lowest rating and 5 the highest. We rate the strength of the evidence supporting the use of intravenous vitamin C for a medical benefit, such as improving treatment outcomes or managing side effects.
See how we evaluate and rate complementary therapies ›
Improving treatment outcomes
See MorePreliminary evidence of benefit
- Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of longer survival among radiotherapy-resistant people with bone metastases treated with intravenous ascorbic acid
- Preliminary evidence of longer survival after chemotherapy among women with advanced breast cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of substantially higher rate of complete remission and longer overall survival after chemotherapy among elderly people with acute myeloid leukemia treated with low-dose intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of higher objective response ratepercentage of patients whose disease decreased after treatment to carboplatin and paclitaxel among people with chemotherapy-naïve advanced non-small cell lung cancer treated with intravenous ascorbate
No evidence of an effect
- No evidenceoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention had the described effect of an objective anticancer response among people with advanced cancer as a whole treated with intravenous vitamin C, whether with or without chemotherapy, in small uncontrolled trialsa study in which a therapy is used, but without a comparison group against which to judge outcomes; an uncontrolled trial is considered a weak study design
- No evidence of antitumor responses among people with advanced solid tumors refractory to standard therapy treated with intravenous ascorbic acid in a small uncontrolled trial
- No evidence of anticancer effects among people with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treated with infusions of ascorbic acid in an uncontrolled trial
See How can intravenous vitamin C help you? What the research says ›
Optimizing your body terrain
See MoreModest or preliminary evidence of benefit
- Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of higher markers of immune activation after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation among people with blood cancer treated with 20 g intravenous vitamin C, but no evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. with 70 mg vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of higher total white blood cell (lymphocyte) counts among people with cancer and low lymphocyte counts (lymphopenia) treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of some higher markers of immune function among people with septic shock (not specific to cancer) treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of a smaller rise in a marker of inflammation after atrial fibrillation ablation (not specific to cancer) among people treated with intravenous ascorbic acid
- Modest evidence of lower markers of oxidative stressan imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body in which antioxidant levels are lower than normal; this imbalance can cause harmful oxidation reactions in your body chemistry during surgery or a mentally stressful task among people treated with intravenous vitamin C (not specific to cancer)
No evidence of an effect
- No evidence of an effectoverall, one or more studies did not demonstrate that a treatment or intervention led to an expected outcome; this does not always mean that there is no effect in clinical practice, but that the studies may have been underpowered (too few participants) or poorly designed. Larger, well-designed studies provide more confidence in making assessments. on inflammation among people with sepsis (not specific to cancer) treated with intravenous vitamin C
See How can intravenous vitamin C help you? What the research says ›
Managing side effects and promoting wellness
See MoreGood or modest evidence of benefit
- Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less loss of appetite during standard cancer treatment among women with breast cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Modest evidence of less fatigue during conventional cancer treatment among people with cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Modest evidence of less nausea during standard cancer treatment among women with breast cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Modest evidence of less pain during or after cancer treatment among people with cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Modest evidence of less insomnia during standard cancer treatment among people with cancer, mostly breast cancer, treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Good evidencesignificant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies (randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds) (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of lower mortality and better SOFA scores, which are the sum of respiratory status, liver function, renal function, coagulation function, circulatory status, and nervous system score, among people with sepsis treated with IV vitamin C (not specific to cancer)
Preliminary evidence of benefit
- Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less nausea, vomiting, constipation, and liver or kidney dysfunction during chemotherapy among women with advanced triple-negative breast cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of less toxicity from paclitaxel/carboplatin treatment among people with ovarian cancer treated with high-dose intravenous ascorbate
- Preliminary evidence of fewer blood-related side effects, including bleeding or bruising, anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia, among people, mostly with breast cancer, treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of lower blood pressure among normotensive people with infection, cancer, or fatigue treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of less depression among people with cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of less hair loss during chemotherapy among women with advanced breast cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of less peripheral neurotoxicity during chemotherapy among women with advanced triple-negative breast cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of less dizziness during standard tumor therapy among women with breast cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of higher quality of life and improved physical and role function during or after cancer treatment among people with cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
- Preliminary evidence of less rash during chemotherapy among women with advanced triple-negative breast cancer treated with intravenous vitamin C
See How can intravenous vitamin C help you? What the research says ›
Reducing cancer risk
See MoreWe did not find any published research investigating intravenous use of vitamin C to reduce cancer risk.
Use by integrative oncology experts
See More- Not mentioned in integrative cancer clinical practice guidelines
- Used in several of our program sources
Safety
See More- Moderate caution is needed due to rare but serious side effects.
- IV vitamin C may interact with other treatments.
- Supervision by a medical professional is highly recommended.
Affordability and access
See More- Intravenous vitamin C requires a prescription.
- Moderately expensive to expensive (between $2000 US and $10,000 US), depending on the number of treatments
Keep reading about intravenous vitamin C
Authors
Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.
Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.
For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.
Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.
Last update: April 12, 2024
Last full literature review: January 2023
CancerChoices provides information about integrativein cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care, and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocialtherapy, and acupuncture therapies and self carelifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.
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