What are the side effects of emergen C

What are the side effects of Emergen C?

What are the side effects of Emergen C? Emergen C can have various side effects that include gastrointestinal abnormalities, allergic reactions, and even muscle twitching and numbness in some individuals. Due to the chances of getting affected by these conditions, it is important to know how it works, what dosage is adequate for you, what are the basic interactions with this drug, and what other kinds of precautions you need while consuming this supplement. This article is aimed at bringing you awareness about the side effects of Emergen c and different questions associated with it.

While the pandemic has taken over the world, and people are taking precautions to stay safe from getting the virus and different other diseases, they are highly favored towards building up their immunity through vitamin C supplements. But that calls for research as people are searching for “what are the side effects of Emergen C?”

What is Emergen C?

Emergen C is mainly a vitamin C supplement with other added nutrients that work together to build up your immunity and energy levels. People can consume it by dissolving it in the water to make it like a fizzy drink. In addition to vitamin C, there are also high doses of vitamin B complexes. You can get vitamin C of ten oranges by consuming one drink made from a single tablet.

Vitamin composition

Other categories of the product include added vitamin D, Zinc, probiotics, caffeine, electrolytes, and melatonin, all separately available and can be consumed on need. Emergen C comes in gummy bears and chewable forms as well to be more acceptable for people who don’t like to consume it in a drinkable form.

Usage 

The nutritional supplement is used for both preventative and therapeutic uses in certain medical conditions and pregnancy. The vitamins tend to play an essential role in regulating the body's different functions, keeping you in good health.

Side Effects

While answering “what are the side effects of Emergen C?” we have to know the specific systems that get affected the most. The significant side effects of Emergen C include gastrointestinal abnormalities. This includes but does not restrict to the following:

• Upset stomach
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

If you are dealing with any of the symptoms after using the nutritional supplement, it is essential you consult with a medical professional as soon as possible. The situation is more likely to worsen if the taken dosage is significantly higher than the recommended Upper Limit.

Nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps occur if you ingest more than 2 grams of Vitamin C. It will also increase your probability of getting kidney stones. Moreover, it can also trigger a tingling sensation in your hands and feet. This is because Emergen C contains vitamin B6 at a high dose. If the dose exceeds the upper limit, it can cause nerve damage on extended overuse.

Another factor involved in taking too much Emergen C regularly includes copper deficiency, which occurs because of its antagonist, Zinc, taken in high quantities. That is why it is essential to consider other possible drug and nutrient interactions while consuming a product so dense in nutrient value.

The nutritional supplement can also induce allergic reactions in some individuals. This is because some people might take a specific ingredient in the product as an unaccepted foreign agent that, in turn, induces the body to enter in its defense mode. It includes the following:

• Rashes
• Swelling
• Itching on face, tongue, throat
• Dizziness
• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath

Rare side effects 

The above two were some common side effects of using the supplement. However, there are some rare cases in which individuals might face the following symptoms:

• Oxalic acid retention in urine
• Frequent urination
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Heartburn or acidity
• Fatigue

When talking about “what are the side effects of Emergen C?” considering these symptoms into account is also important to note as a way to stay prepared for any emergency situation. When any of the symptoms occur, it is essential you consult a professional in time to stay safe from any adverse situation.

How to use a tablet?

The chewable form of this medication can be either ingested through swallowing or by chewing as needed. You need to make sure you do not exceed the recommended dosage of the nutritional supplement to stay safe from the adverse effects. You can get this medication frequently to get the desired advantage of the product upon medical supervision. It is beneficial if you choose to take the medication at the same time every day.

Missed dose

If you forget to take a dose on time, you can take the next dose as soon as you remember. However, if you note the time to be near to the time of the next dosage, you can skip the previous dose. So, it is necessary you do not double the recommended dose just for the sake of catching up.

Precautions for Emergen C

It is essential to describe your allergies before a professional prescribe you with the nutritional supplement. There might be some inactive ingredients present in the medication that might cause allergic reactions in the body. You can always ask for medical advice from your medical practitioner. As you are prescribed with the medication, it is also important to tell your medical practitioner about your medical history related to gastrointestinal problems, liver problems, and alcohol intake.

 You might also be asked to get a B12 deficiency test that indicates pernicious anemia. Folic acid might interfere in the test with no treatment for this kind of anemia. It is, therefore, essential to treat the pernicious anemia beforehand as it may lead to problems like peripheral neuropathy and other nervous system indications.

The nutritional supplement might also contain the artificial sweetener, aspartame. This is not suitable for you if you have phenylketonuria or any related metabolic disorder requiring you to avoid aspartame and products, including phenylalanine.

The nutritional supplement also passes into breast milk, so it is important to tell your doctor about pregnancy or lactation.

When is it essential to take Emergen C?

Emergen C, as discussed previously, is a nutritional supplement high in vitamin C, vitamin B complexes like B6 and B12, and other nutrients such as Zinc and manganese for improved energy and immunity levels.

There are studies that reveal these nutrients contained in the product to be effective in boosting immunity in people having a nutrient deficiency. But it still remains a mystery whether it improves immunity level in individuals who already are healthy.

Vitamins are found naturally in a variety of foods. However, these nutrients are not mainly synthesized in the body except for vitamin K and vitamin B6 in low doses. On the other hand, minerals are naturally found in plants by the soil they are produced in and come to our diet as we consume them. If we do not take vitamins and minerals in adequate quantities, and this goes on for a long time, we would develop micronutrient deficiency that is often called as hidden hunger.

While these nutrients are available through a natural diet, it might not be possible for an individual to take these nutrients by diet. To make up for this lacking, some people might be recommended with nutritional supplements. However, it is highly essential to know that these supplements are not a substitute for fresh meals and hence should be only taken in exceptional cases where the individual is unable to take a healthy, balanced diet for a long time. Also, care must be taken in regard to the toxicity from the overuse of the product as these products contain a high amount of nutrients when compared to the daily value percentage requirement of different nutrients.

Are there other ways to boost immunity?

Other ways to boost your immune system is to eat a well-balanced diet, maintain your gut health, avoid overload of stress, avoid a sedentary lifestyle, and get a sufficient amount of sleep. With that said, you can increase your immunity, which will help you fight against different diseases such as getting a cold or any related virus. If you are opting for a supplement like Emergen C, it is essential to take care of all these factors as a supplement alone is not sufficient to boost your immunity.

Final word

If you want to know “what are the side effects of Emergen C?”, then the most important thing to acknowledge is the toxicity and the Upper Limit of the nutritional supplement. In moderate and recommended dosage, consuming the product is safe. However, exceeding the larger than usual doses of vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and Zinc can induce adverse effects on the stomach as well as the body’s reaction mechanism in the form of allergies. You might get an upset stomach, nerve damage in the form of peripheral neuropathy, and copper deficiency.

References

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/emergen-c-airborne-does-it-work_n_55f3709ee4b063ecbfa486c8

https://www.emergenc.com

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-170468/emergen-c-immune-plus-oral/details/list-sideeffects