Medicine
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

How do I Choose the Best Vitamin C Drops?

Alex Tree
Alex Tree

Choosing the best vitamin C drops heavily depends on what factors are important to you. Some vitamin C drops are designed to soothe a sore throat, cough, or both. Others are simply made to taste good while getting a healthy dose of vitamin C. In addition, choosing an off-brand vitamin C product over a well-known brand that does business internationally can save money. Lastly, you can avoid over-dosage side effects by considering any other vitamin C supplements you currently take before adding additional vitamin C.

Vitamin C lozenges, a type of medicated candy, have benefits other than nutritional value. Besides providing up to the daily recommended dose per drop, their additional ingredients can soothe a scratchy or sore throat and ease a cough. These products are normally targeted to people who are sick with the common cold. If you are not sick, it is better to choose vitamin C drops that are not medicated. Even if you are sick, this type of cough drop should not be taken casually, with most manufacturers recommending no more than two drops per day.

Cough drops can soothe a throat sore from coughing.
Cough drops can soothe a throat sore from coughing.

Plain vitamin C drops that do not offer cold symptom relief tend to taste more like candy. Popular flavors are orange, strawberry, and watermelon. Normally, each drop gives the user the daily recommended value of vitamin C. Unlike their medicated counterparts, many non-medicated drops do not have a hard limit in which the user should stop taking them. This supplement drop is best chosen by people who would like more vitamin C in their daily diet but wish for it to have a pleasant taste.

Someone should take vitamin C drops that are not medicated when they are not sick.
Someone should take vitamin C drops that are not medicated when they are not sick.

Consider what other vitamin C supplements or foods you are consuming that contain a good amount of vitamin C before adding vitamin C drops to your diet. The risk of an accidental fatal overdose is nearly non-existent, but other complications may arise when ingesting too much of this vitamin. Diarrhea, nausea, and headaches are common signs of taking very large doses of vitamin C. It may be best to choose a drop with a lower dosage of vitamin C if you plan to consume many of them.

Vitamin C lozenges have the added benefit of soothing a scratchy or sore throat.
Vitamin C lozenges have the added benefit of soothing a scratchy or sore throat.

The price of vitamin C drops depends on a lot of factors. In general, vitamin C drops that temporarily reduce common cold symptoms may cost more than simple vitamin C supplements. Off-brands are typically less expensive than well-known brands, but can have the same amount of vitamin C in addition to a similar taste. If price is not particularly important, focus on other aspects of choosing the best vitamin C drops.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Cough drops can soothe a throat sore from coughing.
      By: ramonespelt
      Cough drops can soothe a throat sore from coughing.
    • Someone should take vitamin C drops that are not medicated when they are not sick.
      By: Mark Herreid
      Someone should take vitamin C drops that are not medicated when they are not sick.
    • Vitamin C lozenges have the added benefit of soothing a scratchy or sore throat.
      By: kostrez
      Vitamin C lozenges have the added benefit of soothing a scratchy or sore throat.
    • Large doses of vitamin C may cause headache and fatigue.
      By: lithian
      Large doses of vitamin C may cause headache and fatigue.