COMPLEMENTARY medicines such as vitamins are often considered generally safe, but a new report published in the latest edition of the MJA has reported on a high vitamin C dose with almost fatal consequences.
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an enzymatic disorder of red blood cells most common in people of Mediterranean, African and Asian descent and can experience episodic haemolytic anaemia and even death following exposure to infection, drugs or chemicals.
In the MJA reported case, the patient concerned survived "but required prolonged hospitalisation and intensive haematological and dialysis support, resulting in substantial costs to health and significant distress to the patient and his family" - mja.com.au.
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