Drug & supplement interaction

Vitamin C + Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide brand name: Ascriptin Codeine #3.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide falls into 2 drug categories that Vitamin C can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Vitamin C can increase the amount of aluminum absorbed from aluminum compounds.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
Interactions2
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Vitamin C and Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 2 Interactions?

Vitamin C interacts with whole categories of medication. Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Vitamin C in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

ALUMINUM

1 of 2

Why this applies to Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide falls under ALUMINUM — the group Vitamin C interacts with.

Vitamin C can increase the amount of aluminum absorbed from aluminum compounds.
Research in animals and humans shows that vitamin C increases aluminum absorption, theoretically by chelating aluminum and keeping it in solution where it is available for absorption. In people with normal renal function, urinary excretion of aluminum will likely increase, making aluminum retention and toxicity unlikely. Patients with renal failure who take aluminum-containing compounds such as phosphate binders should avoid vitamin C supplements in doses above the recommended dietary allowances.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

The piece of this combo product that matters here is the aluminum hydroxide (an antacid ingredient). Vitamin C can grab onto aluminum and keep it dissolved, which lets your gut absorb more of it than usual. For most people with healthy kidneys, this isn't a big deal, because your body simply pees out the extra aluminum.

The real concern is for folks with kidney problems or kidney failure, especially anyone using aluminum-containing products as phosphate binders. In that case, aluminum can build up over time, and high-dose vitamin C may add to that. If that's you, it's smart to keep vitamin C at normal dietary amounts and check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking large supplement doses. The aspirin and codeine parts aren't affected by vitamin C here.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Domingo JL, Gomez M, Llobet JM, Richart C. Effect of ascorbic acid on gastrointestinal aluminum absorption (letter). Lancet 1991;338:1467.
  2. Domingo JL, Gomez M, Llobet JM, Corbella J. Influence of some dietary constituents on aluminum absorption and retention in rats. Kidney Int 1991;39:598-601. PubMed
  3. Partridge NA, Regnier FE, White JL, Hem SL. Influence of dietary constituents on intestinal absorption of aluminum. Kidney Int 1989;35:1413-7. PubMed
  4. Fairweather-Tait S, Hickson K, McGaw B, et al. Orange juice enhances aluminium absorption from antacid preparation. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1994;48(1):71-3.
Minor

ASPIRIN

2 of 2
Acidification of the urine by vitamin C might increase aspirin levels.
It has been suggested that acidification of the urine by vitamin C could increase reabsorption of salicylates by the renal tubules, and increase plasma salicylate levels. However, short-term use of up to 6 grams daily of vitamin C does not seem to affect urinary pH or salicylate excretion, suggesting this interaction is not clinically significant.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

This combination product contains aspirin, and that's the piece that interacts with vitamin C. The theory is that vitamin C makes your urine slightly more acidic, which could cause your kidneys to hold onto more of the aspirin (salicylate) instead of flushing it out. In plain terms, that might let aspirin levels creep up a bit, potentially nudging up side effects like stomach upset, ringing in the ears, or easier bruising.

Here's the reassuring part: studies looking at up to 6 grams of vitamin C a day didn't actually change urine acidity or how aspirin was cleared. So this is rated minor and unlikely to cause real problems. Normal dietary or typical supplement amounts shouldn't worry you. If you take very high doses of vitamin C regularly, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Hansten PD, Horn JR. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management. Vancouver, WA: Applied Therapeutics Inc., 1997 and updates.
  2. Mc Leod DC, Nahata MC. Inefficacy of ascorbic acid as a urinary acidifier (letter). N Engl J Med 1977;296:1413. DOI
  3. Hansten PD, Hayton WL. Effect of antacid and ascorbic acid on serum salicylate concentration. J Clin Pharmacol 1980;20:326-31. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Vitamin C Also Interacts With Other Medications

Vitamin C has 100 moderate, 106 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 100 Minor 106 No known interaction 2,624 (incl. Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Vitamin C

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Vitamin C. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Vitamin C or Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Vitamin C or Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide

This page covers Vitamin C only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide page lists 293 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: 1,4-butanediol (major), Activated Charcoal (major), Asarabacca (major), Beer (major) and Danshen (major).

By severity: 8 major · 246 moderate · 39 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide page

“Bleeding dominates the supplement list for Ascriptin Codeine #3, which pairs aspirin and codeine with two antacid ingredients. Of 293 interactions on file, 8 are rated major, and this combination pill earns real caution.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Vitamin C as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 36,382 real supplement products containing Vitamin C, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Vitamin C. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide too, on top of Vitamin C — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Vitamin C and Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Vitamin C
Most looked up

#1 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide
Top 25%

#333 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Vitamin C

What is Vitamin C?

  • Common cold and immune support
  • Antioxidant support
  • Skin health and collagen formation
  • Wound healing
  • Preventing or treating scurvy
  • Improving iron absorption

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential nutrient your body needs but cannot make, so you must get it from food or supplements. It's important for immune function, collagen, and acts as an antioxidant, but taking large doses doesn't prevent colds for most people and may cause stomach upset. Most people get enough from a balanced diet, so check with your pharmacist or doctor before taking high-dose supplements.

Read the full Vitamin C monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Vitamin C

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Vitamin C — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
100Moderate
106Minor
2,623No known interaction
100 Moderate 106 Minor 2,623 No interaction
Moderate

100 interactions

Showing 60 of 100 moderate interactions — see all 100 on the Vitamin C page.

Minor

106 interactions

Showing 60 of 106 minor interactions — see all 106 on the Vitamin C page.

No interaction 2,623 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Vitamin C against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,623 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Vitamin C list.

See the full Vitamin C interactions page
See every supplement checked against Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Vitamin C monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Vitamin C and Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Vitamin C with Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Vitamin C and Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide?
Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide belongs to more than one drug category, and Vitamin C interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Vitamin C and Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.