Brief Psychotic Episode After Vitamin C Overdose Due to Fear of Getting COVID-19

Abstract

Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) caused by the new coronavirus SARSCoV-2 is a global public health problem. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is low-cost, safe, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating, and has viral load-reducing effects when taken as a supplement. In addition, vitamin C neutralizes free radicals and protects the body against cellular damage, and it can provide a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases by regulating the production of free radicals via nitric oxide. This situation makes ascorbic acid a notable treatment candidate for preventing the worsening of COVID-19. In our case, we present a patient who had a brief psychotic episode following ingestion of high-dose vitamin C due to fear of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2. The psychotic episode may have developed due to increased levels of circulating vitamin C in the central nervous system, which may affect dopamine and GABA levels and changes in NMDA receptor function in the brain. We aim to draw attention to possible neurotoxicity and inflammation caused by free radicals on neuropsychiatric diseases. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2022;52(10):442–444.]