[Personal experiences in the long-term treatment of cystine lithiasis with high-dose ascorbic acid]

We report on our experience with 9 cystine-lithiasis patients who were treated with large doses of ascorbic acid (5 g/day) for periods ranging from 6-27 months. We observed recidive lithogenesis in only 3 patients during this time. The influence of ascorbic acid on the excretion of cystine and oxalate in the urine is discussed. A lack of side effects and the significantly lower frequency of recidivation justify the further use of ascorbic as an alternative medication in cystine lithiasis.