PlainVitamins

Ester-C

by Puritan's Pride · softgel capsule · 60 rapid release softgels

  • On the market (NIH)
  • UPC 0 25077 00104 0
  • DSLD label 286437
  • Serving 2 softgels
  • 30 servings

Ester-C by Puritan's Pride lists 14 ingredients, 14 with an amount per serving of 2 softgels, such as 750 mcg of vitamin A, 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 15 mcg (600 IU) of vitamin D and 2 mg of vitamin B6, beside 2 Nutrition Facts rows (calories, fat and the like). Its current label entered the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database on June 22, 2023.

What is in Ester-C?

Each row as the label prints it, per serving of 2 softgels. The capsule beside an amount places it among every product in the NIH database that lists the same ingredient: the bar is the middle half of their amounts, the line in it the median, the whiskers the 10th and 90th percentiles; the green tick is the FDA Daily Value and the red dashed tick the adult upper limit (IOM).

Ester-C: Supplement Facts rows against the market (DSLD label 286437, January 2026 release)
IngredientAmount% DVAmong products listing it
Calories15 Calories
Total Fat1 g1%Fat (unspecified) in Ester-C against 11,965 products1 g per serving; the middle half of products list 1 g to 2.5 g, the median 1.5 g.1 g

56% of 11,965 products listing fat (unspecified) give more (median 1.5 g).

Total Carbohydrates1 g1%Carbohydrate in Ester-C against 21,979 products1 g per serving; the middle half of products list 1 g to 6 g, the median 3 g.1 g

74% of 21,979 products listing carbohydrate give more (median 3 g).

Vitamin Aas Retinyl Palmitate750 mcg83%
Vitamin Cas Ester-C1,000 mg1,111%Vitamin C in Ester-C against 18,583 products1,000 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 60 mg to 270 mg, the median 100 mg.DV 90 mgUL 2,000 mg1,000 mg

Higher than 91% of 18,583 products listing vitamin C (median 100 mg).

Vitamin Das Cholecalciferol, Vitamin D3600 IU15 mcg (600 IU)75%Vitamin D in Ester-C against 14,175 products15 mcg per serving; the middle half of products list 10 mcg to 25 mcg, the median 15 mcg.DV 20 mcgUL 100 mcg15 mcg

51% of 14,175 products listing vitamin D give more (median 15 mcg).

Vitamin B6as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride2 mg118%Vitamin B6 in Ester-C against 15,277 products2 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 2 mg to 20 mg, the median 6 mg.DV 1.7 mgUL 100 mg2 mg

69% of 15,277 products listing vitamin B6 give more (median 6 mg).

Folate666 mcg DFE167%
Folic Acid400 mcg
Vitamin B12as Cyanocobalamin6 mg250%

This amount is far outside what other labels list for vitamin B12, or disagrees with the label's own %DV: possibly a unit or transcription slip in the database. Check the label image on DSLD.

Biotinas D-Biotin300 mcg1,000%Biotin in Ester-C against 9,447 products300 mcg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mcg to 300 mcg, the median 200 mcg.DV 30 mcg300 mcg

Higher than 53% of 9,447 products listing biotin (median 200 mcg).

Pantothenic Acidas D-Calcium Pantothenate10 mg200%Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) in Ester-C against 10,060 products10 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 6 mg to 50 mg, the median 12 mg.DV 5 mg10 mg

52% of 10,060 products listing pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) give more (median 12 mg).

Magnesiumas Magnesium Oxide25 mg6%Magnesium in Ester-C against 14,003 products25 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 30 mg to 200 mg, the median 86 mg.UL 350 mgDV 420 mg25 mg

77% of 14,003 products listing magnesium give more (median 86 mg).

Zincas Zinc Oxide15 mg136%Zinc in Ester-C against 13,186 products15 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 5 mg to 15 mg, the median 11 mg.DV 11 mgUL 40 mg15 mg

Higher than 56% of 13,186 products listing zinc (median 11 mg).

Echinacea16.5 mgEchinacea purpurea in Ester-C against 484 products16.5 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 400 mg, the median 200 mg.16.5 mg

93% of 484 products listing echinacea purpurea give more (median 200 mg).

ElderberryComplex17 mgEuropean Elder in Ester-C against 920 products17 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 400 mg, the median 150 mg.17 mg

96% of 920 products listing european elder give more (median 150 mg).

Astragalus16.5 mgAstragalus in Ester-C against 604 products16.5 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 405 mg, the median 132.5 mg.16.5 mg

93% of 604 products listing astragalus give more (median 132.5 mg).

Source: NIH ODS Dietary Supplement Label Database, label 286437 (entered June 22, 2023), version 9.4.0. See the label on DSLD or its label image (PDF). Amounts are what the maker printed; DSLD does not test products. Daily Values: the FDA's Daily Value page.

Is that a lot?

The rows in the top or bottom tenth of the products that list the same ingredient, and any above the adult upper limit at the most servings a day the directions give:

  • Its 1,000 mg of vitamin C is higher than 91% of the 18,583 vitamin C products that print an amount; 445 list more.
  • 93% of the 484 products that print an amount of echinacea purpurea list more than its 16.5 mg of echinacea purpurea (median 200 mg).
  • 96% of the 920 products that print an amount of european elder list more than its 17 mg of elderberry (filed by NIH under european elder) (median 150 mg).
  • 93% of the 604 products that print an amount of astragalus list more than its 16.5 mg of astragalus (median 132.5 mg).

The NIH database records one serving a day from the label's directions; its % Daily Values are for adults and children 4 or more years of age. The directions as printed are further down this page.

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the most of a nutrient per day, from food, water and supplements together, that is likely to pose no risk for almost all adults (Institute of Medicine, 2011). It does not apply under medical supervision. This page compares labels; it is not medical advice.

Sources: amounts from the DSLD label; Daily Values from 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv); adult upper limits from the Institute of Medicine's DRI summary tables (2011). How positions are computed.

Which products have the closest formulas?

3 products list the very same ingredients; the nearest amounts come first.

Source: ingredient lists of every product's current label in DSLD (version 9.4.0); similarity weights each shared ingredient by how rare it is.

What does the label say about taking it?

Quoted from the label as DSLD transcribed it: the maker's words, including any claim about what the product does, which the FDA has not evaluated and PlainVitamins does not endorse.

Directions
Directions: For adults, take two (2) softgels daily, preferably with a meal. As a reminder, discuss the supplements you take with your healthcare providers.
Warnings
Warning: If you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medications, have any medical condition, or are planning to undergo any clinical lab testing, consult your doctor before use. Some supplements may interact with certain medications and/or interfere with certain lab tests.
Avoid this product if you are allergic to sunflowers or daisy-like flowers.
Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.
Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18. Keep out of reach of children.
Do not use if seal under cap is broken or missing.
As a reminder, discuss the supplements you take with your healthcare providers.
Allergens and what it does not contain
Gluten free Non GMO Dairy free
Storage
Store at room temperature.

Source: label statements in DSLD label 286437.

What else is on the label?

Other ingredients: Rice Bran Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, natural Caramel color, Carob, Powder, Sunflower Lecithin, yellow Beeswax.

Seals and symbols as the label prints them (the maker's; a certifier's own list confirms a seal): Made in the USA with select ingredients from around the world; QA Quality Assured.

How many labels does Ester-C have?

One label is on file, entered on June 22, 2023.

  1. Label 286437 (current) Entered June 22, 2023 · on the market · 60 rapid release softgels · UPC 0 25077 00104 0

Source: DSLD label entry and market events, version 9.4.0 (labels entered through September 25, 2025).

Who makes it?

The label names Puritan's Pride, Inc. (distributor), Ronkonkoma, NY, U.S.A.. All Puritan's Pride products.

Where next?