Acids

Choosing between citric acid and ascorbic acid

A pH value of 4, which is acidic, is required to dissolve 99.9% of brown heroin.

Injecting acidic products can cause vein damage and irritation. In order to limit these risks, it is important to use as little acid as possible.

Citric acid is more acidic than ascorbic acid. A smaller amount of citric acid is therefore capable of achieving the required pH value as compared to ascorbic acid. 

However, ascorbic acid is simpler to use as it is easier to manage the quantities required to achieve the desired pH level, thus better avoiding the overuse of acidifiers. A slight surplus of ascorbic acid is less likely to cause vein damage than a surplus of citric acid.

This is why ascorbic acid should be preferred, as it allows for a larger safety margin in its dosage.

Regardless of the acid used, it is important to use as little as possible to avoid vein damage.