Impact of Vitamin C on opioïd Consumption After an Emergency Department Visit for Acute Musculoskeletal Pain
Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group
Conditions studied: Pain, Acute
In brief
Recent evidence has shown that vitamin C has some analgesic properties and can therefore reduce opioids used during healing. Vitamin C analgesic effect has been explored mostly during the short-term postoperative context or in disease specific chronic pain prevention but not after acute musculoskeletal injuries, which are often seen in the emergency department (ED). The study's primary aim is to compare the total morphine 5 mg equivalent pills consumed during a two-week follow-up between patients receiving vitamin C or a placebo after ED discharge for an acute musculoskeletal pain complaint. The investigators will conduct a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial with 464 participants distributed in two arms, one group receiving 1 000 mg of vitamin C twice a day for 14 days and another one receiving a placebo. Participants will be ≥18 years of age, treated in ED for acute musculoskeletal pain present for less than 2 weeks, and discharged with an opioid prescription for home pain management. Total morphine 5 mg equivalent pills consumed during the two-week follow-up will be assessed via an electronic (or paper) diary. In addition, patients will report their daily pain intensity, pain relief, side effects, and other types of pain medication or other non-pharmacological approach (ice, heat, immobilization, etc.) used. Three months after the injury, participants will also be contacted to evaluate chronic pain development. The investigators hypothesized that vitamin C, compared to a placebo, will reduce opioid consumption during a 14-day follow-up for ED discharged patients treated for acute pain.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT05555576
- Run by
- Centre Integre Universitaire de Sante et Services Sociaux du Nord de l'ile de Montreal
- People needed
- 464
- Starts
- 2023-11-01
- Expected to finish
- 2026-12-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-03-31
Who can join
Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Aged 18 and over;
- Treated in ED for acute musculoskeletal pain present for less than 2 weeks;
- Discharged with an opioid prescription;
- Speaks French or English.
You may not qualify if…
- Opioid use 1 month prior to the ED visit;
- Already taking vitamin C supplement;
- Active cancer;
- Treated for chronic pain;
- Treated for opioid use disorder;
- Unable to fill out diary or unavailable for follow-up;
- Any allergy, intolerance or sensitivity to milk (lactose) or morphine
- Treated with cyclosporin or coumadin
- Pregnant or lactating (dosage > 1,800 mg not recommended. For women of child-bearing age and sexually active in the past 3 months, a urine pregnancy test will be performed.)
Where it is running
- Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal — Montreal, Quebec, Canada (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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