Effect of Vitamin C on Pain Reduction After an Emergency Department Visit (NCT06306183)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries such as sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures are among the most common reasons people visit the emergency department. These injuries often cause significant pain in the first few days, making it difficult to move, work, or sleep. Usual pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help, but they are not safe or effective for everyone. Some people cannot take them because of heart, kidney, stomach, or liver problems. Others still experience strong pain despite treatment. Because of these limits, some patients receive opioids, which can cause side effects and carry a risk of dependence. Safer and more accessible options are needed. Vitamin C is widely known for supporting the immune system, but research suggests it may also help reduce pain and inflammation. Studies in surgical patients have shown that vitamin C can lower pain levels, reduce the need for opioids, and support healing. These effects may be linked to its antioxidant properties and its role in tissue repair. However, no study has tested whether vitamin C can help people with recent MSK injuries treated in the emergency department. The VICAMED study aims to answer this question. Adults arriving with an MSK injury that occurred within the past 48 hours can participate if they have at least moderate pain. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either vitamin C or a placebo. The first dose is given in the emergency department, followed by twice daily capsules for three days. Pain is measured using a simple 0-100 scale, recorded in an electronic or paper diary. A follow-up on day six helps the research team understand each participant's recovery, medication use, and overall experience. Vitamin C is inexpensive, widely available, and very safe at the doses used in this study. If it proves effective, it could offer a simple, low risk option to help patients manage pain after an MSK injury and reduce the need for opioids in emergency care.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (5 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (10 items).
Location: The Ottawa Hospital - General and Civic Campus — Ottawa, Ontario
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Usage of Vit C supplements in the last week
- Active cancer
- Treated with opioids for any pain within 24 hours prior to recruitment
- Treatment for chronic pain
- Unable to fill out a pain intensity diary or unavailable for follow-up
- Allergy to milk (lactose in the placebo) or Vit C
- Treated with cyclosporine or warfarin
- Pre-existing oxalate nephropathy, liver cirrhosis or hemochromatosis
- Hospitalized after clinician evaluation
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (4 Sites)
- The Ottawa Hospital - General and Civic Campus — Ottawa, Ontario
- Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis — Lévis, Quebec
- Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal — Montreal, Quebec
- CHU de Québec - Université Laval — Québec, Quebec
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.