Impact of Vitamin C on the Reduction of Opioid Consumption After an Emergency Department Visit for Acute Musculoskeletal Pain: A Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial Protocol

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other, Dietary supplement
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

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.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• 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.

Locations
Other Locations
Canada
Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal
RECRUITING
Montreal
Contact Information
Primary
Martin Marquis, MSc
martin.marquis.cnmtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
514-338-2222
Time Frame
Start Date: 2023-11-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-12
Participants
Target number of participants: 464
Treatments
Experimental: Vitamin C
1 000 mg vitamin C taken orally twice a day
Placebo_comparator: Placebo
Matching placebo
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Centre Integre Universitaire de Sante et Services Sociaux du Nord de l'ile de Montreal
Collaborators: Hopital de l'Enfant-Jesus

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov