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Effect of Vitamin C on Pain Reduction After an Emergency Department Visit

NCT06306183 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 204

Last updated 2026-03-02

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

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.

Conditions

  • Pain, Acute

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Vitamin C

900 mg vitamin C taken orally twice a day (one in the morning and one in the evening) for a 3-day period after ED discharge for the treatment arm.

OTHER

Placebo

Placebo taken orally twice a day (one in the morning and one in the evening) for a 3-day period after ED discharge for the treatment arm.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Hopital de l'Enfant-Jesus

    collaborator OTHER

  • The Ottawa Hospital

    collaborator OTHER

  • Centre Integre Universitaire de Sante et Services Sociaux du Nord de l'ile de Montreal

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Raoul Daoust, MD MSc · Université de Montréal

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-09-01
Primary Completion
2028-12-31
Completion
2029-12-31

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06306183 on ClinicalTrials.gov