Vitamin C to reduce pain after an emergency department visit

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

VICAMED is a multicentre, triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted at three Canadian university-affiliated emergency departments. Adults (≥18 years) presenting within 48 hours of an acute musculoskeletal injury with pain ≥4/10 are randomized to receive a single 900 mg oral dose of vitamin C or placebo, with a subgroup taking 900 mg twice daily for three days for the secondary outcome. The primary outcome is pain intensity one hour after administration and the main secondary outcome is the 72-hour time-weighted sum of pain-intensity difference (SPID). Key exclusions include recent vitamin C use, active cancer, recent opioid use, chronic pain treatment, certain metabolic or liver conditions, and use of cyclosporine or warfarin.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years old
2. Presenting to the ED with acute MSK pain of ≤ 48 hours duration at triage
3. Verbal numerical rating scale pain intensity at triage of ≥ 4 on a 0-10 scale
4. Triaged to the ambulatory section of the ED
5. Able to communicate in French or English

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Usage of Vit C supplements in the last week
2. Active cancer
3. Treated with opioids for any pain within 24 hours prior to recruitment
4. Treatment for chronic pain
5. Unable to fill out a pain intensity diary or unavailable for follow-up
6. Allergy to milk (lactose in the placebo) or Vit C
7. Treated with cyclosporine or warfarin
8. Pre-existing oxalate nephropathy, liver cirrhosis or hemochromatosis
9. Hospitalized after clinician evaluation

Where it's running

• Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal
  Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recruiting
• The Ottawa Hospital - General and Civic Campus
  Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Not yet recruiting
• Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis
  Lévis, Quebec, Canada Not yet recruiting
• CHU de Québec - Université Laval
  Québec, Quebec, Canada Not yet recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Raoul Daoust, MD MSc — Université de Montréal
• Study coordinator: Martin Marquis, MSc
• Email: martin.marquis.cnmtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
• Phone: 514-338-2222

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.