RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

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

Many people visit A&E with painful muscle and joint injuries. While usual painkillers help, some people can't take them or still have significant pain, sometimes leading to opioid use. This study is exploring if vitamin C, known for boosting immunity and possibly reducing pain, could be a safer and easier option. The VICAMED study will give adults with recent muscle or joint pain either vitamin C or a dummy pill (placebo) after their A&E visit. They'll take capsules for three days and track their pain. If vitamin C works, it could provide a simple way to manage pain and reduce the need for stronger medication for many people.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

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

Enrolment target

204

Start

01 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2029

Pain, Acute

What is this study about?

When you have a muscle, bone, or joint injury, like a sprain or a bad bruise, it can be very painful for the first few days. These types of injuries are a common reason people go to A&E. While medicines like ibuprofen or paracetamol can help, they aren't suitable for everyone – for example, some people have other health conditions that mean they can't safely take these drugs. Other times, these common painkillers just don't do enough, and doctors might consider stronger medicines, like opioids, which have their own risks and side effects.

Because of these challenges, doctors and researchers are always looking for better, safer ways to help people manage pain. You probably know vitamin C for helping your immune system, but some research suggests it might also help reduce pain and swelling. Studies have shown that it can help surgical patients feel less pain and sometimes even need fewer strong painkillers. This might be because vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps the body repair itself. However, no one has specifically looked at whether vitamin C can help people with recent muscle and joint injuries straight after an A&E visit.

The VICAMED study is designed to find out if vitamin C can make a difference. The aim is to see if taking vitamin C reduces pain after an injury and if it could be a simple, low-risk way to help people manage their pain and possibly use fewer strong painkillers. This could be a really important step towards easier and safer pain relief for many people in the future.

Key takeaways

Exploring if vitamin C can help reduce pain from common muscle/joint injuries.
Aims to find a safer alternative to current pain relief options, possibly reducing opioid use.
Participants take either vitamin C or a dummy pill for three days and track their pain.
Vitamin C is inexpensive, widely available, and generally very safe.
Your participation could help improve pain management for many people in the future.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or older who have recently injured a muscle, bone, or joint (within the last 48 hours) and are experiencing moderate pain (meaning a pain level of 4 or more out of 10) when they come to A&E. You also need to be able to speak either English or French.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you've taken vitamin C supplements in the past week, have certain health conditions like active cancer, or take specific medications like warfarin or cyclosporine, you wouldn't be able to participate. Also, if you've recently taken strong painkillers like opioids for your pain, or have a chronic pain condition, the study might not be right for you. It's also important that you can keep a simple pain diary and be available for a follow-up check.

The researchers want to make sure the study is safe for everyone and that the results are clear, so they have to be very careful about who can join. Don't worry if you're not sure; the study team will ask you some questions to see if you're a good fit.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Did your muscle, bone, or joint pain start within the last 2 days (48 hours)?
Is your pain at least moderate (4 out of 10 or higher)?
Are you able to speak English or French?
Have you *not* taken vitamin C supplements in the last week?
Are you able to fill out a pain diary and be available for a follow-up in about 6 days?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, here's what would happen. After visiting A&E for your muscle or joint injury, you would receive either a vitamin C capsule or a dummy pill (placebo). This first dose would be given to you at the hospital. Then, for the next three days, you would take one capsule twice a day at home. Throughout this time, you'll be asked to keep a simple record of your pain levels using a scale from 0 to 100, which you can do in an electronic or paper diary. Around six days after you started, the research team will check in with you to see how you're recovering, what medicines you've taken, and how you feel generally. The total duration of active participation, including taking medication and recording pain, would be about three days, with a follow-up call or visit on day six.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer potential benefits, such as receiving a treatment (vitamin C) that *might* help reduce your pain without the side effects of stronger medicines, or contributing to important research that could help many others in the future. Vitamin C is generally very safe at the doses used in this study, which is one of its appeals. However, like any medication or supplement, there's always a very small chance of mild side effects, which the study team will discuss with you. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (4)

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

Common questions

What is a 'placebo'?

A placebo is a dummy pill that looks exactly like the real medicine but contains no active ingredients. It helps researchers fairly compare how well the actual treatment works.

Will I know if I'm getting vitamin C or the placebo?

No, you won't know, and neither will the doctors treating you or the research team. This is called 'triple-blind' and it helps make sure the study results are as fair and unbiased as possible.

What kind of pain is this study for?

This study is for pain from common muscle, bone, or joint injuries that have happened recently (within 48 hours), like sprains, strains, or bruises.

How is my pain measured?

You'll be asked to rate your pain using a simple scale from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst possible pain) in a diary you'll keep at home.

What happens after the study?

After your follow-up on day six, your participation in the study largely concludes. The research team will then analyse all the information collected to understand the effects of vitamin C.

How to find out more

Martin Marquis, MSc

martin.marquis.cnmtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca 514-338-2222 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.