Vitamin C for Acute Pain

Overseen By Martin Marquis, MSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

Sponsor: Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal

Must not be taking: Vitamin C, Cyclosporine, Warfarin

Disqualifiers: Acute pain, Cancer, Oxalate nephropathy, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 24 hours

38 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Non-opioid treatments are increasingly sought after for managing acute pain. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) (e.g., Advil, Motrin, Naproxen) combined with acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) have become an alternative for relieving acute pain. However, many patients cannot tolerate or have contraindications to NSAIDs and acetaminophen. There is therefore an urgent need for studies evaluating the analgesic effects of vitamin C in the context of acute pain. Our study is conducted with healthy volunteer participants receiving either vitamin C or a placebo to assess the analgesic effect of vitamin C by comparing pain detection and tolerance thresholds.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy volunteers who want to help test if Vitamin C can relieve acute pain. There are no specific inclusion criteria provided, but typically participants should not have conditions that could interfere with the study or be taking medications that might affect pain perception.

Inclusion Criteria

I do not suffer from ongoing pain.

I am not taking any pain medication.

I speak French or English.

Exclusion Criteria

Allergy to milk (lactose in the placebo) or vitamin C

I have an infection in my skin or joints where tests will be done.

Unavailable for follow-up

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive three doses of 900 mg of vitamin C or placebo taken orally every 12 hours for 24 hours

24 hours

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including measurement of pain detection and tolerance thresholds

1-3 hours after last dose

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Vitamin C

Trial Overview The study is testing whether Vitamin C can act as a non-opioid pain reliever compared to a placebo. Participants will randomly receive either Vitamin C or an inactive substance and their pain detection and tolerance levels will be measured.

Participant Groups

Group I: Vitamin C Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Three doses of 900 mg of vitamin C taken orally every 12 hours for 24 hours (baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours)

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Three doses of 900 mg of placebo taken orally every 12 hours for 24 hours (baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal

Lead Sponsor

Trials

52

Recruited

12,100+