Vitamin C for Acute Pain

Overseen By Martin Marquis, MSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase < 1

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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether vitamin C can relieve acute pain without common painkillers like NSAIDs or acetaminophen, which some people cannot take. Participants will receive either vitamin C or a placebo (a pill with no active ingredient) to assess vitamin C's effect on pain. The trial seeks healthy adults who have not experienced recent pain, do not take pain medication, and are not currently using vitamin C supplements. As an Early Phase 1 trial, this research aims to understand how vitamin C works in people, offering participants the chance to contribute to groundbreaking insights in pain management.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are currently taking pain medication, you cannot participate in this trial. Also, if you are treated with cyclosporine or warfarin, you are not eligible due to interactions with vitamin C.

Is there any evidence suggesting that vitamin C is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that vitamin C is generally safe for managing pain. Some studies suggest it can help reduce pain after surgery and decrease the need for opioid painkillers. Vitamin C has also been used safely to ease aches and pains during illnesses like the common cold.

Overall, vitamin C is well-tolerated, meaning most people don't experience serious side effects when taking it. This makes it a promising option for those who can't use regular painkillers like NSAIDs or acetaminophen. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?

Researchers are excited about Vitamin C for acute pain management because it offers a potential alternative to traditional pain relief options like NSAIDs or opioids. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant, which might help reduce inflammation and pain differently than standard medications. Unlike typical pain relievers, which often come with significant side effects or the risk of dependency, Vitamin C could provide a safer, more holistic approach. Additionally, its fast-acting oral delivery could offer quick relief, making it a promising candidate for those seeking rapid pain reduction.

What evidence suggests that vitamin C might be an effective treatment for acute pain?

Research has shown that vitamin C might help relieve pain. In one study, a high dose of vitamin C reduced pain in patients within the first 24 hours after surgery. Another study found that vitamin C eased pain in people with bone disease. Vitamin C has also reduced pain and swelling in various conditions, such as shingles (a viral infection causing a painful rash) and broken bones. Additionally, it has decreased the need for pain medication after surgery. In this trial, participants will receive either vitamin C or a placebo to evaluate its effectiveness in managing sudden pain without traditional painkillers. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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?

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

Lead Sponsor

Trials

17

Recruited

4,600+

Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal

Lead Sponsor

Trials

52

Recruited

12,100+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12155800/

Vitamin C as an Adjuvant Analgesic Therapy in ... This study demonstrates that a high-dose vitamin C infusion lowered pain within the first 24 h after surgery and reduced early postoperative ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06306183

Study Details | NCT06306183 | Effect of Vitamin C on Pain ... The investigators hypothesized that vitamin C will reduce pain intensity during a seven-day follow-up for ED discharged patients treated for acute MSK pain.

3. translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-017-1179-7

The role of vitamin C in the treatment of pain: new insights An early study in 16 patients with Paget's disease of bone showed that oral doses of 3 g/day vitamin C for 2 weeks decreased pain in 50% of the ...

4. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/jbjsjournal/fulltext/2025/05210/efficacy_of_vitamin_c_as_glucocorticoid_substitute.11.aspx

Efficacy of Vitamin C as Glucocorticoid Substitute for... : JBJS Vitamin C therapy has proven effective at reducing pain and inflammation in various clinical contexts, including herpes zoster infection, upper-limb fracture, ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1268773118301590

Role of anti-oxidant (vitamin-C) in post-operative pain relief ... A recent study has shown that oral supplementation of vitamin C has significantly reduced the acute pain and consumption of morphine after laparoscopic ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5391567/

The role of vitamin C in the treatment of pain: new insights - PMC Overall, vitamin C appears to be a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for acute and chronic pain relief in specific patient groups.

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7393036/

Efficacy and safety of vitamin C in the management of acute ... When taken at onset of ARI, oral vitamin C may reduce the duration of symptoms including fever, chest pain, chills and bodily aches and pains.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007091221008527

Efficacy and safety of perioperative vitamin C in patients ... Vitamin C was associated with a reduction in postoperative pain score and cumulative morphine consumption up to 48 h after surgery.

9. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/11/3994

Vitamin C as an Adjuvant Analgesic Therapy in ... The aim of this review was to describe the effect of vitamin C administration on postoperative pain intensity and opioid consumption.