Impact of vitamin C on the reduction of opioid consumption for acute musculoskeletal pain: A double-blind randomized control pilot study

Original research
par
Daoust, Raoul et al

Date de publication

2024

Géographie

Canada

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a randomized placebo-controlled study to determine the opioid sparing and analgesic effect of vitamin C compared to placebo, in acute musculoskeletal (MSK) injured ED patients.

Constatations/points à retenir

For per-protocol analysis, the median (IQR) M5T consumed was 6.5 (3.3–19.5) for the vitamin C and 9.0 (1.5–16.0) for placebo group. The median (IQR) naproxen 500 mg tablets consumed was 0 (0–9.8) for the vitamin C group and 20 (0–27) for the placebo arm. This pilot study supports the feasibility of a larger RCT of this nature.

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

A double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) distributed in two arms, stratified for fractures, was performed in a tertiary care center, one group receiving 1 g of vitamin C twice a day for 14 days and another receiving placebo. Participants were discharged with a standardized opioid prescription of 20 morphine 5 mg tablets (M5T) and, at the clinician discretion, 28 tablets of naproxen 500 mg. Participants completed a 14-day paper diary and were contacted by phone at 14 days, to document their analgesic use, vitamin C consumption, and pain intensity.

Mots clés

Hospitals
Opioids
Outcomes