Release Date
Geography
Language of Resource
Full Text Available
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
Peer Reviewed
Objective
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.
Findings/Key points
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.
Design/methods
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.
