An open-label pilot study of oral vitamin C as an opioid-sparing agent in patients with chronic pain secondary to cancer.

Pinkerton, E; Good, P; Gibbons, K; Hardy, J

An open-label pilot study of oral vitamin C as an opioid-sparing agent in patients with chronic pain secondary to cancer.

Pinkerton, E Good, P

Gibbons, K Hardy, J

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Publisher:: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Support Care Cancer, 2017, 25, (2), pp. 341-343
Issue Date:: 2017-02

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Pinkerton, E
dc.contributor.author	Good, P https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8198-0375
dc.contributor.author	Gibbons, K
dc.contributor.author	Hardy, J
dc.date.accessioned	2022-10-03T21:24:58Z
dc.date.available	2016-10-26
dc.date.available	2022-10-03T21:24:58Z
dc.date.issued	2017-02
dc.identifier.citation	Support Care Cancer, 2017, 25, (2), pp. 341-343
dc.identifier.issn	0941-4355
dc.identifier.issn	1433-7339
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/162256
dc.description.abstract	PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of oral Vitamin C as an opioid-sparing agent when used in conjunction with opioids and standard adjuvant therapy in the management of chronic cancer pain. METHODS: An open-label pilot study of patients ≥18 years of age with chronic pain secondary to cancer and/or its treatment and a Brief Pain Inventory average pain score of ≥3/10. In addition to opioid analgesia, patients received 1 g of vitamin C twice daily over 3 days (total daily dose of 2 g). Patients' usual medications, including breakthrough medications, were continued throughout the study period. The primary endpoint was total daily opioid use during vitamin C administration compared with that immediately prior to study. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled in the study. Seven failed to complete the trial. Across the 17 evaluable patients, the median daily opioid consumption was 360 mg oral morphine equivalents (OME) on the days prior to vitamin C and 390 mg when administered with vitamin C. CONCLUSION: This study failed to demonstrate any clinically significant benefit from vitamin C in conjunction with opioids in cancer-related pain and does not provide support for embarking on a larger randomised trial to determine efficacy.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Springer Science and Business Media LLC
dc.relation.ispartof	Support Care Cancer
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s00520-016-3472-z
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences, 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Oncology & Carcinogenesis
dc.subject.mesh	Administration, Oral
dc.subject.mesh	Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Aged, 80 and over
dc.subject.mesh	Analgesics, Opioid
dc.subject.mesh	Ascorbic Acid
dc.subject.mesh	Chronic Pain
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Neoplasms
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Neoplasms
dc.subject.mesh	Ascorbic Acid
dc.subject.mesh	Analgesics, Opioid
dc.subject.mesh	Administration, Oral
dc.subject.mesh	Pilot Projects
dc.subject.mesh	Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Aged, 80 and over
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Male
dc.subject.mesh	Chronic Pain
dc.title	An open-label pilot study of oral vitamin C as an opioid-sparing agent in patients with chronic pain secondary to cancer.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	25
utslib.location.activity	Germany
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
utslib.for	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/IMPACCT
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-10-03T21:24:57Z
pubs.issue	2
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	25
utslib.citation.issue	2

Abstract:

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of oral Vitamin C as an opioid-sparing agent when used in conjunction with opioids and standard adjuvant therapy in the management of chronic cancer pain. METHODS: An open-label pilot study of patients ≥18 years of age with chronic pain secondary to cancer and/or its treatment and a Brief Pain Inventory average pain score of ≥3/10. In addition to opioid analgesia, patients received 1 g of vitamin C twice daily over 3 days (total daily dose of 2 g). Patients' usual medications, including breakthrough medications, were continued throughout the study period. The primary endpoint was total daily opioid use during vitamin C administration compared with that immediately prior to study. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled in the study. Seven failed to complete the trial. Across the 17 evaluable patients, the median daily opioid consumption was 360 mg oral morphine equivalents (OME) on the days prior to vitamin C and 390 mg when administered with vitamin C. CONCLUSION: This study failed to demonstrate any clinically significant benefit from vitamin C in conjunction with opioids in cancer-related pain and does not provide support for embarking on a larger randomised trial to determine efficacy.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/162256