Vitamin c trial for elderly pneumonia fizzles out
NCT ID NCT02186158
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether giving vitamin C to elderly patients hospitalized with pneumonia could improve their breathing and daily function. Only 9 people took part before the study was stopped early. Because it was so small, we can't say if vitamin C helps or not.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Vitamin C
- What this could lead to
- If it worked, vitamin C might help older adults with pneumonia feel better faster and recover more function.
- What could go wrong
- The trial was very small (9 people) and terminated early, so we cannot draw reliable conclusions. Vitamin C may not provide meaningful benefit.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
9 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Feb 2015
- Finished
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May 2016
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
75 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * people aged ≥ 75 years old * pneumonia's symptoms according to the SPILF (Société de Pathologie Infectieuse de Langue Française) : * cough * at least one respiratory sign : dyspnea, chest pain, wheezing, and local signs at the auscultation * at least one general sign suggesting an infection : fever, sweat, headache, sore joints, common cold * pneumonia's symptoms developed between the admission's date in the unit care and the seventh day included Exclusion Criteria: * palliative care's patients * patients with deglutition's disorders * patients who can't be on a drip * antibiotherapy since more one day * other concomitant infection(s) * patients who can't make their own transfer 15 days ago * patients who have a NYHA score at IV 15 days ago * patients with contraindication to a vitamin C treatment : hemochromatosis, oxalo-calcic lithiasis antecedent, G6PD deficit (Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase), and treatment by Deferoxamine
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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CHU de Bordeaux, Hôpital Saint André
Bordeaux, 33000, France