Mouth ulcers

[LesleyH]

I have been taking methotrexate for 12 weeks now but have started to get ulcers in my mouth and on my tongue. Has anyone else had this happen, I have read that this is one of the side affects

[Beth58]

Hi Lesley, it sound's like you need to increase the amount of Folic Acid. Try taking one every other day or daily until the ulcers disappear. Don't forget to tell your doctor your having these side effects.

Beth x

[LesleyH]

Hi Beth I already take folic acid three times a week 10 mg each time, do you think I should take more

[Beth58 in reply to LesleyH]

You could try increasing it even more and get an antiseptic mouth wash, but I think you should also consult your doctor. My doctors are pretty good about quick phone consultations when I'm worried about meds, or try your hospital monitoring unit they should offer the best advice. x

[essexgirl]

They say if u get mouth ulcers its due to lack of vitamin D .... but as beth said increasing folic acid is fine ...they also say that if u take too much folic acid you only get rid of it through your water so its fine x

[Hidden]

Folic acid can be every day except the methotrexate day.. though please get permission/ speak to your prescriber.. difflam mouthwash is helpful as is anbesol liquid/ gel which can be applied to the mouth ulcers

[julie49]

hi ,i myself had problems on that drug with bad stomach and my mouth,i was told i wasnt suited to them so was put on something else now i,m fine,dont feel ill you can get it changed to something more suitable,its obviously not the right one for you,hope this helps.......x

[oldtimer]

I use orobase on my mouth ulcers that I get with methotrexate. Taking folic acid every day except the day of the metho has helped a bit as has keeping my mouth very clean - no food debris left after a meal.

[cathie]

I've just seen the ref to vitamin D. We're supposed to have more of this here in Scotland, is it something we can just self-medicate does anyone know (? summer) or should we check with GP?

Cathie XX

[Hidden in reply to cathie]

Hi Cathie, Yes you can usually get vitamin D where ever you get other vitamins, multivitamins, etc. Extra Vit. D. is suggested to be 400-800 units here, though my GP told me to get 1000 units because of my Osteoporosis.

[SALI]

My rheummy nurse advised to take an extra folic acid tablet either side of my MTX day in addition to the one I take every day excluding MTX day. This did help symptons, but now increased to 22.5mg MTX a week and suffering again. It takes me a time to settle down after an increase in the MTX.

[BSMGA]

Yes, I, too, had ulcers in my mouth and on my tongue from MTX and also Leflunomide. Extremely painful and uncomfortable. I feel for you. I found easing of this pain with Campho-phenique cold sore treatment in a small tube (0.23 oz) and a mouth wash made especially for mouth sores. Honestly, the thing that helped me more than anything else is the small bottle of liquid Campho-phenique that I dabbed directly on the ulcers with my finger or a q-tip. It will deaden the sores immediately and is extremely helpful just before eating or getting in bed. It is not the best tasting stuff in the world but it really helps. BSMGA

[LesleyH]

Thanks for that might have to try that, nurse says I am already on max dose of folic acid but am waiting for a blood tes t this week to see what's if anything is going on