Folic acid

[determined4321]

I'm to start methotrexate tonight and have been prescribed folic acid daily. I've been reading in forum that you should not take the day you take methotrexate. Can someone clarify?

[Moomin8]

It's up to your rheumatologist and there are many thoughts on it. Personally, I do my mtx inject on Monday then start my folic acid from Thursday through to Sunday (inclusive.) We are all 'special people' and as such, we all do things slightly differently.

[determined4321 in reply to Moomin8]

Thank you

[Hidden]

You should follow your doctors advice.

There is a debate on when & how much folic acid you should take. Apparently in the UK, they do not want you to take folic acid on mtx day. In Canada & the US, it seems to be up to your doctor. My first rheumy said 5 mg a day/7 days a week of folic acid. My second rheumy said 1 mg a day/6 days a week not on mtx day. My 3rd rheumy said I can take 1to 5 mg folic acid for as many days a week I want to. So, now I take 5mg folic acid on mtx day and then 5mg folic acid the day after. This schedule works for me. You too will find what works for you.

[Hidden]

As I understand it, while Folic Acid helps reduce unwanted effects of Mtx, it can also slightly reduce how effective Mtx is, hence the common practice of avoiding taking both on the same day.

[Damaged]

Folic acid is to prevent anemia. The MTX is very hard on the liver. This should help offset fatigue. The reason some prefer you not take it on injection day is it may reduce the efficacy of MTX. Same for pill form of MTX.

Follow doctors instructions and then examine evidence and decide for yourself. I may choose to discontinue a drug but I do always inform my doctor. It is important to do what works for you.

[ruth_p]

I was told that there is no point taking it on the day you have your mtx because it stops your body absorbing the folate. X

[margarete-72]

whst is methotrexate

[Rahelp]

That's right I ha e to take folic acid with mtx But not on the day you take the mtx just the other six.

[chels1]

I was told to take folic acid only once a week when I was on methatrexate but that was awhile ago, unfortunately I was taken off methatrexate because they found it had caused fibrosis of the lung it's a very powerful drug, I would follow the advice of docs.

[Rahelp in reply to chels1]

So sorry to hear this. It must make life even more difficult.

[Aless2002]

I was taking one 0.5mg folate every day EXCEPT the day I took the once weekly MTX dose. Later I was not tolerating the folate well, so my rheumie changed me to one 5mg tablet on the days either side of my one MTX dose.This has been perfect! I am in Australia.

[Kyriew]

I take methotrexate on Monday then folic acid for the rest of the week as I was getting terrible mouth ulcers.

xx

[Rahelp in reply to Kyriew]

I still do get terrible mouth ulcers. Just another thing to put up with. Ain't life great!

[Kings1]

Hi yes I take Methotrexate on Thursday. Then take folic acid Saturday Sunday and Monday. No folic acid same day as Methotrexate

[munchkin]

I take methotrexate tablets, but have been told to take folic acid only once a week a few days after taking mtx.