JUST BEGAN TAKING METHOTREXATE AND FOLIC ACID

[bottomrail]

Will start my regiment of MTX and Folic Acid Wed...My PCP has me taking six tablets of MTX once a week and taking Folic Acid seven days a week. I currently do not know the dosage of either medication but will let everyone know after I pick up my prescriptions tomorrow.

[Downtime]

Hi Bottomrail, probably the tablets are 2.5 mg so the total dose will be 15 mg this seems to be the standard start dose. I also took folic acid daily In the beginning now I take 5mg only the day after the Mxt. Were you offered prednisalone (steroid) as they say if you take this as well at the start it can get you into remission sooner?

[bottomrail in reply to Downtime]

Downtime....Thanks for the reply and advice. No I was not prescribed prednisolone. My PCP told me to take 6 MTX tablets at one time once a week and to take Folic Acid once a day every day. I was not told to skip the first day I take MTX. I go to pick up my meds. today (08/15/17) and will read the instruction that come with the meds very carefully.

[Pamelah5]

Hi Bottomrail, Six MTX is 15 mg. Quite surprised your asked to take 7 Folic Acid tablets which is one a day, usually would be taken for 6 days never on same day as MTX as MTX won't absorb properly.

Hope it does not take long to get under control

Pamela x

[helixhelix in reply to Pamelah5]

May not be....if bottomrail is in US or Çanada then other members here are told to take folic acid 7 days a week, and often prescribed 1mg folic acid pills not the 5mg we get in U.K.

[Pamelah5 in reply to helixhelix]

I thought all would of followed the same guidelines for meds regardless which country. Knowing MTX would not get absorbed properly if taking with Folic Acid.

[helixhelix in reply to Pamelah5]

Look at some of Suzannedale's posts. Some authorities in different countries have completely different points of view. Surprised me at the time, but that seems to be the way it is.

[Strayleaves in reply to helixhelix]

Hi helixhelix,

Yes , over here in Aus. I think it is pretty much standard that we have the 5 mg tablets , and take them 48hours before and 48hrs after the methotrexate.

[nomoreheels in reply to Pamelah5]

The thing is Pamela there are no guidelines for folic acid when used with MTX, it's prescribed off-license. This why doses & strengths vary, it's the Rheumy's preference & the patients need according to side effects. Here in the UK we're prescribed 5mg as you know, in the US I understand it's 1mg yet in Canada & Australia it's 5mg. All very confusing, especially now we have so many members worldwide.

[bottomrail in reply to helixhelix]

helixhelix....will email my PCP and get a definite statement on the number of days to take Folic Acid. Thx.

[bottomrail in reply to Pamelah5]

Pamelah5....I go to pick up my meds. today (08/15/17) and will read the instructions carefully before taking anything. Thanks to you guys I think I will email my PCP again and clear up this thing about the number of days to take the Folic Acid. Thx for the advice. Peace.

[Gnarli]

Wishing you all the very best.

J