New to the forum - splitting MTX dose

[Tomahawk]

Just been diagnosed with RA , also OA. Only my hands are affected but still affect my daily life. Anyhow, it's good to know there is a thoughtful, smart RA community out there that take charge of their condition.

Just took my first MTX dose - going to take 5 mg every 8 hours, total 15mg/24 hours (pharmacist tells me this helps to reduce risk of side effects). Also plus acid 1 mg daily and plaquenilm 200g daily. I am in the US and it seems standard to use this regimen.

Any others splitting the dose of MTX this way?

Good to be here.

[12Chrissy34]

In the UK I think it changes from expert to expert. When I was on tablet mtx (on injections now) it was suggested I take half in the morning and half in the evening one day, and I'm on one 5mg folic acid tablet per week taken on mtx day. I definitely have problems with side effects and making sure that I'm hydrated helps. I ended up taking all my mtx in one go at night, as sleeping through the worst of the side effects was most beneficial to me

[Nyreedw in reply to 12Chrissy34]

You shouldn't take folic acid on mtx day it stops each from working. I take mine 48 hours after mtx x

[12Chrissy34 in reply to Nyreedw]

I definitely queried it when it was prescribed and later internet research showed that different doctors had different opinions (as I've had this conversation before on different sites). I'll ask the helpline again though as it wouldn't be the first time I've been given dodgy Intel!

[12Chrissy34 in reply to Nyreedw]

You are 100% right. Probably a mix of my consultant not actually listening to my question (happens worryingly often!) and steroid brain fog!

[Nyreedw in reply to 12Chrissy34]

Glad you got some answers. I've been on it 20 years xx

[aramire1]

I started MTX in November and take my whole 20mg at once Wednesday nights. The only side effect I have is a headache on Thursday night and into Friday. My rheumy suggested increasing my folic acid if that continued so I have now been taking 2mg of folic acid on Thursday’s and Friday’s, 1 every other day and that seems to do the trick!

I am also in the US...Minnesota here 😊

[Evaflo10s]

Hi. I’m on 25mg MTX . To reduce side effects my rheumy recommended I take half Friday nights and other half Saturday night . Also I take folic acid 5mg daily except Friday and Saturday .

Saying that I’m about to move over to injections which will hopefully be easier all round .