Methotrexate and folic acid.

[MoniqueB]

Hi everyone,

This evening, I was planning on taking my weekly methotrexate (20 mg). However, this afternoon, when I was taking my Vitamin D, I (without thinking) took my folic acid too. I know that it's not recommended to take methotrexate and folic acid on the same day, but do you know if it would do me any harm?

[helixhelix]

In the States they take folic acid every day, so it is unlikely that it will cause a problem.

[MoniqueB in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks so much for your response helixhelix! I'll go ahead and take my does this evening.

[essexgirl]

I done it once and my rhuemy said it’s fine

[MoniqueB in reply to essexgirl]

Thanks very much essexgirl. I'll take my dose this evening.

[Gnarli]

I'mashamed to say I've done it more than once and it's ok

[essexgirl in reply to Gnarli]

😂

[MoniqueB in reply to essexgirl]

Ha! The thing is, I sometimes forget to take it, so am always proud of myself when I remember without a reminder.

[Gottaloveastaffy]

Hey I am prescribed folic acid every day 😄

[MoniqueB in reply to Gottaloveastaffy]

Thank you for letting me know!

[cass24]

Hopefully you've already gone ahead and taken your Mtx by now anyway, but just wanted to add that according to my rheumy, the only reason for not taking folic acid on the same day is because some studies have shown that it may slightly reduce the effect of the Mtx...

Either way, it certainly shouldn't do you any harm though

[MoniqueB in reply to cass24]

Hi Cass, I did indeed take my MTX yesterday and feel perfectly fine. Thank you for the information!

[stbernhard]

I have done that before without noticeable consequences. No worries.

[MoniqueB in reply to stbernhard]

Thanks for letting me know stbernard. I took my MTX yesterday and haven't noticed any difference.

[Sohmui]

Especially as you've only done it once, I can't believe it would harm you.

[MoniqueB in reply to Sohmui]

Thanks Sohmui!

[nomoreheels]

It won't do you any harm Monique so don't worry. What is thought it does is slightly decrease the MTX dose, or reduce the effectiveness, if it's taken on the same day. In the years I've been on it I must have done the same as you a handful of times & I’m still here. It's just not a good idea to do it regularly. It would be a bigger issue if it was folinic acid but that's not as frequently prescribed. In the US they often take folic acid the same day as MTX but they usually only prescribe 1mg although some do suggest 5mg once a week, from what I understand from our US members.

[MoniqueB in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks very much for the information nomoreheels. Sometimes, I get really tired of Googling for an answer, so am so pleased that I receive advice on NRAS, so quickly.

I didn't know that there was a difference between folinic and folic acid. Interesting! I've been prescribed 5 mg of folic acid for 6/7 days of the week. I think it's really done the trick, as I hardly ever suffer from nausea or dizziness anymore.

[nomoreheels in reply to MoniqueB]

Google doesn't sort the good from bad... not reliable, you can get a lot of rubbish unreliable info which if you're not clued up can lead to wrong conclusions. Always worth asking the question here, we'll direct you elsewhere if we can't help.

Folinic acid is a reduced form of folic acid, the synthetic form of folate. It's more usually given as a rescue for reactions to high dose MTX. Folic acid generally works fine with low dose MTX so there's little need for the more expensive folinic acid, though it can be prescribed if there's need.

[MoniqueB in reply to nomoreheels]

Ah, thank you for the info.

[Psychic]

I did this once and it had no effect on how I felt. Hope this helps you,

[MoniqueB in reply to Psychic]

Thanks very much for your reply Psychic. Last night I took my MTX and didn't experience any effects at all.

[bubblyalex]

Done that did that and still do sometimes. It is usually though that I’ve done the MXT in the early am and forgotten accidentally taking the folic acid a few hours later 🙄 I am still here to tell the tale 🥰

[MoniqueB in reply to bubblyalex]

Thanks Alex, I'm happy you're still here to tell the tale. Me too.