mtx and more folic acid

[TULIPFLOWER]

hello I'm on 15 mg of MTX and mg 5of Folic acid . Would it help against stiffness to take more folic acid.what is the effect of taking more folic acid

thank,

yoga woman

[bpeal1]

I’m not a medic but my understanding is that Folic acid decreases the side effects of the Methotrexate but doesn’t help with the symptoms of RA. I think you need to have a discussion with your rheumatology team as you may need to increase your methotrexate or add in another treatment if 15mg isn’t controlling your RA sufficiently.

[helixhelix]

Folic acid is to counter side effects of MTX, and help it be effective. Are you in the US? As the dosage is often different. In the US it seems that the tablets are 1mg, and people take more. In the UK they are 5mg, and the advise is to take the lowest amount you need to control side effects.

[AgedCrone]

If you look back through posts on Mtx….it does seem on balance that people do best if they take 5mg folic acid every day apart from the day they take their methotrexate.You need to keep well hydrated too….especially in the present heatwaves

.

Have a word with your Rheumy nurse I’m sure they are well versed in advising on this subject.

I started off straight away on 5mg FA per day…& apart from the odd headache I felt really well. …for 7 years ….when Mtx just stopped working.

[Esmereld]

I take 5 mg a week!. I thought that mtx depleted folate and that’s why we need to replace it. There are articles on the internet that might give you a better understanding.

[Gymcactus]

I take15mg of methotrexate and only 5mg FA once a week, my consultant added sulfazalazine for the morning stiffness which has worked.

[oldtimer2]

No folic acid won't help with stiffness. It helps with the side effects of methotrexate. If you are very stiff is that from exercising too much or too little (I get both and do yoga every day)? Or as a result of joint pain? If the latter, then you might need more treatment.

[Bhasvic64]

My rheumatologist has prescribed 5mg each day except methotrexate day seems to work for me,but you need to check with your rheumatologist before you change meds.