How much Folic Acid do you take with Methotrexate? - Arthritis Message Board

MegHurts · 08-27-2002, 12:07 PM

I start Methotrexate this coming saturday (Im opting to take it at night so I can sleep through any side effects, based on the advice of others on this forum and on ArthritisInsight.com) and wanted to know how much Folic Acid you are taking with it. My doctor prescribed 1mg tabs once a day for me. Does this sound like enough?

Also, Ive read that if you have too much folic acid in your system that yourtummy will hurt. Do any of you experience this? I guess Im just scared and want to know what to expect.....

Thanks in advance for any and all help!!

Meg

gingerdew · 08-30-2002, 08:15 AM

Hi Meg,
Don't worry too much about the folic acid. My Rheumy started me at 1mg. too. I'm now up to 3mg. (got mouth sores but not just from the MTX). Just as they can and do adjust your MTX dose so do they adjust your folic acid if they need to. Good luck this weekend. By the way I really don't have any problems with the MTX on 15mg./week at present.
ginger

Dawnrise · 08-31-2002, 04:07 PM

I was taking 5 2.5mg tabs/methotrexate weekly along with 1mg. folic acid daily. I had no problems with either.

soulsister75 · 10-04-2002, 01:19 AM

i've been taking 10mg of mtx once a week just before going to bed and 4mg of folic acid the next morning. i know that different doctors give different recommendations as to when one should take the folic acid. one has even said that it should be taken already 2-4 hours after taking mtx! i've been sticking with my doctor's orders and haven't had any problems so far. it's interesting to compare notes on these things!!