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Folic Acid (methotrexate)

I am new to RA.  Just got my first prescription for methotrexate.  The doctor also gave me folic acid to take to help reduce the side effects of the methotrexate.   She said to take the methotrexate on an empty stomach and it would be better to take it at night.  That way if you get an upset stomach from it, hopefully you will sleep right through it.  

She never said how/when to take the folic acid.  Do you take it with the methotrexate?  Does it need to be taken at a different time than my other vitamins.  The folic acid script says to take it daily.  (of course the methotrexate is once a week).

I have looked it up, but haven't found a definative answer.  It also made me confused because under interaction it mentions methotrexate.

Thanks for the help,
K
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Avatar universal
Hi i have been doing more resurch on methertrexate has myself and my son have many Auto Immune diseses, my son was born with J.I.R Athritus and has been on methertrexate since diagnosed at 2 yrs of age and he is now age 9.I see you are asking if you need to refrigedriate your Methertrexate i have always been told by consultants also pharmacists to keep it out of direct sunlight {storded in a cupborde},has once opened,vials of injectable methertrexte can be safely stored for up to 4 weeks > open vials can be stored at room temperature,it is not nessasary for open vials to be stord in the fridge.I do hope this helps if you still feel unsure the best person to ask is your local pharmacist.To fully reasure you & do makesure it is correct for your own peice of mind.
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Avatar universal
Hi i have a son who as been on methertrexate since birth has he was born with J.I.R athritus and is now 9 years old, i saw you asking if you should take your folic acid with your methertrexate on the days you have to take this.I was advised by many of my sons consultants and his GP not for him to take the folic acid on the day of his weekly injection of his methertexate.Has he is yong he has to have folic acid 3 times weekly , maybe give your GP a call has i am no medical student but its what i have lernt many years of looking after my sons disabilitys also from when my mother was also takeing methertrexate.Missing your folic acid or any other vitamins you are ment to take should not harm you on the day you take your Methertrexate,has long has they are taken after as normal.Do double check this with your GP or consultant has our Immunes and bodys are not all the same.Much regards and i do hope you manage to get more helpful understandings of the best ways you have to take your medications.Thank you for shareing your question has i do hope i could help you in the right direction of your concerns.
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Avatar universal
I am starting MTX and folic acid today. I am terrified about the hair lose thing. Have you had that problem? I have multiple auto immunes going on and we have tried so many things over the years with little help. I take Gabapintin 400mg 3X a day. I also work a few hours a nite and am wondering how MTX is going to affect that. Also, I am to have spine surg soon and am concerned about MTX and that as well as the healing. I just got over bronchitis and have let everyone I know that if they are even a little sick to stay away please. I have already had MRSA 2X in under 1.5 years about 10 years ago and nearly died. My Rheum knows all this and I had plenty of labs before he gave the MTX/folic acid RXs, but I am still shaky about taking the first dose. Stressed. Any suggestions are welcomed and I would like to heard from anyone about how their MTX lives are going. Has it helped at all? Thank you.   Moi`
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469901 tn?1276563623
Glad the info was helpful!  I hope the pill form works out for you.  I was not thrilled with the idea of giving myself shots, but it got easy.  
Regarding the sores, how bad are they?  Being on MTX will mean you heal slower so, if the sores are bad, you may want to give them a head start on healing.  
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Avatar universal
Thanks so much for all the info.  She prescribed oral MTX.  folic acid is 1 mg/day.  She gave me an order to do monthly labs.

Luckily, I got both a flu and pneumonia shot last month.  

I have a couple of sores on my fingers.  (gardening) Should I wait till they are healed before I start the MTX?

Thanks again
Karen
Helpful - 0
469901 tn?1276563623
Folic acid should be taken daily while taking MTX.  My doc advised me to take 2/day and 6 on the day before, day of and day after taking MTX.  If you find you are suffering a lot of side effects from the MTX, you may want to ask your doctor for a prescription for Leukovoran.  It can only be taken exactly 24 hours after taking MTX and functions like an antidote.  
I was on the pill form at first but had to switch to injections because the side effects from the pills were worse than the injections.  Once I switched to injections and added the leukovoran, I was able to function better the day after taking the shots.  
With side effects in mind, I suggest you pick a day of the week when you will have a less demanding day the next day.  Also, avoid alcohol while taking this medication.  How often is your doctor setting up follow ups to track your liver function?  Did you get a flu and pneumonia shot?  Because MTX surpresses your immune system, it is important that you get those if you have not already.
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