Folic Acid and vitamin c- whats too much?

I just started taking Methotrexate after recently being diagnosed with RA, and have been taking Lamictal for years now for my depression. I read that both Lamictal and Methotrexate depletes your body of folic acid. My question is- If I take a multi vitamin that has 200 mgs of vitamin C and 400 mcg's of folic acid- would it be too much to take another 500 mgs of vitamin C and 800 mcgs of folic acid on top of the multi vitamin? I just want to take extra precautions from getting sick.

[carolanivey]

Hi there,

I've been on mtx for over two decades and the numbers you describe don't sound like too much.

I take my mtx on Monday morning. On that day, I don't take a multivitamin or anything containing folic acid. The reason for this is, mtx and folic acid compete for the same chemical receptors in your body, so taking folic acid with mtx will reduce the effectiveness of both.

The beneficial action of the mtx causes a folic acid deficit, which is why you have to "rescue" with extra folic acid a day later. Taking additional on the other days may help ease some of the side effects.

24 hours AFTER the mtx dose, I take my prescription 5 mg folic acid tablet and my regular multivitamin. The rest of the week, I take my regular multivitamin and an additional, 800 mcg folic acid from Walmart. I don't take extra Vit. C regularly, but 500mg doesn't sound excessive as long as your stomach is tolerating it. Both C and folic acid are water-soluble so whatever your body doesn't use is excreted through your kidneys. They don't tend to build up to toxic levels in your bloodstream.

If there is a toxic amount of folic acid, I haven't heard what that is. Taking a little extra every day won't hurt you; in fact, pregnant women are encouraged to get  extra folic acid to prevent certain neurological problems in their babies.

Hope this helps!

[carolanivey]

Hi there,

I've been on mtx for over two decades and the numbers you describe don't sound like too much.

I take my mtx on Monday morning. On that day, I don't take a multivitamin or anything containing folic acid. The reason for this is, mtx and folic acid compete for the same chemical receptors in your body, so taking folic acid with mtx will reduce the effectiveness of both.

The beneficial action of the mtx causes a folic acid deficit, which is why you have to "rescue" with extra folic acid a day later. Taking additional on the other days may help ease some of the side effects.

24 hours AFTER the mtx dose, I take my prescription 5 mg folic acid tablet and my regular multivitamin. The rest of the week, I take my regular multivitamin and an additional, 800 mcg folic acid from Walmart. I don't take extra Vit. C regularly, but 500mg doesn't sound excessive as long as your stomach is tolerating it. Both C and folic acid are water-soluble so whatever your body doesn't use is excreted through your kidneys. They don't tend to build up to toxic levels in your bloodstream.

If there is a toxic amount of folic acid, I haven't heard what that is. Taking a little extra every day won't hurt you; in fact, pregnant women are encouraged to get  extra folic acid to prevent certain neurological problems in their babies.

Hope this helps!

[carolanivey]

Oh, I didn't comment on the Lamictal b/c I haven't had experience with it. Do you take it every day?

[genamarie73]

Hey- sorry I have been busy, and just now saw your reply! Thank you. Yes I take Lamictal everyday! I didn't know that about not taking Folic Acid on day of MXT..I will make sure not to take it on same day!  I appreciate your response!

[carolanivey]

You're very welcome. :)  I think you might want to talk with your doctor(s) about the Lamictal in combination with the mtx putting you in a more serious folic acid deficit than either on alone. Also check out http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php