folic acid supplementation

Me again - I am confused.  I am on methotrexate injections once weekly.  I just received a prescription for folic acid and they told me to take 1-3mg a day depending on what works for me.  My question is - do you still take it on the day you do your injections or will it counter at the mtx and I should wait until 24 hours after the injection?    

[carolanivey]

Hi! Maybe I can help.

I've been on mtx orally and more recently by injection for 18 years. Take your folic acid 24 hours *after* your mtx dose. It's important you don't take them together or they will "fight" with each other for the same chemical receptors, which will make your mtx less effective.

I take a 5mg prescription of leucovorin calcium (fancy name for folic acid) 24 hours after my mtx. There is also folic acid in many vitamin supplements, so I also do not take a vitamin on my mtx day. In addition, I take an 800 mcg over-the-counter folic acid every day, except of course for the two days I take mtx and the prescription folic acid.

I hope this is helpful. The folic acid will go a long way toward preventing side effects of the mtx, mainly mouth sores and hair loss. If you're still getting mouth sores - or even a sore tongue without open sores - ask to up the folic acid dose.

Hang in there!