Re: Leucovorin vs folic acid

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan,

I take MTX (in pill form) along with folic acid. Here is how my Doctor said

to take it.

4 tablets of MTX on Friday mornings

4 tablets of MTX on Saturday mornings.

1 folic acid tablet every morning with out fail (even on days when I take

the MTX

I am currently also taking

2 Sulfasalazine in the morning and in the evening

1 Prednisone each morning

1 Diclofinac in the morning and in the evening

And oh by the way it is not working, cause I still have stiffness and pain.

At next appointment Doctor states that he may be changing me to injections

on the MTX if the swelling/pain is not better.

Terri

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of Jan

Sent: Monday, March 14, 2011 12:17 PM

Subject: [ ] Leucovorin vs folic acid

I'm about to start treatment with Methotrexate and initially my rheum also

prescribed folic acid tablets daily, which she said would lessen the side

effects of MTX.

Later, however, I came across information on Leucovorin, which is folinic

acid, a faster acting and stronger form of folic acid. Supposedly it's

better than folic acid when used in conjunction with MTX because its

bioavailability is higher.

My rheum said I could use Leucovorin if I preferred. The tablet is taken

only once per week, 18-24 hours after the MTX injection.

So now I'm confused. For those of you on MTX injections, which one do you

take?

I also wanted to use single-dose vials of MTX in order to avoid the

preservative (benzyl alcohol) in the multi-dose vials, but my pharmacy tells

me they can't get the single-dose vials. [sigh]

Jan

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan

 

I used to take 8 mtx pills per week on fridays (along with enterocoated

sulfasalazine everyday) and 24 hours later I would take leucovorin (folinic

acid) and saturday to thursday, i would take folic acid. So i took both folinic

and folic acid which made the side effects almost non-existent.

 

Miriam

From: Jan <jmas@...>

Subject: [ ] Leucovorin vs folic acid

Date: Monday, March 14, 2011, 9:17 AM

 

I'm about to start treatment with Methotrexate and initially my rheum also

prescribed folic acid tablets daily, which she said would lessen the side

effects of MTX.

Later, however, I came across information on Leucovorin, which is folinic acid,

a faster acting and stronger form of folic acid. Supposedly it's better than

folic acid when used in conjunction with MTX because its bioavailability is

higher.

My rheum said I could use Leucovorin if I preferred. The tablet is taken only

once per week, 18-24 hours after the MTX injection.

So now I'm confused. For those of you on MTX injections, which one do you take?

I also wanted to use single-dose vials of MTX in order to avoid the preservative

(benzyl alcohol) in the multi-dose vials, but my pharmacy tells me they can't

get the single-dose vials. [sigh]

Jan

[Guest guest]

Miriam, that's interesting - thank you. I wasn't sure about taking both.

I'm curious why you are no longer on MTX. Was it not working for you?

Jan

On Mar 16, 2011, at 2:19 AM, Miriam Guemes wrote:

> Hi Jan

>

> I used to take 8 mtx pills per week on fridays (along with enterocoated

sulfasalazine everyday) and 24 hours later I would take leucovorin (folinic

acid) and saturday to thursday, i would take folic acid. So i took both folinic

and folic acid which made the side effects almost non-existent.

>

> Miriam

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan.

 

Leucovorin is the only folic acid I take and have taken since day one, 7 years

ago.  I do take one pill 24 hrs. after I inject my MTX.  I have no nausea or

sickness etc.  My Rheumy wanted me to take the Leucovorin since day one.

 

Good luck with your RA meds.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: Jan <jmas@...>

Subject: [ ] Leucovorin vs folic acid

Date: Monday, March 14, 2011, 3:17 PM

 

I'm about to start treatment with Methotrexate and initially my rheum also

prescribed folic acid tablets daily, which she said would lessen the side

effects of MTX.

Later, however, I came across information on Leucovorin, which is folinic acid,

a faster acting and stronger form of folic acid. Supposedly it's better than

folic acid when used in conjunction with MTX because its bioavailability is

higher.

My rheum said I could use Leucovorin if I preferred. The tablet is taken only

once per week, 18-24 hours after the MTX injection.

So now I'm confused. For those of you on MTX injections, which one do you take?

I also wanted to use single-dose vials of MTX in order to avoid the preservative

(benzyl alcohol) in the multi-dose vials, but my pharmacy tells me they can't

get the single-dose vials. [sigh]

Jan