Since I started the injectible MTX, I've started having constant problems with cold sores on my face. I've been plagued with them since I was five years old, but nothing like this. Research on line tells me that this is a MTX side effect, and cold sores as well as shingles is more likely while on this drug. Great. I can keep them under control by taking acyclovir and it works very well, but I don't want to expose my liver to this additional drug every day as long as I'm on MTX. Anyway, I'm going to call the RD about this problem and I'm hoping he'll just up my folic acid. But he may drop my MTX dosage. I'd like to know how much I'm taking compared to when I was taking the pills, and all my searching of conversion tables is not helping. Maybe I just don't understand the math of it. Anyway, I was taking 20 mg. weekly and now I take .8 ml weekly of the injectible. Is that the same as 20 mg. or more? I know it's not 25 mg. because the 50 mg. vial has some left over after I've drawn two syringes. I don't think I want to drop down to anything less than 20 mg. so I'd like to know what I'm taking now before I call the RD. Can anyone help me?
Buckeye and Joie, thank you for your help. At first I thought I was taking the equivalent of 25 mg. because I saw that number on the prescription. But now I believe it was just a type of measurement overall. It's true I am feeling more benefit, even though it seems to be the same dose. The RD said injectible is 20-30% more effective when injected. So, maybe I could cut back just a bit if he says to, though I'd rather not. I'm still hoping for an increase in the folic acid instead, unless of course, that would cancel out too much of the MTX benefit. It seems to be a delicate balance. Thanks again.