Folic Acid Vs. Leucovorin | Arthritis Information

Hi All,

Any preference b/w folic acid and leucovorin as to which is best w/ Methotrexate to prevent side effects (such as hair loss - my biggie)?

Thank you,

Nori

Hi Nori,

I was losing a ton of hair, of which I didn't have much. Baby fine hair and not a ton of it. Anyway, the good news, it's slowed down tremendously.

I'm on 25 mg. MTX, with Humira and I take 1 mg. of folic acid every day (including MTX day) and 50 mg. of leucovorin 8-12 hours after I take my MTX.

I started out at a lower leucovorin dosage, but had to get up to that point for the hairloss to slow down.

I am on only 10mg of MTX and always had thick hair. I was put on 1mg of foloic acid and my hair was getting thinner. I am now on 2 mg and have very thick hair again.
Good luck.
Thinkthinn2008-06-16 06:50:54I was on 20 mg. MTX and 1 mg. of folic acid daily. I was switched to 10 mg. luecovorin only, one day after MTX. After starting MTX injections, I started getting nasty side effects and I wanted to increase the folic acid or leucovorin since it didn't seem to be working anymore. RD wouldn't do it, dropped my MTX dose instead. Your RD will have his own opinion of how/what/when you should take folic acid supplements with your MTX. I take bothThanks for the feedback. I was on 1 mg folic acid even as MTX increased to 8 tabs. All the while lots of hair falling out. I requested more folic acid after hearing that suggesting on this board.

Now with a new rheumatologist who would rather decrease MTX over trying leucovorin. Just thought I would try to find out if leucovorin is a fantasitic drug. I just don't understand why my doctor is so against it. I do take OTC biotin supplements to try to help.

Take care,

Nori

oh Littlemermaid,

Have you found the hair loss minimal w/ both drugs? How much MTX do you take?

Nori

You need both. Hey Catnip2,

I don't want to assume. Are you stating that I need both FA and leucovrin if I'm on MTX? if so, can you think of any reason why my doctor wouldn't let me try the other drug? So frustrating!!!

Nori

Hey Catnip2,

I don't want to assume. Are you stating that I need both FA and leucovrin if I'm on MTX? if so, can you think of any reason why my doctor wouldn't let me try the other drug? So frustrating!!!

Nori