Folic acid dosage? | Arthritis Information

Hi, I have been reading through some of the other posts in the other threads. Im currently in my 2nd week of taking MTX, 3rd session on Sunday when I'll be taking 7.5mg, so far so good and no side effects. Easing off the Pred and feelin ok except slight pain in my right wrist. I take folic acid every Friday (5mg) to limit the side effects. Was just wondering if this dose of folic acid is a large, moderate or small amount and if it will have an effect on limiting the side effects? Im pertified of them all and the idea of hair loss is scary as I'm only 20. Whats everyones experiences? I'll eventually be on 12.5mg of MTX and 5mg of folic acid a week, is this an average amount? Anyone wth the same dose, did the acid help the side effects? Thanks x

I'm on max dose of MTX (25mg/week) and I take 2mg of folic acid daily 14mg/week--not taken weekly like you, which baffles me a bit. Why not daily? Anyway, I don't think 5mg is an awful lot, but I'd ask the doc why not get a little every day rather than once a week.

Your age has nothing to do with your fear of hair loss. I'm 56 and was terrified by the thought. I had my hairdresser practically counting my hairs each time I went. (Went today, actually, and when I asked, she had the answer ready, rolling her eyes and smiling at me--"you're fine, Sara.") The only side effect were a couple of mouth sores (no big deal--went away quickly) and when I reported them, the doc doubled my folic from 1 to 2 mg. I think the folic is helping me keep my healthy hair, and no mouth sores again. Only a slightly metalic taste in my mouth. I think folic also helps prevent anemia, but I don't know how I'm doing there. The doc takes blood like a vampire every month, so I'm sure he'd tell me if things were goofy. Folic acid is a good thing, even for those not on MTX. Worry not.

Thanks for the reply. I have only recently started the medication so I guess if I need more it will be increased. Plus I've been told that 12.5mg is a lower than average dose so perhaps thats why I dont need such a large dose of folic acid? Not entriely sure though. I'm hoping it works and he seems to think it should do so fingers crossed. Does MTX work well for you?

The whole hair thing does worry me but I guess its better to have pain free movement then lots of hair. My hair is quite long and always has been so I dont really like the sound of it thinning. As I say 2 weeks and no side effects as of yet so I'm keeping positive. x

I took my folic daily as well. But, mine was not scripted to me as my doc never told me it would help with MTX issues. I found that out by being on a mailing list for RA. I cannot even remember what I took but it obviously wasn't that much as it was OTC.

The only MTX effects I had were nausea and fatigue. My only experience with hair loss on it was minimal because my hair got thick while I was preggers but after delivery and then going on MTX, I lost basically the thickness I gained during my pg. At the time I freaked out because it seemed like a lot of hair loss. But, it is normal now.
hugs, wayney

I took 1mg folic acid everyday of the week except the day I got my MTX. I think the reason for the everyday dose is to maintain a level dosage of folic acid in the system. If you take it all in one dose you're going to have a big drop-off. Daily dosage eliminates that to a large extent.

MTX at the dosages taken for arthritis are not likely to cause your hair to fall out. They list all possible sideaffects, without telling you at what dosage level they occur. Don't panic.

There are lots of people here who are taking MTX and many of the areas here have questions and answers that concern MTX. I haven't seen anyone post that they lost their hair due to MTX. I hope this helps.