I have seen alot posted about Folic Acid and how it can help with the deficiencies either caused by RA or the medications used to treat. Is the over the counter supplement "Folic Acid" the same as the "Folic Acid" prescribed? I see AI posts stating that some members take 1mg of Folic Acid but the OTC is in 400mg and 800mg...
Thanks for any clarification!!!
Connie
I take the OTC folic acid and I take 4 tablets on the day I take my MTX
My RD said I could take OTC or prescription either one as long as I get 1 mg. The OTC ones come in micrograms. So, I take an 800 mcg. folic acid and a multivitamin with has 400 mcg. of folic acid.Yea 2.5 OTC tablets of folic acid is the same as 1mg of the precription folic acidfor me paying the prescription co=pay was less expensive than buying the OTC versionI take 5mg as recommended by my Rheumy, 4 to 5 times a week. Generally NOT on MTX day. He gave me a script for it but it turned out cheaper over the counter.
My OB/Gyn said OTC is not good enough and to take the script.
Pip
I take 1mg daily. No doctor ever told me not to take it on the MTX day. (but they did tell me not to drink)As long as you get the proper amount of folic acid you can take OTC. Like buckeye...it is cheaper for me to get it prescribed than buy it over the counter.
Opinions vary between doctors on whether to take folic acid the day of your mtx shot or not. All studies I read on the subject were inconclusive. My doc says take it every day so that is what I do. However your doc says to take it just make sure you do since mtx causes a really nasty folic acid deficency.
Matthew...you can have a few beers a week from what I understand. I think they tell you not to drink because mtx is hard on the liver and so is alcohol. Just keep it mellow. There are several people here that have a few glasses of a wine a week or a few beers a week.
Hi,
The OTC folic acid is usually 400 or 800 microgrammes (which is perfect as an added extra for women thinking about getting pregnant but not quite enough for someone on MTX whose natural store of folic acid is being depleted by the meds). In the Uk we are prescribed 5 miligrammes per day apart form the day we take the MTX (this is an "overdose" to allow for the amount that will be depleted by the MTX). I would have to take 12 of the 400 microgram tablets every day to get the right dose so I stick to my prescription... I know that medical opinion of how much folic acid you need and when to take it differs so if you're unsure I'd check with your Dr.
KT
Yea depending on how much your dr wants you to take it sometimes is cheaper to go the route of the percription. But for those that dont have ins it might be cheaper to get the OTC