What is the connection between methotrexate and folic acid?
methotrexate is a drug used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks joint tissue, causing joints throughout the body inflamed and damaged. Methotrexate works by reducing the immune system, but can have toxic effects on bone marrow and heart and liver function. It is believed that the use of vitamin known as B9 or folic acid reduces the toxicity of methotrexate, although this interaction between methotrexate and folic acid has caused controversy. At present, there is no consensus regarding the correct dose of folic acid, or whether the dose can be sufficiently increased to reduce the toxicity of methotrexate without preventing the proper work of methotrexate. Possible side effects include ulcers in the mouth, rashes, diarrhea, nausea and hair loss. The medicine can also cause problems with jathers and can affect bone marrow, leading to too few blood cells. Sometimes may have methotrexate to make the lungs behindThey burned, and can be experienced without breath. By using methotrexate and folic acid, some doctors have recommended to reduce the risk of such side effects.
The reason for recommendations that folic acid supplements are removed with methotrexate is that it is known that methotrexate causes lack of folate. Folate is a naturally occurring form of vitamin B9, while folic acid is a synthetic version. While some research studies have shown that folic acid can reduce side effects of methotrexate, there are concerns that folic acid can also reduce the effectiveness of the drug. On the other hand, up to about a third of patients cease to take methotrexate during the year due to side effects, so the combination of methotrexate and folic acid would be beneficial if it allows patients to continue with their medicines longer.
Although the combined effects of methotrexate and kisse are still evaluatedElina folic, some doctors recommend using folic acid every week, the day after a dose of methotrexate to take advantage of possible benefits. Others recommend that folic acid should only be administered to patients who may have increased requirements, for example due to infection causing reduced folate levels. Until more research on the use of methotrexate and folic acid together, patients should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of treatment with their doctors.