Why take folic acid when taking methotrexate?

If you’re taking methotrexate, the question of whether or not to take folic acid is one that’s bound to come up. After all, it’s not every day that your doctor tells you to take a medication used for chemotherapy! But don’t worry: We’ve got everything you need to know about why you should take folic acid with methotrexate – and we’ll make sure it doesn’t bore you out!

What is Methotrexate?

So before we can even start talking about folic acid, let’s first get acquainted with what methotrexate means. Simply put, it is a medication used primarily for cancer treatment – this includes leukemia, osteosarcoma, and breast cancer among other serious conditions. In rheumatology practice , however , it has become also popular as an effective drug in the management of various autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) , Crohn’s disease and psoriasis.

Methotrexate exerts its therapeutic benefits by blocking biological pathways involved in rapid cell growth – an action which ultimately leads towards prevention.of uncontrolled proliferation of affected cells causing havoc inside our body( eg : Cancer Cells). As I said earlier,it’s quite versatile so depending on the dose prescribed,it might be taken once a week orally via mouth or self-injected at home under dermatologist supervision .

But did anyone mention side effects ⚠️ ?

Oh yes! And some are amusing (not true!) while most aren’t fun 😭…ranging from fatigue/weakness,dizziness,sensitivity to sunlight,rashes etc.also unfortunately these agents play no favorites; they hit guys and gals alike ☹️.

The Need For Folic Acid

Now back onto business: when starting on methotreaxte therapy,a high priority concern of every healthcare expert is how to minimize the risk and/or severity of potential drug toxicities which accompanying the therapy. And that’s where folic acid comes in!

Methotrexate works by inhibiting an important enzyme known as dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) 🤯. As DHFR is an essential protein needed for DNA synthesis and cellular replication, its inhibition would not only target cancer cells but also normal growing/ reproducing (follicular,Digestive etc.) thereby causing harm to our body too.

What Does Folic Acid Do?

Folic acid is a type of B-vitamin found in leafy greens,cereals and many fortified foods.It helps support the growth/survival of precise physiological processes that require maximal cell proliferation such as regular formation/red blood cells s production 💪🏼 , regeneration/healing/cauterization OF CIRCULAR TISSUES . So taking folic acid supplementation whilst you are on methotrexate replenishes your body with this vital nutrient, helping prevent side effects while at it !

In essence FOLIC ACID provides adequate amounts of functioning DHFR enzymes available before,middle,or after subsequent doses ;thus serving as extra backup agency capable providing diversified sources highly required ‘cell killers’ couldn’t .

The Benefits Of Taking Folic Acid

When given post-outset with Methrotexarne :-

  • Minimize common Toxic Side Effects” besides providing folinate/folate needed
    as building materials making new healthy functional machinery during high cell turnover periods(initiation of therapeutic effects could be delayed)
  • reduces inflammation associate complications or serious outcomes.
  • Helps reduce hair loss: although it’s not guaranteed 😩
    • One can never have enough hair though,right?

Anyway , In conclusion taking folic acid supplement along with methotrexate treatment regimen could effectively improve treatment outcomes while simultaneously reduce the possibility of experiencing aforementioned complications .

How Much Folic Acid Should You Take?

Great question! There is not really a magic number or optimal dose of supplemental folic acid;however, it rests on varying variables such as patient age , individual medical condition, etc.

In general doses ranging between 1 – 5 mg per day can suffice depending on what your clinician recommends. But that‘s just me quoting everyone else…more often than not clinicians have to jack up the dosage in order to make prescription management more personalized 🤯

What If I Forget To Take Folic Acid?

Now we are talking! Could an oversight be rectified? The answer appears somewhat blurry . With everything going around us from office deadlines,wash. Rinse & repeat home chores and managing our health (whilst frequenting dinnertime with loved ones) ; one could easily miss out on taking their supplements – so don’t feel bad !

The key principle here is Consistency ,Consistency ,Did I say Consistency already ? So Just do your best remember picking multiple suppplement tablets at same time isn’t harmful. Got your tablet size wrong ? No worries ! Speak openly to pharmacist for guidance.

Just get back onto track ASAP 🔜- when you eventually notice missed opportunity regretting won’t help either.

Methotrexate therapy has proven beneficial for several conditions but unfortunately comes along with some potentially unpleasant side effects; however supplementing folates through folic acid play critical role serving both preventive and curative purposes . Though all prescribed medications must be taken under appropriate clinical framework,failing memory leading forgetting too take medicines should never serve as waiver excusing individuals from making progress towards long term wellness goals .

So in summing things off 😎 : Always stay consistent til infinity …And Beyond !

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