Another MTX Research Question.

[Guest guest]

Hello to all and here's hoping you are having a pain-free day.

We have talked about MTX and Folic Acid, and the consensus seems to be that

although there is no good research on the question, taking Folic Acid with MTX

is probably a good idea at the dose levels (i.e., 7.5 to 25 mg. per week) common

to Still's and other non-cancerous problems. Those who take Folic Acid seem to

range in amount from 1 mg. per day up to 5 mg. per day. I, myself, take 3 mg.

per day of Folic Acid and 17.5 mg. per week of MTX. That combination seems to

work well for me so far in terms of limiting side effects of the MTX.

My next question relates to another myth or tradition about which there seems to

be no good research data. Why do we take MTX once per week, and experience

roller-caoster effects of varying levels of anti-inflammatory action in our

bodies rather than taking a small dose of MTX daily and keeping the blood level

of the drug fairly constant in our bodies? The answer I get from Rheumies is

that it is safer on the liver to handle one big dose a week rather than small

daily doses. When I ask for data, there is none, other than vague references to

long ago when MTX was tried with Psoriasis and someone studied the effects of

small daily doses versus larger weekly doses on the liver.

Does anyone know of any scientific studies that have been done on this question

of weekly versus more regular doses of MTX?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Riding the roller-coaster in Front Royal, VA, USA: Cannon

JCannon@...