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Sulfasalazine and folic and.

Posted , 6 users are following.

martin_F
martin_F

I've being on sulfasalazine for about 14 years now, but have seen info online that says you should be given folic acid if on sulfasalazine which I was never given or told to take, anyone any views or are you on sulfasalazine with or without folic acid, thanks.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • lynn15111
    lynn15111 martin_F

    Posted

    Just take over the counter folic acid, double the dose because a prescription will only give your 1 or 0.8 whatever the measure is, so two of the 0.4 otc would fulfill that.  However I thought the folic acid was necessary when you take MTX.
  • EileenH
    EileenH martin_F

    Posted

    I was just going to give the link - then realised I can't on here without it being moderated!

    This is a short excerpt from the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust leaflet about sulphasalzine:

    "Can you take other medicines with the new treatment?

    - Other antibiotics can make Sulfasalazine less effective by interfering with its absorption.

    - Sulfasalazine can reduce absorption into the body of the heart drug Digoxin.

    - Sulfasalazine can also reduce the absorption of the vitamin Folic Acid. A few people on Sulfasalazine, therefore, need to take a folic acid supplement in the form of tablets.

    - If you are on Warfarin, the does may need to be altered". 

    So it depends on the patient - if you develop any side effects that are identifiable as due to lack of folate, you need a supplement. The majority of patients probably have enough in their diet to cover them. If you haven't had side effects, especially mouth ulcers, I doubt there is anything to worry about.

    Even patients on methotrexate sometimes get away without needing supplements although normally they do need some.

    • benji03
      benji03 EileenH

      Posted

      I’m also on sulfalazine and started to get a really sore tongue and mouth. I wasn’t given Folic Acid,  do you think this could help?
    • EileenH
      EileenH benji03

      Posted

      I don't know - but it is worth asking your doctor. Being on immunosuppressant drugs of any sort can also make you more likely to develop thrush - and that can also cause a sore tongue and mouth. But the doctor is the person to ask as they can see if anything is there.

  • LayneTX
    LayneTX martin_F

    Posted

    My doctor did prescribe me Leucovorin Calcium (folic acid) because my blood showed a bit low...forgive me I can't remember...liver or kidney markings??? 

    So she said just incase I should take these one time a week (4 tabs, 2 morning, 2 evening) 

     

  • timothy11402
    timothy11402 martin_F

    Posted

    In reference to LayneTX's response, I also take leucovorin which is the metabolized form of folic acid called follinic acid. My MTX prevented me from metabolizing prescription folic acid so I need the follinic acid. The need for it showed up in a blood test, called a CBC, which showed the volume of my red blood cells increased suddenly because of a folic acid deficiency.

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