folic acid

[hadfield]

what would the advice be to someone taking a folic acid antagonist with folic aicd? do you increase the dose of folic acif taken? I have trawled through endless journals please give me some insight!!!

[johnep]

Trimethoprim and methotrexate are examples of folic acid antagonists. What is the product you are referring to?
johnep

[hadfield]

with regard to methotrexate, would the person be taken off it when they want to conceive? I am aware they are also recommended to take a contraceptive when on it.
For drugs such as anti epilepsy drugs where treatment cant really be stopped, does the patient just take 5mg of folic acid if they become pregnant? I read somewhere that they try to reduce the meds so they are only having a single drug and not many AEDS.

[Nik]

Take the folic acid when they're not taking the folate antagonist, e.g methotrexate 10mg weekly on a monday, folic acid every day except monday. I presume you are talking about methotrexate here.

[Nik]

For drugs such as anti epilepsy drugs where treatment cant really be stopped, does the patient just take 5mg of folic acid if they become pregnant? I read somewhere that they try to reduce the meds so they are only having a single drug and not many AEDS.

Although multiple drug therapy increases the risk of foetal malformations this has to be balanced against effective control of the epilepsy. The lowest effective doses of AED's should be used ideally. I think folic acid is given at 5mg doses before conception and for the first trimester of pregnancy.