The effects of leucovorin (folinic acid) on methotrexate therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Moshe Tishler*, Dan Caspi, Beno Fishel, Michael Yaron

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

92 Scopus citations

Abstract

High‐dose leucovorin (folinic acid) supplementation was tested in a prospective, unblinded manner for 4 weeks in 7 rheumatoid arthritis patients who were being treated successfully with low‐dose methotrexate (MTX). Nausea caused by MTX disappeared; however, the underlying rheumatic disease worsened in all patients. Subjective clinical assessment, Ritchie articular index, grip strength, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and levels of C‐reactive protein showed statistically significant deterioration. All these parameters improved after the leucovorin was stopped. This is the first direct clinical evidence implying folate antagonism in the action of low‐dose MTX therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)906-908
Number of pages3
JournalArthritis and Rheumatology
Volume31
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1988
Externally publishedYes

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