Vitamin B9Can you take folic acid with methotrexate?
Updated 9 Nov 2026
Short answer
For rheumatoid arthritis, trials gave folic acid with low-dose methotrexate. A 2013 Cochrane review of 6 trials with 624 patients found 26% fewer stomach and gut side effects and 77% fewer abnormal liver tests, and methotrexate worked as well.[1] For cancer treatment it is different: folate could interfere with the drug, so the oncologist should be asked first.[2]
Sources (2)
- Folic acid and folinic acid for reducing side effects in patients receiving methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. Shea B, Swinden MV, Tanjong Ghogomu E, Ortiz Z, Katchamart W, Rader T, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2013. PMID 23728635
- Folate: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
More about vitamin b9
What is vitamin B9?Which foods contain folate?What is vitamin B9 used for?Who is likely to be low in folate?Is vitamin B9 safe?How long does folic acid take to raise folate levels?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.