Low dose leucovorin does not interfere with the efficacy of methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis: an 8 week randomized placebo controlled trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if simultaneously administered low dose leucovorin interferes with the efficacy of methotrexate (MTX). METHODS: An 8-week double blind placebo controlled study of leucovorin (1 mg) in 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving chronic MTX was performed at a single academic center. RESULTS: A flare of disease activity was not observed. Clinical variables of arthritis activity did not change in the leucovorin treated population. CONCLUSIONS: Low dose leucovorin when taken simultaneously with MTX did not interfere with the efficacy of MTX in a short term 8 week trial.