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What Are The Side Effects Of Folitrax And Folinext For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Jun 2014
Question: Hello Dr. XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
My Dad, male, age 55, is suffering from arthritis since last 20-25 years. He has been visiting various doctors in XXXXXXX Recently he started visiting new doctor in XXXXXXX which gave him few medicines Few Questions regarding the same -

My dad has multiple symptoms which doctor diagnose as RA (Palindromic rheumatism and 2. Sjögren's syndrome ACPA +ve, OA knees). Doctor gave medicines for cure as Tab Folitrax 15 mg once a week and Folinext once morning daily and Prothiaden 25 once night daily. If pain is worst then only etoshine 90. After one month asked to review with CBC,SCPT, ESR, CRP(quantitative). If possible could you verfiy or help to tell if this above suggested medicines have least side effects with right treatment. Could you please suggest what are side effects of these medicines, other options to have best output of medicines and reduce side effects. Any suggestion about diet intake, specific food, exercise, alcohol or yoga or any home remedy for pain relief.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Divya Agarwal (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it is the right medication

Detailed Answer:
hello XXXXXXX
As you are suggesting your father is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The medicines that have been started for him are fine, they are called DMARDs. They are the main medicines for arthritis.

However the medication for RA has advanced considerably, you need to be in constant touch with your doctor because the medication needs to be continually modified until he reaches a state of remission which means that there should be minimal swelling and pain in his joints.

Osteoarthritis of knee ofcourse is a separate issue; what should help him is physiotherapy, exercise, using pain releiving gels, wearing knee cap.
In case the requirement of pain killeris high he should consider joint injections.

There is no specific food, however his diet should be rich in calcium and he should be taking a vitamin D supplement.
His weight should be maintained so the should avoid sugar and refined foods.
Yoga can be performed according to pain in knee, he should avoid sitting on floor.
Other home remedy is to take turmeric, turmeric 3 parts mixed with black pepper 1 part should be consumed daily.

The side effects of medication is on liver and blood counts and that is why your doctor has asked for tests after 1 month, however these are very safe medicines, people use them for years without any problem.

Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Divya Agarwal

Rheumatologist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 659 Questions

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What Are The Side Effects Of Folitrax And Folinext For Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Brief Answer: it is the right medication Detailed Answer: hello XXXXXXX As you are suggesting your father is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. The medicines that have been started for him are fine, they are called DMARDs. They are the main medicines for arthritis. However the medication for RA has advanced considerably, you need to be in constant touch with your doctor because the medication needs to be continually modified until he reaches a state of remission which means that there should be minimal swelling and pain in his joints. Osteoarthritis of knee ofcourse is a separate issue; what should help him is physiotherapy, exercise, using pain releiving gels, wearing knee cap. In case the requirement of pain killeris high he should consider joint injections. There is no specific food, however his diet should be rich in calcium and he should be taking a vitamin D supplement. His weight should be maintained so the should avoid sugar and refined foods. Yoga can be performed according to pain in knee, he should avoid sitting on floor. Other home remedy is to take turmeric, turmeric 3 parts mixed with black pepper 1 part should be consumed daily. The side effects of medication is on liver and blood counts and that is why your doctor has asked for tests after 1 month, however these are very safe medicines, people use them for years without any problem. Regards