LOW-DOSE LEUCOVORIN DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE EFFICACY OF METHOTREXATE IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - AN 8 WEEK RANDOMIZED PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

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.