METHOTREXATE THERAPY FOR AUTOIMMUNE HEARING-LOSS - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

The management of autoimmune sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) continu es to challenge the otologist. Steroids and cyclophosphamide, the two traditional medications for this malady, are often associated with ser ious adverse reactions. In an effort to use a less toxic medication, t he authors treated five autoimmune SNHL patients with low dose oral me thotrexate. Methotrexate has been found to be very effective in rheuma toid arthritis patients with acceptable adverse reactions. Preliminary results from this study indicate that methotrexate has the potential of being effective for autoimmune SNHL and associated otologic symptom s. Tolerance has been very good and side effects have been minimal.