Methotrexate and Herpes zoster oticus - a phase IV clinical study of FDA data

Summary:

Herpes zoster oticus is reported as a side effect among people who take Methotrexate (methotrexate sodium), especially for people who are female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for 5 - 10 years also take Folic Acid, and have Psoriatic arthropathy.

The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people have Herpes zoster oticus when taking Methotrexate. It is created by eHealthMe based on reports of 599,650 people who have side effects when taking Methotrexate from the FDA, and is updated regularly.

What is Methotrexate?

Methotrexate has active ingredients of methotrexate sodium. It is often used in rheumatoid arthritis. eHealthMe is studying from 604,312 Methotrexate users. Check the latest studies of Methotrexate.

What is Herpes zoster oticus?

Herpes zoster oticus (viral infection of the inner, middle, and external ear caused by varicella-zoster virus (vzv)) is found to be associated with 62 drugs and 167 conditions by eHealthMe. Check the latest studies of Herpes zoster oticus.

On Jul, 18, 2026

599,650 people reported to have side effects when taking Methotrexate.
Among them, 61 people (0.01%) have Herpes zoster oticus.

Could Methotrexate cause Herpes zoster oticus?

Among these 61 people:

How long have people been on Methotrexate when they have Herpes zoster oticus? *

What is the gender of people who have Herpes zoster oticus when taking Methotrexate? *

female: 58.82 %
male: 41.18 %

What is the age of people who have Herpes zoster oticus when taking Methotrexate? *

What are other drugs people take besides Methotrexate? *

Folic Acid: 21 people, 34.43%
Plaquenil: 12 people, 19.67%
Prednisolone: 11 people, 18.03%
Ramipril: 9 people, 14.75%
Aspirin: 9 people, 14.75%
Inflectra: 9 people, 14.75%
Cetirizine Hydrochloride: 9 people, 14.75%
Humira: 8 people, 13.11%
Risedronate Sodium: 7 people, 11.48%
Enbrel: 7 people, 11.48%

What are other side effects people have besides Herpes zoster oticus? *

Herpes Zoster: 25 people, 40.98%
Vessel Perforation: 14 people, 22.95%
Spinal Stenosis (narrowing of spinal column): 14 people, 22.95%
Blood Pressure Diastolic Decreased: 14 people, 22.95%
C-Reactive Protein Increased: 13 people, 21.31%
Aortic Valve Disease: 12 people, 19.67%
Blood Pressure Systolic Increased: 12 people, 19.67%
Heart Rate Decreased: 10 people, 16.39%
Weight Increased: 9 people, 14.75%
Viith Nerve Paralysis: 7 people, 11.48%

What are the existing conditions these people have? *

Psoriatic Arthropathy (inflammation of the skin and joints with kin condition which typically causes patches (plaques) of red, scaly skin to develop): 17 people, 27.87%
Hypersensitivity: 14 people, 22.95%
Osteoporosis (bones weak and more likely to break): 7 people, 11.48%
Pain: 5 people, 8.20%
Ulcerative Colitis (inflammatory bowel disease (ibd). it causes swelling, ulcerations, and loss of function of the large intestine): 1 person, 1.64%
Psoriasis (immune-mediated disease that affects the skin): 1 person, 1.64%
Ovarian Cysts (fluid filled sacs of the ovary): 1 person, 1.64%
Multiple Sclerosis (a nervous system disease that affects your brain and spinal cord. it damages the myelin sheath): 1 person, 1.64%
Juvenile Arthritis (arthritis-related condition that develops in children or teenagers): 1 person, 1.64%
Enlarged Prostate: 1 person, 1.64%

* Approximation only. Some reports may have incomplete information.

Do you take Methotrexate and have Herpes zoster oticus?

- Check whether Herpes zoster oticus is associated with a drug or a condition
- Predict drug outcomes for up to one year with AI
- Get an AI agent to monitor your drugs continuously

Related studies:

Effectiveness of, long term effects of, and alternative drugs to Methotrexate:

Methotrexate (604,312 reports)

Browse all side effects of Methotrexate:

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Browse all the drugs that are associated with Herpes zoster oticus:

Herpes zoster oticus (62 drugs)

Browse all the conditions that are associated with Herpes zoster oticus:

Herpes zoster oticus (167 conditions)

Related publications that referenced our studies

Henien M, Carey B, Hullah E, Sproat C, Patel V, "methotrexate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw: A report of two cases", Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology, 2017 Dec .
Henien M, Carey B, Hullah E, Sproat C, Patel V, "methotrexate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw: A report of two cases", Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology, 2017 Dec .

How the study uses the data?

The study uses data from the FDA. It is based on methotrexate sodium (the active ingredients of Methotrexate) and Methotrexate (the brand name). Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g. generic drugs) are not considered. Dosage of drugs is not considered in the study.

How to use the study?

DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting your doctor. If there are any serious or long term adverse effects discovered in the study, discuss the study with your doctor to ensure that proper medication management will be in place if applicable.

Who is eHealthMe?

With medical big data and proven AI/ML algorithms, eHealthMe provides a platform for everyone to run phase IV clinical trials. We study millions of patients and 5,000 more each day. Results of our real-world drug study have been referenced on 800+ peer-reviewed medical publications, including The Lancet, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Nature. Our analysis results are available to researchers, health care professionals, patients (testimonials), and software developers (open API).

WARNING, DISCLAIMER, USE FOR PUBLICATION

WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.

DISCLAIMER: All material available on eHealthMe.com is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. All information is observation-only. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Different individuals may respond to medication in different ways. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. The use of the eHealthMe site and its content is at your own risk.

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