drug-induced taste disturbance

Last reviewed 01/2018

Medications associated with taste disturbance include:

• Antibiotics and antifungals
  • ampicillin
  • azithromycin
  • ciprofloxacin
  • clarithromycin
  • griseofulvin
  • metronidazole
  • ofloxacin
  • tetracycline
    
    
• Anticonvulsants
  • carbamazepine
  • phenytoin
    
    
• Antidepressants
  • amitriptyline
  • clomipramine
  • desipramine
  • doxepin
  • imipramine
  • nortriptyline
    
    
• Antihistamines and decongestants
  • chlorpheniramine
  • loratadine
  • pseudoephedrine
    
    
• Antihypertensives and cardiac medications
  • acetazolamide
  • amiloride
  • betaxolol
  • captopril
  • diltiazem
  • enalapril
  • hydrochlorothiazide
  • nifedipine
  • propranolol
  • spironolactone
  • aspirin
  • clofibrate
  • phenidione
    
    
• Anti-inflammatory agents
  • colchicine
  • dexamethasone
  • gold
  • hydrocortisone
  • penicillamine
    
    
• Antimanic drug
  • lithium
    
    
• Antineoplastics
  • cisplatin
  • doxorubicin
  • methotrexate
  • vincristine
    
    
• Antiparkinsonian agents
  • Levodopa (Larodopa; with carbidopa)
    
    
• Antipsychotics
  • clozapine
  • trifluoperazine
    
    
• Antithyroid agents
  • propylthiouracil
  • carbimazole
    
    
• Lipid-lowering agents
  • fluvastatin
  • pravastatin
    
    
• Muscle relaxants
  • baclofen
  • dantrolene
    
    
• aspirin
• metformin
• griseofulvin

Reference:

• Bromley SM. Smell and Taste Disorders: A Primary Care Approach.Am Fam Physician. 2000 Jan 15;61(2):427-436.
• Prescriber 1999; 10 (12): 94.
• Pulse 2004; 63 (47): 80.