Can Loss Of Taste Be Due To A Medication Taken After Getting A Stroke?

Posted on Wed, 4 Jul 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 4 Jul 2018 Answered on

Fri, 1 Jul 2022 Last reviewed on

Question : Several months ago, my dad suffered a stroke. Since that time he has lost his sense of taste. Is there anything he can do to facilitate regaining his sense of taste? How likely is it that the loss of taste is being caused by one of the medications he's on rather than the stroke itself?

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Loss of taste from stroke is non recuperable .

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

If the lost of taste was immediately after stroke and didn't come gradually it is from stroke.
Some medications like
the antibiotic tetracycline
lithium, which is used to treat some psychiatric disorders
certain cardiac drugs
vitamins and supplements that contain zinc, chromium, or copper
make lost of taste but it comes gradually when starting to use them .
If lost of taste is from stroke it is non recuperable and you cant do anything to regain it.
Sometimes lack of vit B 12 and folic acid cause loss of taste and it can be regained with taking the vitamins.
If it is from medication it is recuperable and he will regain it after stoping medications.
He can help himself by
*keeping hydrated
*keeping a good hygiene of mouth washing and rinsing
*take vitamin B12, folic acid in case of deficiency
*can use sugar free chewing gum to help blood flow and salivation

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng