Suggest Remedy To Regain Taste Sense And Appetite After Taking Metronidazole

Posted on Mon, 2 Dec 2013

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

Mon, 2 Dec 2013 Answered on

Thu, 26 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : While taking Metronidazole for my third bout with C Diff, I experienced bad or changed taste, causing loss of appetite. Dr. changed prescription to Vancomycin and advised "taste" problem would soon be gone. But it did not. It is now about 3 months since stopping Metronidazole and no relief. Had my mouth and teeth checked but it was not the problem. Drs. and Pharmacists tell me my taste "should" return, b ut I have lost weight and am starting to form bad eating habits. Can you help? P.S. The C Diff has apparently passed.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Please follow the suggestions below... Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, It is true that Metronidazole can change taste to feeling a metallic taste in mouth. As you have shifted to Vancomycin, you are reporting the same changed taste. You already checked with dentist and was no problem. That is good as metronidazole can cause problems to teeth, but the dentist excluded that. At this point, I suggest: - do the culture of oral mucosa swab for candida infection as fungus might arise due to use of antibiotics. - measure the levels of zinc in blood : use of metronidazole is associated with zinc deficiency. On the other hand, zinc deficiency can cause metallic taste. - keep gums or candy in the mouth to reduce bad taste Hope it answered to your inquiry! Feel free to ask me back if you have further questions! Dr.Klerida

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T