Diseases & Conditions

Tips to fight "metal mouth"

Is your medication causing a metallic taste in your mouth? Try these strategies.

By , Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter

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We have thousands of medications that help prevent or fight disease and infection. Unfortunately, many of them can cause a persistent metallic taste in the mouth. This side effect is a type of taste distortion called dysgeusia, sometimes referred to as "metal mouth." The symptom is extremely unpleasant and can have a severe impact on your mood, appetite, nutrition, and quality of life.

Why do drugs cause metal mouth?

Medications might lead to metal mouth for a number of reasons.

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About the Author

photo of Heidi Godman

Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter

Heidi Godman is the executive editor of the Harvard Health Letter. Before coming to the Health Letter, she was an award-winning television news anchor and medical reporter for 25 years. Heidi was named a journalism fellow … See Full Bio
View all posts by Heidi Godman

About the Reviewer

photo of Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter

Dr. Anthony L. Komaroff is the Steven P. Simcox/Patrick A. Clifford/James H. Higby Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, senior physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, and editor in chief of the Harvard … See Full Bio
View all posts by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

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