There are many causes for a metallic taste in the mouth. While it can be a symptom of a serious medical condition, most often a metallic taste in the mouth is caused by a dry mouth or other harmless situation. Several drugs also contribute to this unpleasant symptom as a side effect, including medications taken both orally and those administered by injection or IV.
Indinavir
A metallic taste in the mouth is one of the most frequent side effects of the antiretroviral drug indinavir, which is used to treat HIV, reports the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Antibiotics
Several antibiotics can cause a metallic taste in the mouth. Of the more well-known types include metronidazole, which is used to treat the intestinal infection giardia; rifampin, used in treating tuberculosis; griseofulvin, an anti-fungal for skin infections; and clarithromycin and tetracycline, both used to treat a variety of infections.
Captopril
Captopril, used for treating high blood pressure and hypertension, is a common drug-related cause of a metallic taste in the mouth, according to author and healthy aging expert Dr. Andrew Weil.
Drugs for Thyroid Problems
Anti-thyroid medications and diuretics are also included among the drugs that can cause a metallic taste in the mouth.
Chemotherapy and Cancer Treatment Drugs
Many drugs used for treating cancers play a role in the experience of a metallic taste in the mouth. Some examples include procarbazine, vinblastine, vincristine and dacarbazine.
Carbon Anhydrase Inhibitors
Acetazolamide and methazolamide, which are carbonic anhydrase inhibitors used for treating glaucoma, can cause a metallic taste in the mouth.
Other Drugs
Other drugs known for the side effect of a metallic taste in the mouth include calcitrol, used with breast cancer patients and those undergoing chronic renal dialysis; lithium, commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder, or manic depression; and penicillamine, a drug used for treating kidney stones, rheumatoid arthritis and when a patient has too much copper in the body.
References
- The Medical News: Calcitrol Stimulates Protein That Inhibits Growth of Breast Cancer Cells
- MayoClinic.com: Glaucoma--Treatments and Drugs
- Wrong Diagnosis: Medications or Substances Causing Metallic Taste
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Characteristics of Available Antiretroviral Drugs
- Dr. Weil: Metallic Taste in Your Mouth?
