Drug-induced taste disorders: analysis of the French Pharmacovigilance Database and literature review

Taste disorders, generally poorly studied, have various causes. From 1985 to 1997, 305 observations of taste disorders imputed to drugs were notified to Regional Pharmacovigilance Centres. Patients were on average 54.4 years old and 58 per cent were women. Quantitative as well as qualitative disorders have been observed. Drugs mainly found were: angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, terbinafine, zopiclone, D-penicillamine, imidazole derivatives, quinolones, macrolides, carbimazole and calcium channel blockers. The outcome was favourable for 60.3 per cent of patients. The possible efficacy of zinc is discussed. It is generally considered that taste disorders are not a serious side-effect, but they can reduce the quality of life and lead to poor compliance with treatment.