Taste changes on treatment: when food tastes different and when to call

Taste buds on the tongue pick up sweet, salty, sour, bitter and savoury. The nose picks up smells. The brain puts both together, which is why most flavours need taste and smell at the same time (MSD Manual).

So when your nose is blocked, for example with a cold, food can seem bland. Changes in smell often show up first as changes in taste (MSD Manual; gesund.bund.de).

The product information for some weight-management medicines names a change in the way food or drink tastes as a possible side effect. It also lists a change in skin sensation. The package leaflet that comes with your medicine lists all possible side effects, so read it in full and ask your pharmacist or doctor if anything is unclear (EMA product information).

Other causes are common too. A very dry mouth, not drinking enough, heavy smoking, gum inflammation, colds and flu, low levels of some nutrients such as zinc, and other medicines, including some antibiotics, antidepressants and diuretics, can all reduce or distort taste. With age, the sense of taste also tends to become weaker (MSD Manual).

A changed taste is usually not a sign of anything serious, but it is worth noticing and mentioning.

A dry mouth can make taste changes stronger. Sip cold water regularly through the day and keep some water by your bed. Sugar-free gum or sugar-free sweets can help your mouth feel less dry (NHS).

Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and use an alcohol-free mouthwash. A dry mouth makes tooth decay more likely (NHS). Lots of alcohol, caffeine or fizzy drinks can make a dry mouth worse (NHS).

Tell your dentist about your treatment and about any mouth changes at your next check-up.

Water is the best everyday drink, and very sweet, salty and fatty foods are best kept as the exception (DGE). It can be tempting to add extra salt or sugar when food tastes bland. Herbs and spices are a gentler way to add flavour.

Some people find it helps to try foods at different temperatures, to rinse the mouth with water before eating, or to choose foods with a pleasant texture. If a favourite food tastes odd for a while, try something else from the same food group. Building meals around vegetables, fruit, wholegrains and pulses keeps your eating varied (DGE).

With a quieter appetite, a changed taste can mean you eat less than you need. If you are struggling to eat regularly, talk to your doctor.

See your GP or contact your prescribing doctor if taste problems do not go away, if you are struggling to eat regularly, if your mouth is painful, red, swollen or bleeding, if you have sore white patches in your mouth, or if you think a medicine might be the cause (NHS). Outside surgery hours, call the medical on-call service on 116117 (116117.de).

Call 112 straight away if one side of the face droops, an arm feels weak or numb, or speech becomes slurred or confused. These can be signs of a stroke, even if they stop after a short time (NHS; gesundheitsinformation.de).

Also call 112 if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, light-headedness or a racing heartbeat (EMA product information). The 112 call is free and available day and night (gesund.bund.de).

Mention taste or smell changes, a dry mouth and all other medicines and supplements you take in your questionnaire and when you talk to your prescribing doctor. Do not change, pause or stop your treatment on your own, even if you think it might be causing the change (NHS). Your doctor decides with you what happens next.

A doctor reviews your information and decides on the prescription. You can report suspected side effects in Germany through the BfArM and PEI reporting portal.

This Journal article gives general information about taste changes during prescribed weight-management treatment. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription or a promise of any result. Your prescribing doctor decides on eligibility, dose changes and personal limits after a clinical review. This article is for information and does not replace medical advice.