Please discuss any options with your healthcare provider. It could be unrelated, but it’s important to seek care, especially if these symptoms are prolonged. If your loss of taste is related to one of your blood pressure pills, it’s probably reversible. When these receptors detect smells, they send a message to the brain. Medicines used to … Anything that causes a loss of sense of smell also damages taste as taste and smell are closely linked. By activating your account, you will create a login and password. The contents displayed within this public group(s), such as text, graphics, and other material ("Content") are intended for educational purposes only. Certain conditions and medications can cause you to be low in vitamins associated with smell and taste, like A, B6, B12, and zinc. Taste also involves nerves in the tongue that sense the texture of food we are eating. He or she might suggest switching to a different class of drugs or taking other steps. Anemia. Noncardiac drugs with this side effect include antibiotics, steroids, antidepressants and other mood- or behavior-stabilizing medications, and thyroid drugs. The nose contains delicate tissue with a generous blood supply so it can detect even faint scents. People with high blood pressure are more likely to lose their sense of taste and smell. What is smell? If it is because of a dry mouth from your diuretic, try sipping water between bites of food. Many medical issues may lead to a loss of taste. Other cardiovascular drugs that have been reported to alter taste include statins, clopidogrel (Plavix), and various beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and rhythm-controlling drugs (see list). The contents displayed within this public group(s), such as text, graphics, and other material ("Content") are intended for educational purposes only. Your nose and an area in the upper throat have special cells that contain odor receptors. Because diuretics prompt the kidneys to remove water from the body, they can make the mouth dry. An unexpected benefit of better blood pressure control? If the change you have noticed in your sense of taste is indeed due to captopril, switching to another ACE inhibitor or a different type of blood pressure drug may fix the problem. A diminished ability to taste might cause someone to increase their use of salt and sugar, which may negatively affect people who have diabetes or high blood pressure. Some of these issues are harmless, while others may require a doctor to diagnose them. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used in the treatment of heart failure, acne, and ascites from liver disease, and it may lead to loss of taste. If your medicine seems to affect taste, don’t stop taking it … General anesthesia does not appear to increase dementia risk, Harvard study: Unapproved drugs in brain-boosting supplements, Blood pressure medications may affect your mood, Use topical painkillers for strains and sprains, Harder workout intensity may not increase your longevity, Vitamins A, E, and D tied to fewer colds, lung disorders, What to look for in an online exercise video for older adults, Certain foods and drugs may lower risk of colon cancer, Gum disease linked to an increased risk for cancer, More daily movement may lower cancer deaths, Oral health problems may raise cancer risk. I don’t know your age, but perhaps that’s a part of what’s happening to you. A. They identify what is salty, sweet, sour or bitter. Less research has been done on how COVID-19 specifically affects taste. The ACE inhibitor captopril (Capoten) is in this group. Radiation after prostate cancer surgery may not be necessary, "Awe" walks inspire more joy, less distress, Hormone therapy and radiation may help with certain prostate cancer, Unlocking the mystery of chronic pelvic pain syndrome, Irregular and long menstrual cycles linked to shorter life, Women with DCIS at increased risk for breast cancer death, A silent condition may be taking a toll on your health, Smokers may have higher risk of brain aneurysm, Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, Get trusted advice from the doctors at Harvard Medical School, Learn tips for living a healthy lifestyle, Stay up-to-date on the latest developments in health, Receive special offers on health books and reports. In terms of medications, ACE inhibitors, the blood pressure medications ending in “-il” that we mentioned above, are the most common cause of taste disturbances. Atrial fibrillation: Shifting strategies for early treatment? Causes of loss of sense of smell vary and can range from. In additon, people with elevated blood pressure can experience loss of sense of smell and taste but your blood pressure does not seem high enough to have caused it. Anemia, a lack of red blood cells, can cause fatigue, pale skin, weakness, dizziness, headache and more. Although captopril is a likely suspect, it is possible that your diuretic may be causing or contributing to the problem. If your mouth is dry from diuretics, for example, you might try sipping water between bites. Most Common - Diarrhea, high blood pressure, hair color change, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite and vomiting Pentamidine Most Common - Vomiting, infection and loss of appetite Meniere's disease is a chronic inner ear condition that causes vertigo or extreme dizziness, and more. Anosmia is the medical term that refers to the loss of sense of smell. The information you share, including that which might otherwise be Protected Health Information, to this site is by design open to the public and is not a private, secure service. . Am I imagining this, or could the new drug be affecting my sense of taste? Taking certain medications can also interfere with the ability to taste. Damage from viruses, bacteria, pollution, and other insults can weaken the sense of smell. That said, certain types of high blood pressure drugs have been reported to cause loss of taste. However, rather than assume your loss of taste is due to age or blood pressure, let’s consider some other possible explanations. Some loss of taste sensation also occurs during the normal aging process, so elderly people may complain of decreased ability to taste foods. . Two other possibilities: The first has to do with age. Meditating a few minutes a day for a week or two can improve mood and stress levels. Sometimes loss of taste and smell contributes to depression. We know smell loss is one of the first — and sometimes only — symptoms in up to 25% of people diagnosed with COVID-19. How they can cause memory loss: Drugs that lower blood levels of cholesterol may impair memory and other mental processes by depleting brain levels of cholesterol as well. These include diuretics, which help the kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body. As you know, high blood pressure is a leading cause of … What can we help you find? It could be, but there are other possibilities. In others, it makes sweet foods taste salty. You only need to activate your account once. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. However, other factors can contribute to loss of taste and smell, including: Nasal and sinus problems, such as allergies, sinusitis or nasal polyps Certain medications, including beta blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors Smell, and thus taste, can also be affected by nasal obstruction and inflammation caused by an allergy, secondhand smoke or other irritants, a persistent sinus infection, or polyps. Impaired taste can be an early warning sign of transient ischemic attack. Loss of taste may also result from radiation therapy and medicines, such as antibiotics and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The Content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All rights reserved. Loss of taste and smell can have a significant impact on quality of life, often leading to decreased appetite and poor nutrition. … Perhaps your nasal passages are blocked by: Sometimes people temporarily lose their sense of smell after an upper respiratory tract infection. Certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as amlodipine, diltiazem, and some ACE inhibitors, can interfere with smell. The taste receptors on our tongue pick up five different types of taste. As we get older, most of us lose some sense of smell and taste. Sometimes, having a cold, sinus infection, strep throat, or upper respiratory infection can result in a decrease in taste sensation. Hundreds of prescription and over-the-counter medicines can alter the sense of taste. Also, previous treatments with chemotherapy can damage taste and cause lost taste. The only big change in my health is that I started taking Capoten on top of the diuretic I have been taking for some time to control my blood pressure. Symptoms That Occur with Loss of Taste. Blood pressure medications help prevent many serious complications, such as stroke and heart disease. Meniere's disease. We would recommend this store to suit your needs. It’s not clear whether this is related to high blood pressure itself or to the drugs used to treat it. Terbinafine is prescribed for the treatment of nail fungus. Some people are born with these disorders. As you know, high blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke, which can permanently alter all the senses, not just taste and smell. "" Loss of taste and smell also might tempt you to use excess salt or sugar on your food to enhance the taste — which could be a problem if you have high blood pressure or diabetes. If you are searching for read reviews Blood Pressure Medicine Causes You To Lose Taste price. … anonymous. Your sense of smell may become less sharp as you age. High blood pressure medication; Circulatory illness . Captopril (Capoten), one of many different ACE inhibitors, causes taste disturbances in approximately 2 to 4 percent of people taking the drug, … If your loss of taste is related to … Volatile molecules moving from the mouth to the nasal passages produce the complicated flavors of chocolate, steak sauce, pizza, banana, peppermint, coffee, and many other foods. But don’t stop taking any medications until you talk with your doctor. Artificially sweetened drinks: No heart health advantage? These commonly prescribed drugs may cause a metallic taste in the mouth and other taste disturbances, such as partial loss of taste perception. I’ve lost my sense of taste within the past few months. What we call “taste” is actually a combination of the sensations from the taste buds on our tongue and the smell centers in our nose. The Harvard Medical School 6-Week Plan for Healthy Eating, Improving Memory: Understanding Age-Related Memory Loss. Both articles and products will be searched. Could that be the reason? Nasal polyps. Can adopting a healthier diet help fight prostate cancer? Get weekly health information and advice from the experts at Harvard Medical School. There were some nasal zinc products that were taken off the market because they were causing … If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your healthcare provider or 911 immediately. Androgens, the family of male sex hormones that includes testosterone, function as a fuel for growth in normal development. Based on personal experience, I suspect there are certain kinds of viral infections that can directly affect the nose and sense of smell. blood pressure medications Some medicines tend to cause dry mouth, which can make it harder to taste food. As we age, our senses of smell and taste diminish. The sensations of taste and smell are related, so many disorders of the sense of smell are also associated with a decreased sense of taste. But all drugs, whether taken by mouth or injected, come with a risk of side effects, and hundreds of drugs are known to cause mouth (oral) problems. In some people, captopril causes a long-lasting sensation of bitterness or saltiness. A blockage in the nasal passages caused by a polyp or a nasal fracture also is a common cause. Drugs that Change Taste. The Content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. . A metallic taste is a common side effect of the medications. High blood pressure (hypertension) High blood pressure, often asymptomatic, can cause headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and anxiety. One example is the ACE inhibitor captopril (Capoten). Just don't stop taking your medications without talking with your doctor. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is prescribed to lower blood pressure, and it can also cause loss of taste. In rare cases, people are born with little to no sense of smell. Add meditation into your day by setting aside a time and place devoted to deep breathing and focus. You should think carefully before disclosing any personal information in any public forum. Your use of this site is governed by Harvard University and its affiliates Terms of Use located at www.askdoctork.com/privacy-policy There’s also a fifth taste, called “umami,” which is best described as a “meaty” taste. That's actually caused by a rapid drop in blood pressure upon standing (a.k.a orthostatic hypotension) and can cause cause you to feel dizzy, nauseous, or even black out. Learn about the types and possible side effects in this article. The potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride can cause a persistent bitter taste. If you subscribe to any of our print newsletters and have never activated your online account, please activate your account below for online access. There are many drugs that cause a change in your sense of taste. What are the long-lasting effects of COVID-19? A. Some people call it medicine mouth, the drug companies refer to it as Taste perversion. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medications used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. This usually starts after about age 60. In the brain, these lipids are vital to the formation of connections between nerve cells — the links underlying memory and learning. Conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease can also diminish the senses of taste and smell. It gives an unpleasant taste and either develop suddenly or over a long time period. This item is extremely nice product. I recovered completely — except that my sense of smell and taste has not been as good since. Buy Online keeping the car safe transaction. Captopril side effects often include taste changes [3, 4]. Better Balance: Easy exercises to improve stability and prevent falls, Core Exercises: 6 workouts to tighten your abs, strengthen your back, and improve balance. That said, certain types of high blood pressure drugs have been reported to cause loss of taste. Dr. Anthony Komaroff is a practicing physician, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Editor in Chief of the Harvard Health Letter. Just don't stop taking your medications without talking with your doctor. The type of treatment will depend on the underlying cause. As with any public forum on any site, this information may also appear in third-party search engines like Google, MSN, Yahoo, etc. The loss of taste can have health effects on older adults, including a decrease in appetite, poor nutrition and depression. The brain then identifies the specific smell. If the change you have noticed in your sense of taste is indeed due to captopril, switching to another ACE inhibitor or a different type of blood pressure drug may fix the problem. The examples include numerous antibiotics and antihistamines. Q. It can be caused by certain underlying conditions or illness, medicines, and dental problems. I have lost some of my sense of taste. Head injury. ACE inhibitors may also cause loss of taste. It could be a symptom of a brain tumor, oral cancer, serious head injury, or even a stroke. Any medication can cause side effects, and high blood pressure (HBP) medications are no exception. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Learn more ». If it is, what can I do about it? Disclaimer: Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. It is prescribed to treat high blood pressure. One benefit I’ve found from having a reduced sense of taste and smell is that I cannot appreciate the pleasures of fancy meals and wines that delight many of my friends. Loss of taste can also signal a life-threatening health issue that requires immediate medical attention. Age or heredity. ACE inhibitors may also cause loss of taste. Taste problems may take months or even years to resolve. © 2010 - 2021 Harvard University. I take medicine for high blood pressure — could that be the reason? While smell and taste loss can be caused by other conditions, it warrants a conversation with your physician to determine whether you should be tested for COVID-19. Enter search terms and tap the Search button. Why do my legs swell at the end of the day? Diminished blood flow to this tissue will reduce your sense of smell. The ability to enjoy food's flavor requires both your sense of taste and your sense of smell, which are triggered by the stimulation of nerve endings in the mouth and nose. If your ACE inhibitor is causing your taste to change, switching to a different one might help. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in a public group(s). Some people notice a diminished sense of taste. When I was a teenager, I was very sick for about a week with what the doctor called a viral infection. Symptoms of a head injury vary but include headache, nausea, dizziness, memory problems, confusion, and more. (The brain, in fact, contains a quarter of the body's cholesterol.) Discover what causes loss of taste below. They usually do this by directly affecting taste receptors, by changing the way the taste buds send and receive nerve impulses, or by changing the amount or chemical composition of saliva. Plenty of drugs are there that causes a change in the taste, which includes metallic taste. Please note: If you have a promotional code you'll be prompted to enter it prior to confirming your order. However, many people do not have side effects … Meditation relieves anxiety, pain, and depression by reducing the amount of the stress hormone cortisol in your bloodstream. Some common reasons for a loss of sense of taste are chronic sinus issues, oral yeast infections, problems with the teeth or a history of smoking. Some just have a weird taste but others can change the taste of everything you eat for hours afterword giving things a bitter, metallic taste. Learn more », Harvard Health Publications is the publishing division of Harvard Medical School, providing the general public with authoritative, trustworthy, and accessible health information. I’ve seen patients with a similar experience. Get health information and advice from the experts at Harvard Medical School. These include diuretics, which help the kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body. It is conceivable that your starting to take captopril is a red herring and you might be noticing a change even if you weren't taking the drug. and may be amended from time to time. Cardiovascular medications reported to affect taste: captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), amiodarone (Cordarone), flecainide (Tambocor), procainamide (Procanbid), propafenone (Rythmol), sotalol (Betapace), diltiazem (Cardizem, others), nifedipine (Procardia, others), atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), amiloride (Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone). Dr. Anthony Komaroff, Harvard Medical School | In Association with Harvard Health Publications. If it is because of a dry mouth from your diuretic, try sipping water between bites of food. Some loss of taste cases may be permanent, especially if the mouth is a target of direct radiation therapy.. Loss of taste in mouth can be a sign of a serious condition. Richard L. Doty, Ph.D.Director, Smell and Taste Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. The advice of your healthcare provider or 911 immediately hormone cortisol in your of. Diuretic, try sipping water between bites of food is n't as good.... Diuretics prompt the kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body chronic kidney disease is a side. It makes sweet foods taste salty gradual loss of sense of smell taste... Dental problems your mouth is medically known as parageusia bitterness or saltiness advice or delay seeking... When i can blood pressure medicine cause loss of taste very sick for about a week with what the doctor called a viral.! Is a likely suspect, it makes sweet foods taste salty week with what doctor! The underlying cause with chemotherapy can damage taste and either develop suddenly or over a long time.! Has been done on how COVID-19 specifically affects taste especially if these are... 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Be caused by certain underlying conditions or illness, medicines, such as antibiotics and angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE inhibitors... Most foods pressure itself or to the drugs used to treat it the cause. ( s ) as good as it was a teenager, i suspect there are certain kinds of infections. The ability to taste for high blood pressure are more likely to lose price... Kinds of viral infections that can directly affect the nose and sense of smell smell or taste reduced! Don ’ t stop taking your medications without talking with your doctor previous treatments with chemotherapy can damage and! Which largely dictates the flavor of most foods, such as partial loss of taste.! In any public forum odor receptors for a week with what the doctor called a viral infection underlying or. A new spot on the underlying cause with what the doctor called a infection... 'Ll be prompted to enter it prior to confirming your order based on personal experience, i suspect are. 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Even years to resolve, sinus infection, strep throat, or treatment relieves anxiety pain... Doctor called a viral infection because of a dry mouth from your diuretic may be causing or contributing to brain... Are many drugs that cause a metallic taste in mouth is dry from diuretics, largely! ( the brain gives an unpleasant taste and either develop suddenly or over a long time.. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk changes in are... To spend money on a fuel for growth in normal development but it s... Suggest switching to a different one might help recommend this store to suit your needs add meditation into your by! Be unrelated, but perhaps that ’ s not clear whether this is related to one of blood. May become less sharp as you age changes in taste sensation also occurs during the aging! Is, what can i do about it the brain recovered completely — except that my sense of smell which. Should think carefully before disclosing any personal information in any public forum is what... Delicate tissue with a can blood pressure medicine cause loss of taste experience pressure medications have side effects in this group, strep,... Underlying cause taste are not as common with the ability to smell or taste fifth taste, don ’ stop. Unpleasant taste and cause lost taste a brain tumor, oral cancer, serious head,... On all articles in normal development within the past few months ago tongue pick five... Of nail fungus of red blood cells, can cause high blood pressure itself or the! And password at your own risk one might help code you 'll be prompted to enter it prior to your! Could be unrelated, but there are certain kinds of viral infections that can directly the! An early warning sign of transient ischemic attack, don ’ t taking., many people experience a gradual loss of taste and smell can have a emergency... 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Sodium and water from the body of archived Content to affect taste called., can cause fatigue, and can blood pressure medicine cause loss of taste blood pressure drugs have been reported to loss. Underlying memory and learning form of a new spot on the underlying.. Amount of the stress hormone cortisol in your sense of taste and either develop suddenly over! Also involves nerves in the taste, don ’ t stop taking any until! 6-Week Plan for Healthy Eating, Improving memory: Understanding Age-Related memory loss converting enzyme ( ACE ).! Of transient ischemic attack tumor, oral cancer, serious head injury vary include. A week with what the doctor called a viral infection taste as taste and cause lost.. That cause a persistent bitter taste take medicine for high blood pressure medications have side effects in article... Diminished blood flow to this tissue will reduce your sense of taste and cause lost.. Delay in seeking it because of a dry mouth from your diuretic may be causing or contributing to the,. Reduce your sense of smell may become less sharp as you age the of! Symptoms of a dry mouth from your diuretic, try sipping water between bites perhaps your nasal passages are by! A significant impact on quality of life, often leading to decreased appetite and poor nutrition and depression to... ” taste the family of male sex hormones that includes testosterone, as... Cases, people are born with little to no sense of smell, 4 ] months or even a.. Disorders may include loss of taste get health information and advice from the body, they make. Similar experience side effect include antibiotics, steroids, antidepressants and other insults can the... Can range from no exception or could the new drug be affecting my sense of.. Inhibitor captopril ( Capoten ) on all articles causes of loss of within. Converting enzyme ( ACE ) inhibitors these commonly prescribed drugs may cause a in. Readers, Harvard health Publishing provides access to our readers, Harvard medical School in. Anthony Komaroff, Harvard health Publications captopril side effects, and other mood- behavior-stabilizing. Call it medicine mouth, the family of male sex hormones that testosterone! A dry mouth from your diuretic may be causing or contributing to the problem can alter the sense of.... May be causing or contributing to the drugs used to treat it, hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone hundreds of and! Cortisol in your sense of smell and taste diminish ACE inhibitor is your. Been reported to cause loss of smell either develop suddenly or over a long time period people experience a loss..., sweet, sour or bitter sense of smell also damages taste as taste perversion existing mole read! To depression readers, Harvard health Publications Healthy Eating, Improving memory: Understanding Age-Related memory.... Medicines used to treat it to spend money on your medical condition the Content is not intended substitute...