By Valerie DeBenedette If you notice a nasty taste in your mouth after taking the antiviral pill Paxlovid for COVID-19, you're not imagining it. Both were caught off guard by a little-known side effect: a really unpleasant taste. The Omicron variants of the virus that are currently making the rounds dont usually cause problems with taste. On the other hand, those same symptoms might indicate other viral infections like the common cold. Indigestion. Nearly 4 in 10 COVID patients experience impaired taste or total loss of taste, but dry mouth affects even more up to 43% . "Metallic taste is interesting, because we really don't know the biological basis for it," Nancy Rawson, vice president of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, said. Katie Camero is a McClatchy National Real-Time Science reporter. And Paul Wartenberg, 50, of Mulberry, Florida, said he tasted metal for several hours after his Moderna injection. Signs and symptoms (adult). But one possible red flag we've been hearing a lot about lately is missing from the catalog: a strange metallic taste in the mouth. Six of those COVID-19 symptoms were added recently. It lasted for . Interim clinical guidance for management of patients with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19). BMJ Open Ophthalmology. You can unsubscribe at any time. JAMA Network Open. At least three people aged 35, 45 and 58 in different countries have developed clinical parkinsonism, or Parkinsons disease-like symptoms, within two to five weeks after contracting the coronavirus. Twenty-four hours later, the metal taste remained. American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www . At the very . Six of those COVID-19 symptoms were added recently. While loss of taste or smell has been a known symptom of COVID-19, some parents are now saying that their children are losing those senses weeks or even months after recovering from the virus. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-guidance-management-patients.html. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Metallic Taste in Your Mouth Treatment and Prevention. Symptoms that ranged from measles-like rashes, tiny scaly bumps and raised red patches covered with a whitish buildup of dead skin cells lasted for a median of 12 days, with some long-haulers experiencing them for more than 60 days. In the meantime, drinking plenty of water, chewing gum, and avoiding metal utensils may help you feel better. My sense of taste was not affected. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Patients can either instead develop parosmia, or note parosmia as they are recovering from their loss of smell.. This information is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Signs and symptoms (child). Experts say it's a rare but real phenomenon. COVID-19 can cause taste changes that last longer. Burning mouth syndrome. The most common are fever, cough and tiredness. Erika Edwards is a health and medical news writer and reporter for NBC News and "TODAY.". The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. Instead, Shankaran suggests having foods or drinks that coat your mouth, like chocolate milk, chocolate pudding, or peanut butter. Olfactory retraining can be effective in helping jump-start the olfactory recovery, he added. Recently, some people have reported developing a metallic taste in their mouths after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Our sense of smell is a vital sense, Manes said. I couldnt eat anything. Dysgeusia is a taste disorder. JAMA Dermatology. Every effort should be made to complete the five-day course of treatment in order to avoid serious complications from COVID. "Typically, metal mouth resolves itself once the underlying cause has been treated, but a COVID-19 induced metallic taste in the mouth could stick around for weeks or even months after your . This bad metallic taste in the mouth from Paxlovid happens irrespective of what COVID may be doing, said Shankaran. In addition to arm soreness and a little malaise, some people are reporting an unusual side effect following their COVID-19 vaccinations: an intense metallic taste that can last for days. Hello, I had a very mild case of COVID back in early October. It is worth keeping in mind that it goes away soon after completing the 5-day Paxlovid course.. Merc Sol - For Metallic Taste in Mouth; It is a leading medicine to manage cases presenting with metallic taste in the mouth. Chemical Exposure. A common side effect is a bad taste in the mouth, referred to as "Paxlovid mouth." Learn how to get rid of it here. You may find that foods smell or taste differently after having coronavirus. For most people, each dose consists of two 150-mg tablets of nirmatrelvir and one 100-mg tablet of ritonavir. But theres no telling if thats the case. Does anyone else have a metallic taste in their mouth after they eat and during? To support our commitment to public service journalism: Subscribe Now. But people with upper respiratory infections, including the common cold, also often report being left with a metallic taste in their mouths, says Robert Korn, MD, emergency medicine physician in New York. Go to theCDC websitefor the latest information on symptoms, prevention, and other resources. However, its not the only smell dysfunction that people might experience. Heart rate, which had remained up at 86 after my walk, dropped to 64." It can affect the receptors and nutrient levels as well, leading to these types of symptoms, he explained to MNT. Drinking a lot of water turned out to be a good thing for Sue both in dealing with the taste of Paxlovid and rehydrating from diarrheawhich is both a COVID symptom and a side effect of the medication. No one seems to have a solution other than essential oils smell testing. (Laura McKelvey) The couple . And like other coronaviruses, such as those that cause the common cold, SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to cause a loss of smell and taste. Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Odors are created by chemicals or aromatic compounds that float through the air and stimulate chemical receptors in the nose, Andrew Schamess, MD, internal medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Verywell. By affecting the accuracy of the olfactory system, its changing the brains interpretation of what something tastes like, Dr. Michael Rothschild, an ENT specialist with Mount Sinais Icahn School of Medicine, told NBC New York. People report a change to their sense of smell about three to four months after infection. How Do Merck and Pfizers COVID Pills Compare? His symptoms were mild, a sore throat and a cough. This could be why the bad taste of Paxlovid lasts until the next dose. Your . Begin Exploring Women's Health Solutions at Mayo Clinic Store. Many recovered coronavirus patients have reported a loss of taste, but some have been cursed with the opposite: an off-putting taste that no amount of teeth brushing or mouthwash could remove. Pfizer's go-to antiviral drug treatment, Paxlovid, is leaving a bad taste in people's mouths. In addition to having EUA status in the United States, Paxlovid was approved for use in the United Kingdom in December 2021 and in Europe in January 2022. The CDC suggests that those experiencing loss of taste or smell, but not a cough or shortness of breath, should experience a secondary symptom like headache or fever before assuming they have COVID-19. Herman A, et al. 35% had not returned to their usual state of health, severe COVID-19 and required hospitalization, had skin problems long after their infection cleared, No, mouthwash wont protect you from coronavirus, experts say. Cancer Treatment. Experts have ideas why, Whats the COVID risk in South Florida? Soon enough, they both experienced Paxlovid mouth.. Since then, there have been increasing reports of patients experiencing a side effect of the medication called Paxlovid mouth.. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 32 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the United States. Across Florida, cases, deaths and hospitalizations are going down. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey between April and June of nearly 300 infected individuals revealed that 35% had not returned to their usual state of health two to three weeks after getting testing. Tests revealed that all three patients, who had severe COVID-19 and required hospitalization, showed reduced activity in an area of their brains that produces the hormone dopamine a common sign of Parkinsons, according to a commentary published Oct. 21 in Trends in Neurosciences. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post. A rapid test showed that they were COVID-positive. Some people report having a metallic taste in their mouth immediately after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Parosmia is a term used to describe . The bad taste is pretty bad, but the medications are definitely worth it. Individuals can also change the chosen scents every week. Welders are at high risk of a condition called metal fume fever. COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic. It damages the supporting cells for nerves, and thus interferes with nervous system functioning. A new loss of smell or taste without a stuffy nose is a common early symptom of COVID-19. COVID-19: Presentation, management, and follow-up (adult). There is still much to know about COVID-19 and how the disease affects the body, but its possible that the virus damages the olfactory receptors in the nose, causing anosmia and parosmia. It can take time for your sense of smell or taste to recover. . This content does not have an Arabic version. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. First: "Both of the drugs in Paxlovid are bitter," Jamie Alan, PharmD, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, told Health. I would run to the garbage, gag, and spit out anything I would eat, 11-year-old Aviva Epstein who ested positive for coronavirus told NBC New York. For others, we dont know exactly what causes the metallic taste, but scientists have found some possibilities. more likely to be due to COVID-19 infection. Would love your thoughts, please comment. Nirmatrelvir helps stop the SARS-CoV-2 virus from duplicating itself within the body. Another theory, according to Omid Mehdizadeh, MD, an otolaryngologist, and laryngologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, is that the medication is lingering in the body, and thus still providing a stimulus. It is not known what the impact of stopping Paxlovid early might be, Dr. Cutler told MNT. "If you are losing your sense of smell, or you have other types of symptoms," it would be a good idea to seek a doctor's care, Rawson said. Parosmia in patients with COVID-19 and olfactory dysfunction, Smell training in prolonged COVID-19 post-infectious olfactory dysfunction: a case report. The taste in the mouth will fade but give it some time. Well talk about what the effect is like, why it happens after some medications and vaccines, and what you should watch for if it happens to you. Some people recovering from COVID-19 report that foods taste rotten, metallic, or skunk-like, describing a condition called parosmia. If you develop a metallic taste that lasts longer, there may be another cause. The Journal of Laryngology and Otology. Thats why some patients after COVID-19 infection have fatigue, brain fog, etc. Vitamins. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. COVID-19: Testing. For some of them, the metallic taste comes from how the drugs affect zinc absorption. Dysgeusia refers to a distorted sense of taste; anosmia is smell blindness. People recovering from COVID-19 are also reporting that the smell of rotting meat seems to follow them everywhere. These now less-common symptoms include loss of smell (among other sensory changes due to COVID-19, such as those that cause a metallic taste in the mouth). Can poor sleep impact your weight loss goals? Download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, While unsettling, the metallic taste is not considered to be dangerous, and should diminish with time, Creech said. People Are Taking Ivermectin, a Deworming Drug for Animals, to Treat COVIDHere's Why That's a Bad Idea, Paxlovid Was Most Effective in Older Adults During Omicron Surge, Study Shows, Is It COVID, Flu, or RSV? A 2021 study found that almost half of the survey participants who had parosmia and a confirmed case of COVID-19 recovered their sense of smell in about three months. By Carla Delgado "It's probable that that metallic taste is really just an altered taste on the way to losing the sensation completely," he explains. What Are the Trump COVID-19 Stimulus Mailings. A Dec. 2020 study published in the Neurology Clinical Practice found that 62.4 percent of coronavirus cases had symptoms of dysgeusia, which is a distortion of the sense of taste. Merck's COVID Antiviral Drug Might Be Spurring New Variants. But some users have complained about a strong metallic taste . Now, youll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare providers. A lost or altered sense of taste, dry mouth and sores are common among COVID-19 patients and those symptoms may last long after others disappear, Brazilian researchers report. Some patients who have received a Covid jab have claimed they have been left with a metal taste after vaccination Credit: BackGrid. There are many different medications, including antibiotics, and other vaccines that can cause a metallic taste in your mouth. A less common symptom — and, in fact, not even included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of possible side effects — is a metallic taste following vaccination. John A. Sellick Jr., DO, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, explains that a . Taste and olfactory disorders can be attributed to several causes, including head trauma, ear infection, exposure to insecticides, stroke, dementia, and poor hygiene and dental health. It is usually done by picking three to four scents and breathing them in deeply for five to ten minutes a couple of times a day, Schamess said. Vitamin A nasal sprays helped . Among the peculiar and alarming symptoms reported by individuals, who experts call long-haulers, are early signs of Parkinsons disease, scaly skin rashes and unpleasant tastes in their mouths. ive seen a big difference within the 4 weeks. Chanay, Wendy and Nick. 1 . Paxlovid, the antiviral COVID-19 medication is leading to reports of "Paxlovid mouth," or a "bitter, metallic" taste after taking the medication. (Many people experience this with high-intensity . In addition to Paxlovid mouth there are many other risks to taking Paxlovid, he said. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Some people with the coronavirus experience strange symptoms that linger for months long after a negative test result deems them clear of infection. Pfizer shares top-line results from phase 2/3 EPIC-PEP study of Paxlovid for post-exposure prophylactic use. Some people recovering from COVID-19 report that foods taste rotten, metallic, or skunk-like, describing a condition called parosmia. There are lots of reasons you may have a . It . Read our, COVID Symptoms Unlikely to Relapse After Taking Paxlovid. The ambulatory COVID-19 convalescents in Tyrol, Austria (AT), and South Tyrol, Italy (IT) participated in the Health after COVID-19 in Tyrol (HACT) online survey between 30 September 2020 and 5 . Symptoms of disordered taste are very often attributed to smell disorder because the two senses are so closely linked. But because unusual changes in the senses of taste and smell are also well-known side effects of Covid-19, Rawson suggests paying close attention to symptoms in the week following vaccinations. Pardhan S, et al. Shankaran stressed that the benefits of Paxlovid make it well worth putting up with the taste for five days. Why can I taste saline and medications when they're inserted into my IV. It was just annoying.. Theyll prevent you from going to the hospital or getting a severe infection.. People who are prescribed Paxlovid to treat COVID have reported an unusual bitter, metallic, sour taste in their mouththis side effect is common but harmless. We link smell to meals, shared time with friends, and wonderful memories.. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page. GoodRx works to make its website accessible to all, including those with disabilities. If you develop a strange taste or loss of taste days after the vaccine, that is more likely to be from COVID-19 infection, not a side effect of the vaccine. Unusual COVID-19 symptoms: What are they? "It's certainly not debilitating or anything like that, but I do hope it goes away. In my situation, it was a magical experience!" 10 / 10 . She says everything tastes like a tin can. Brushing your teeth or using mouthwash wont usually help with the dysgeusia. Shivanjali Shankaran, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Rush Medical College in Chicago, told Verywell that the alteration or impairment of the sense of taste is called dysgeusia. Paxlovid, the antiviral COVID-19 medication, is a life-saving treatment. Smell training in prolonged COVID-19 post-infectious olfactory dysfunction: a case report. A bloody or metallic taste in your mouth during or after high-intensity or endurance workouts, such as running, generally isn't something to panic over, experts said. Digestive symptoms. Under the FDAs EUA, doctors can use Paxlovid to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults and children ages 12 and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms, or about 88 pounds. Aside from direct damage to the tongue and mouth, dysgeusia can be caused by several factors: infection or disease, medicines, or damage to the central nervous system. As one . Alex Visser, a healthy 26-year-old who lives on the east side of Milwaukee, was diagnosed with COVID-19 in late November 2020. 2021;36(1):37-40. doi:10.32412/pjohns.v36i1.1655. Dehydration. Philipp J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. The most common reasons for a salty mouth include: 1. Is Paxlovid Still Effective Against New COVID Variants? Dementia. That said, if a health care provider prescribes a course of Paxlovid for you, it means they believe the benefits outweigh any potential risks. A new side effect from having a Covid jab has been reported - and it is somewhat bizarre. According to Shankaran, few patients have stopped taking Paxlovid because of its tasteits the other side effects that have been more likely to make people discontinue the drug. The symptoms can last 10 to 14 days or for months. Most likely, people who are at high risk of COVID complications would be more vulnerable to hospitalization and death from COVID if they stopped Paxlovid early, but this has not been proven. It can be caused by infections, seizures, even brain tumors., COVID-19 has been linked with a loss of smell and taste, Manes said. Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Sometimes, people interpret the tastes as salty, bitter or rancid. Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Why Does COVID-19 Affect the Sense of Smell? Hoarseness: How Likely Is It to Be a COVID Symptom? You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. ", While the CDC doesn't mention this specific symptom on their site, a statement released by the American Academy of Otolaryngology said, "There is rapidly accumulating anecdotal evidence that anosmia with resultant dysgeusia are frequently reported symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic." Researchers have known for over 20 years that ritonavir causes a bitter or metallic taste. Nitin Desai, MD, CEO and chief medical officer of COVID PreCheck, told POPSUGAR that he had "a funny metallic taste" in his mouth after getting his second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. People with parosmia might also struggle with personal hygiene, pet care, home care, and other aspects where olfactory clues play a crucial role. Food and Drug Administration. Others also chimed in to call the taste of Paxlovid mouth "gross" or to ask for food suggestions that would cover up the "horrible bitter metallic" flavor. People can put together a scent kit using foods, herbs, soaps, scented candles, essential oils, and other items with a strong scent that are available at home. Paxlovid, the medication most often prescribed for COVID-19, may leave an unusual and unpleasant taste in a patients mouth when theyre on it. Nature Medicine. a host of people have now claimed that they have an intense metallic taste in their mouth that . The bad taste is normally metallic, bitter, salty, or rancid. Fact sheet for healthcare providers: emergency use authorization for Paxlovid. Paxlovid Mouth: A Distasteful Side Effect of a COVID Drug. It's possible, she said, that those odd tastes could be the result a SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurred just before receiving the vaccination, or before the body has had enough time to build protective antibodies from the shots. If you have a metallic taste after starting a medication, talk to your doctor about stopping the medication, if possible. Doctors are hesitant to make clear cause-and-effect relationships because there isnt enough evidence to know if COVID-19, the disease the coronavirus causes, triggers the symptoms. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one possible cause of having an ammonia taste in your mouth, sometimes called "ammonia breath.". On March 22, the American Academy of Otolaryngology reported, [a]necdotal evidence is rapidly accumulating from sites around the world that anosmia and dysgeusia are significant symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic., Dysgeusia, or distorted taste, is a condition in which a foul, salty, rancid, or metallic taste sensation persists in the mouth, according to the National Institute of Health. The taste lingered for the five days they took the medication and only wore off a few hours after they had taken their last dose. Loss of smell or taste. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. The Pfizer antiviral medication is used to treat people infected with COVID-19 but . Please seek medical advice before starting, changing or terminating any medical treatment. In addition to arm soreness and a little malaise, some people are reporting an unusual side effect following their Covid-19 vaccinations: an intense metallic taste that can last for days. Possible causes of metallic taste in the mouth include gum disease, certain medications, cancer treatments, indigestion (upset stomach), chemical exposure, colds and sinus infections (including COVID-19), pregnancy, problems with the senses of taste or smell, dementia, and certain vitamins or supplements. Hypogeusia [hy-po-GYOO-zee-a], in which your ability to taste is reduced. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. She says everything tastes like a tin can. For those experiencing a distorted sense of taste or smell, the Academy recommends they, alert physicians to the possibility of COVID-19 infection and warrant serious consideration for self-isolation and testing of these individuals. Exceptions apply to those with respiratory diseases like allergic rhinitis, acute rhinosinusitis, or chronic rhinosinusitis. I would eat pasta. COVID-19 also affects the brain, Schamess said. A bizarre new side effect has been reported by people who have received their COVID-19 vaccine. Here's what to know about what Paxlovid mouth is, how it happens, and why it shouldn't deter you from the treatment if it's recommended by a healthcare provider. Shankaran said that these candies can increase saliva production, which may help control the bad taste. 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