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Picture

​Bad Taste (dysgeusia)

Some chemotherapy drugs cause a metallic or unpleasant taste in the mouth that can last right through the three-week cycle of treatment. It may be associated with certain foods, water may taste or smell “chemical”, and coffee may taste revolting. The complaints may exacerbate nausea and loss of appetite.

Unfortunately there is no magic remedy. Some claim that chewing ginger, eating liquorice or aniseed flavoured treats or chewing gum helps. Good mouth care is essential, including the regular use of sodium bicarbonate mouth washes (see “Mouth Soreness and Ulceration”) and regular use of the toothbrush. Although some dentists recommend against it, gentle brushing of the tongue may also help.

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​Impartial cancer information, with an emphasis on breast cancer.  No sponsors or advertisements.  Updated regularly.  Written by Prof Rick Kefford, Medical Oncologist, and Jenny Gilchrist, Nurse Practitioner.

Copyright © 2020, Professor Richard Kefford AM MB BS PhD FRACP FAHMS.  All rights reserved.

  • Home
    • About
    • Locations
    • Appointments
    • Fees
    • Contact
  • Our Team
  • New Patients
  • Cancer Information
    • Advice for Carers
    • Alternative Medicine
    • Breast Cancer >
      • Adjuvant chemotherapy
      • After chemotherapy - what now?
      • Alopecia from Hormonal Therapy
      • Bisphosphonates - the bone strengtheners
      • Breast Cancer Myths
      • Causes of breast cancer
      • Chemotherapy for breast cancer
      • Family History
      • Femara, Arimidex and Aromasin: The Aromatase Inhibitors
      • Metastatic Breast Cancer
      • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      • Osteoporosis
      • Stage, Grade & Receptors
      • Tamoxifen
      • Targeted Therapies >
        • Anti-HER2 therapies
        • Other targeted therapies
      • Zoladex and stopping the ovaries
    • Clinical Trials
    • Exercise
    • FAQ
    • Herbal Preparations
    • Insomnia
    • Living with Chemotherapy >
      • Anaemia
      • Alopecia
      • Bad Smells
      • Beating Nausea
      • Changes in mental function
      • Depression
      • Diarrhoea
      • Dysgeusia
      • Fatigue
      • Indigestion and Heartburn
      • Low Blood Counts and Infection
      • Menstrual Changes and Infertility
      • Mouth Soreness and Ulceration
      • Nose Bleeds
      • Port-a-caths
    • Managing Menopause
    • Marijuana
    • Nutrition >
      • Eating to be cancer free
      • Losing Weight
      • Diet and chemotherapy
    • Pain
    • Palliative Care
    • Vaccinations
    • What's new
  • COVID-19 information
  • MORE
    • Downloads
    • Useful Resources
    • Patient information booklets
  • Search