Metallic taste in mouth can be the result of certain strong medications which produces bad taste. In medical terms this condition is called as disgeusia. Number of drugs like eszopiclone, acetazolamide, oretoposide and metronidazole is known to cause metallic taste in mouth.
Causes :
The reason for having metallic taste varies widely from medicines to gastritis and underlying health issues. Health disorder like cancer, lead poisoning can also cause this taste. It resembles very much like acidic or sour taste in mouth. Certain underlying medical issues like stones in kidney may develop metallic taste in mouth. Taking strong drugs or antibiotics can also produce this effect. Several type of antidepressant medications is known to cause metallic taste.
Other factors that cause metallic or acidic taste in mouth are captopril given for heart problem, metronidazole given for giardiasis, tinidazole given for trichomoniasis, disulfiram given for treating alcoholism, auranofin prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, captopril given for treating hypertension, calcitriol prescribed for low calcium levels and metformin taken by weight loss patients.
All the above medications have side effects that include producing metallic taste in mouth.
Oral problems like periodontitis and gingivitis can also cause this taste. It can be the symptom or warning sign for underlying disease like cancer, ulcer, food allergy and lichen planus. Many kinds of poisoning like lead poison, mercury poison, iodine poison, cadmium poison, selenium toxicity, increased copper level can produce metallic taste in your mouth. Sometimes this can be a sign of underlying kidney problems and too much of iron content in blood.
The symptom of metallic taste cannot be taken for granted to have some health issues. It becomes serious problem if it is accompanied by other symptoms of chronic health issues.