Drug-related gustatory disorders.

A review is presented of the drug-induced gustatory disorders that have so far been identified. Metallic, bitter or salty phantogeusias and hypogeusias, often of a dissociated type, which may even develop into ageusia have been described as side effects of treatment with some drugs. Personal observations on six cases are reported in which the gustatory disorders are attributed to the ingestion of phenylbutazone, carbamazepine, chlormezanone and baclofen. After interruption of the treatments these disorders were reversible within weeks to months.