Gabapentin Causing A Metallic Taste In Mouth

I recently started taking gabapentin to alleviate nerve pain from fibromyalgia, but now I am having a metal taste in my mouth and all the teeth brushing in the world doesn't stop it. I am also eating myself out of house and home with this med.... anyone else have this problem, and if so, how do I stop it?

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Hello, Strephannie! How are you? I'm sorry about the problems that you're having.

The FDA does list these issues as possible side effects of taking Gabapentin, along with dizziness, headache, dry mouth and mood swings.

However, most side effects do tend to improve, as your body gets used to the medication, but it may take a month or so. But weight gain is a problem that most people have when taking this medication and that doesn't usually change, as long as they are on it.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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Is there any other medication out there that stops nerve pain and does NOT make a person gain weight? Since I am a diabetic (type-2), I have to lose weight, not gain it. Suggestions on other meds?>

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If you want to avoid narcotics, you may want to ask your doctor about trying Oxcarbazepine.

The FDA lists it as an anticonvulsant, also, so it's in the same category as the Gabapentin, but it's not known to cause as much weight gain, as a matter of fact, in some people, it actually causes weight loss. The other possible side effects are very similar.

Alternatively, narcotics would be another option.

Does anyone else have any other ideas?

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I have been taking it going on 3 weeks I have metal mouth and no appetite. I am taking for nerve ending numbing and tingling.

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I'm having the same problems with that metal taste in my mouth

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I also get a bad metallic taste and also a loss of appetite.

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I took this med for one week and stopped. Side effects are horrible. Been off for over a week and still have metal taste in my mouth.

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I started taking gabapentin, (300mg 3X daily), 4 days ago, for constant pins & needles in my left hand, from a nuroma in my left wrist from a damaged median nerve, after failing to manage suicide, 2 years ago. I have that vile metallic taste in my mouth all the time. I've been thinking it was from the Clarithromycin I've been taking for a UTI. Thanks for the info. I've also been suffering from insomnia since I started the Gabapentin. Is there any other drug which doesn't cause the taste, but has the same effect as the gabapentin? I also take 200mg of tramadol, 1600mg of ibuprofen & 4000mg of paracetamol a day, for pain relief from injuries sustained in an RTA in 1988.

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For the constant hunger- try lemon water. Just quarter a lemon and squeeze it into some ice water. Works like a charm!

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I have been on Gabapentin for 11 yrs. I have never had the metal taste from them until this last order I received. It's terrible, the metal taste even gets in the water from the water glass I take the Gabapentin with. Not once in 11 yrs has this happened, but now with this latest batch it has. Makes me wonder if something is wrong with this shipment of pills or if I should continue to take them.

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I also have a metallic taste, I can't get rid of.
Worse with dairy.
I also have increased appetite, unusual for me, since I had gastric bypass.

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I'm trying to reduce gabapentin. Been on 600 mg every 4 hrs for 4 yrs. decided to taper off when burning became unbearable about 2 months ago. My pcp gave me Lexapro BUT my vision blurred & became more nausious & anxious. 69 & feel doomed

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Neurontin is an Rx which slowly destroys the nervous system. The very conditions that the pharmaceutical company proposes it treats, does in fact, CAUSE those very conditions. This enables certain entities to divert class 3 drugs onto the streets through mislabeling and falsifying prescriptions. Worst of all, the patient is destroyed physically, and those involved in this dispicable malfeasance, blame the patients' credibility for the very symptoms they caused.

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Hi everyone, been on ganapintin for a year and a half, started off 300 several times a day gradually went up to 600 6 times a day, funny JoJo said not until this last batch here was a metal taste, I just started new bottle and this was first time having that metal taste...any ideas why?

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Taking 300mg Gabapentin 3 X a day. The last week's dose has left a nasty metallic taste that gets into the nasal passage so I constantly smell it. Nothing alleviates it. Any suggestions? Stepping down to 100mg 2 times a day. I hate this med, getting completely off as soon as possible. Prescribed for a chronic cough. Lifelong non-smoker.

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Hi Stefanie
This truly sucks, I too have the Metalic taste in my mouth... I don't and won't take ''this pill" as of today ..nothing taste right.. even tooth paste..my Doc needs to help me another way ...

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Re: Linda (# 15)

I was taking it for chronic cough also. Didn't like side effects so tapered off 2 months ago & still have that awful taste in mouth.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

I also started developing a metallic taste in my mouth and the only thing I can relate it to is starting Gabapentin. I take it for menopause symptoms. I’ve had it for almost 4 months. I will be talking to a pharmacist soon. I think I would rather have hot flashes and insomnia. This taste totally destroys the flavor of all foods.

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I want to take it as needed for nerve pain for a pinched nerve in my neck and I have to seem nasty taste in my mouth I don't know how to get rid of it guess I have to stop taking the medicine but how long before it goes away?

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

I want to take it as needed for nerve pain for a pinched nerve in my neck and I have to seem nasty taste in my mouth I don't know how to get rid of it guess I have to stop taking the medicine but how long before it goes away?

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Re: Buzzchill (# 46)

I was on it for 3 months. Last 2 weeks I've had an awful taste in my mouth that affects everything I eat.

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Re: Verwon (# 1)

I have been taking gabapentin for 3 months now. I lost my taste 2 weeks ago and still can't taste anything.

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Re: Linda (# 17)

Hi Linda, any updates? Just want to know what to expect after I stop taking it too. I feel concerned if I will also continue to have the metallic taste for a longer period of time after stopping it. Will be traveling and of course I'm dreaming of the day to have a normal sense of taste once again, fingers crossed.

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Re: Sd (# 7)

Hi Sd, any updates after stopping Gabapentin for a week and still having the metallic taste in your tongue/mouth? Just want to know what to expect if I will also have the same experience after I stop taking it. Thanks.

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Re: Jliv (# 18)

Yes, you're right. You don't get to enjoy any taste at all. Tried that MetaQil Mouth Rinse and did not work at all. I feel so miserable so I will stop it now.

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Re: jojo (# 10)

Hi, I have the same experience. I've taken it for a few years and it did not bother me then. But now, it gives me the horrible metallic taste. I will stop it now because I don't get to enjoy the taste of any food I eat. Thank you for sharing me your experience. I don't know what they did with the formula of the newer Gabapentin batches.

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Yes it does in my experience.

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Re: KK (# 20)

I was on gabapentin (300 mg 3x day) and stopped due to other side effects. Even tho I had a problem with taste I did not think it was the meds. Started going to a Pain specialist and he put me back on but only at (100 mg at bedtime) I have been on for 2 nights and today that metallic taste came back. I did not attribute it to the gabapentin when I was on it before, Now I know for sure and I am stopping it.

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Re: Jliv (# 18)

I took Gabapentin my tongue swelled up real big it wouldn't stay in my mouth and whenever it went down I had a weird taste in my mouth and it's been a long time since I've been on it and the taste is still there

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My doctor upped my gabapentin to 1800mg per day. She said I can go as high as 2700mg. I have this metallic taste in my mouth that makes it so hard to eat or drink especially my Ozark or Dasani water which I use to drink a lot of. I've had this problem for a while & thought it was just me but thanks to you I am now sure its the gabapentin. It hasn't gone away & it has been getting worse for a while now long before she upped the mg. I hate having to take this stuff since it doesn't help at all & now I have these side effects that others keep saying will go away. Thanks for putting the question out there and hopefully it will go away for you.

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