The symptoms and complaints of dysgeusia (taste disorder) can be qualitative or quantitative in nature:
- Qualitative disorders – these include the:
- Quantitative disorders – these include:
- Ageusia – complete failure of the sense of taste.
- Hypergeusia – pathologically heightened sense of taste or increased gustatory sensitivity.
- Hypogeusia – partial failure or attenuation of the sense of taste.
Associated symptoms
- Deposits on the tongue, throat
- Dysosmia (olfactory disorder)
- Dysphagia (swallowing disorder)
- Bad breath (halitosis, foetor ex ore).
- Xerostomia (dry mouth; dry mouth).
The following drug-induced dysgeuosias may occur:
- Bitter taste
- Salty taste
- Metallic taste
- Unpleasant taste
- Hypogeusia – partial failure or attenuation of the sense of taste.
- Ageusia – complete failure of the sense of taste.
Drug-induced dysgeuosias are usually reversible. They may occur as early as hours or a few days after the start of therapy. Until such a taste disorder has returned to normal, one to four weeks, but also several months may pass. In some cases, however, it may persist.