Gabapentin Causing A Metallic Taste In Mouth

Stephannie Says:
Mon, Dec 29 '14, 12:59 PM

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?

Verwon Says:
Tue, Dec 30 '14, 1:37 PM
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?

Stephannie Says:
Tue, Dec 30 '14, 1:59 PM
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?>

Verwon Says:
Tue, Dec 30 '14, 6:08 PM
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?

Shannon Says:
Wed, Sep 16 '15, 5:36 PM via mobile
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.

Gilroy Says:
Sat, Jan 30 '16, 9:10 PM via mobile
I'm having the same problems with that metal taste in my mouth

Randy Says:
Thu, Mar 24 '16, 1:38 PM
I also get a bad metallic taste and also a loss of appetite.

Sd Says:
Tue, May 10 '16, 1:38 PM
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.

Simon Says:
Sun, Jun 05 '16, 7:46 PM
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.

Mikey Says:
Sat, Aug 20 '16, 10:23 AM via mobile
For the constant hunger- try lemon water. Just quarter a lemon and squeeze it into some ice water. Works like a charm!

jojo Says:
Fri, Nov 25 '16, 12:35 PM
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.

Jean Says:
Thu, Dec 08 '16, 9:52 AM
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.

Sunflower Says:
Sat, Jun 03 '17, 12:16 PM via mobile
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

Justsay no Says:
Tue, Jun 20 '17, 9:11 AM via mobile
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.

Jeanne Says:
Mon, Jul 24 '17, 7:04 PM via mobile
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?

Linda Says:
Tue, Sep 26 '17, 11:21 PM via mobile
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.

Jaime Says:
Tue, Oct 31 '17, 1:19 PM
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 ...

Linda Says:
Tue, Nov 07 '17, 10:03 PM via mobile
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.

Jliv Says:
Wed, Jan 31 '18, 8:46 AM
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 tast totally destroys the flavor of all foods.

KK Says:
Sat, Jun 16 '18, 3:36 PM via mobile
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?

KK Says:
Sat, Jun 16 '18, 3:37 PM via mobile
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?