Paxlovid Mouth
Christopher M. Bland, Pharm.D., FCCP, FIDSA, BCPS

Drug-Induced Dysguesia

  • •Abnormal Taste Disturbance 

    • •Bitter 

    • •Metallic 

    • •Salty 

    • •Sour 

    • •Rancid 

  • •Very common among many medications 

    • •Metformin 

    • •Metronidazole 

    • •Captopril 

    • •Ritonavir and other protease inhibitors 

 

Schiffman SS, Zervakis J, Heald AE. Nutrition. 1999;15:767-72.

Paxlovid Mouth

  • •Known by manufacturer 

  • •Two components 

    • •Nirmatrelvir 

    • •Ritonavir 

  • •Different from COVID-19 induced dysgeusia or anosmia 

    • •That can last much longer (months)! 

    • •Most resolve within a year 

  • •What do we know? 

    • •Regulatory studies documented in 5-6% of patients 

    • •Most mild cases 

    • •Ceases upon discontinuation of therapy 

 

Renaud M et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4:e2115352.

Paxlovid Mouth: Final Take

  • •Counseling critical 

    • •Avoids nonadherence leading to potential morbidity and mortality 

  • •How to prevent? 

    • •Chocolate milk 

    • •Cinnamon gum 

    • •Peanut butter 

  • •Reassurance for patients is good medicine 

 

Tips:

The control bar will always show on the first slide.  After the first slide, move your mouse to the bottom of the slide for it to reappear.
  • Slide 1/4
    0:00/5:40
  • 1/4
  • 0:00/5:40
Error loading audio. Check your Internet connection.
Error loading audio. Check your Internet connection.
Error loading audio. Check your Internet connection.
Error loading audio. Check your Internet connection.