# Is there anything I can do for medicine-induced yucky taste? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 30, 2002, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642 "2002-05-30T23:50:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2002, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/1 "2002-05-30T23:50:20Z")
Well, that’s about as concise as I could put it in the subject header. Hopefully it made some semblance of sense. I’m on Biaxin right now for a gnarly sinus infection that has really knocked me on my ass (not to mention keep me from having dinner with Coldfire and Heloise!:mad: ). I’m feeling marginally better today (3rd day on meds), thankfully, as I have this huge 5th grade graduation field trip thingy tomorrow to a theme park. Anywho, this medication is giving me a particularly gross taste in my mouth, and it’s constant. It’s somewhat metallic and somewhat mediciney in taste. And, as you might guess, it’s unpleasant. Is there anything I can do to get rid of this taste (or at least mask it for a long while)? I’ve even thought of snacking on garlic, figuring it would at least be something different. ---
**Author:** ![whistlepig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/73ab20/32.png) [@whistlepig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whistlepig)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/2 "2002-05-31T01:11:10Z")
Well, the taste of constant beer would probably put it out . . . I’ve been there on sinus infections. There are several types of mint gums, that if properly stored between cheek and gum, will provide a taste or mint for 1/2 hour. You might also try Listerine, but as soon as you taste/drink something else, the mint flavor will be gone. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/3 "2002-05-31T01:17:35Z")
::\*Bursts into song: Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, The medicine go down. Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, In the most delightful way…\*:: Ahem. Sadly, that is all I have to offer. I am familiar with the drecky taste that you describe, and the only solution I have is to drink lots of water. Sorry. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/4 "2002-05-31T03:23:21Z")
You’re not alone. [http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru608.html](http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru608.html) > [@](#): > > The most common side effects are: > > Diarrhea (present in 6% of adults taking the medication) > Abnormal taste (6%) > Nausea (3%) [http://www.atdn.org/access/drugs/clar.html](http://www.atdn.org/access/drugs/clar.html) > [@](#): > > Clarithromycin is generally well tolerated. Infrequent side effects are diarrhea, nausea, and abnormal taste. Also, did you see this? [http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/prescrpt/abiotc02.htm#side](http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/prescrpt/abiotc02.htm#side) > [@](#): > > While on Biaxin, avoid taking other medicines, food or beverages, such as aspirin, alcohol, or caffeine, that may increase the effects of the medicine. Did the doc mention anything about “no coffee while you’re on this”? ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/5 "2002-05-31T04:05:49Z")
> [@](#): > > Did the doc mention anything about “no coffee while you’re on this”? Shit! No he did not (neither did the pharmacist). And I need the morning cup of java, at least I will tomorrow when helping herd 110 10-year-olds around a theme park. I have had the nausea, though. That’s not been around when I’ve had coffee, but much later. Like today–coffee: 7am. Major nausea: 12:30pm. Some crackers for lunch cured that in a hurry, most fortunately. I’m packing crackers for tomorrow, so I will have coffee at least one more morning. Thing is, _what_ medicines do I avoid? _All_ of them? I kinda need the tylenol for fever and the sudafed for the congestion. The doc prescribed entex for the congestion, but it makes me reeeeally jittery. Phoo. Guess I have to live with the taste, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/6 "2002-05-31T04:08:46Z")
Meanwhile, what the flip does this mean?! > [@](#): > > clarithromycin (Biaxin) should not be used at doses over 1000 mg a day, as doses higher than that have been associated with poor survival. Mmm…killer antibiotic… ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/7 "2002-05-31T05:16:10Z")
It affects your liver. It’s also an HIV drug, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/8 "2002-05-31T05:19:17Z")
I had a similar experience with a drug years ago. I tried good tasting things - mints etc, but what actually worked best was sucking ice cubes. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/9 "2002-05-31T05:19:24Z")
Bah, linkie escaped. Hah, got you now. 😃 [http://www.aidsinfonet.org/532-clarithromycin.html](http://www.aidsinfonet.org/532-clarithromycin.html) > [@](#): > > HOW DOES CLARITHROMYCIN REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS? > Clarithromycin is broken down by the liver. It can interact with other drugs that also use the liver. Scientists have not yet studied all the possible interactions. Clarithromycin probably interacts with all of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), some blood thinners, heart medications, seizure medications, and other antibiotics. Be sure your doctor knows about all the medications you are taking. > > The protease inhibitors ritonavir (Norvir) or lopinavir (Kaletra) can increase blood levels of clarithromycin. > > Clarithromycin may change blood levels of zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir.) “helping herd 110 10-year-olds around a theme park”? :eek: ---
**Author:** ![malden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@malden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malden)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2002, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-i-can-do-for-medicine-induced-yucky-taste/111642/10 "2002-05-31T13:19:31Z")
**Ruffian** - I feel your pain. Two weeks ago I too was on Biaxin for a sinus infection. That was one gnarly taste. I took to carrying around lifesavers and/or jawbreakers to cover the taste. At first I described it as metallic, but upon reflection, I told someone that “it tastes the way sunscreen smells.” Well, sort of. The good news is that by taking it, I went from raving mad 103-degrees to about 95% cured in twelve hours. I hope it works as well for you.