Metallic taste

A metallic taste is not usually serious. What you can do to get rid of it will depend on the cause.

There are lots of possible causes of a metallic taste in the mouth.

Common causes include:

• gum disease
• taking certain medicines, like metronidazole or zopiclone
• cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• colds, sinus infections and other airway problems
• indigestion
• being pregnant

Sometimes, a lost or changed sense of smell can cause a metallic taste in your mouth.

If you have a metallic taste in your mouth, what you can do to get rid of it depends on what's causing it. It will sometimes go away by itself.

See a GP if: