Can Trazodone Cause Taste Issues?
Trazodone does not commonly cause taste disturbances as a recognized side effect. The most frequent adverse effects are somnolence, dizziness, headache, and dry mouth—not taste alterations 1.
Primary Side Effect Profile
The established side effects of trazodone include 1, 2:
- Somnolence/sedation (most prominent side effect, occurring at higher rates than other second-generation antidepressants)
- Dizziness (particularly orthostatic)
- Headache
- Dry mouth (anticholinergic effect, but minimal compared to tricyclic antidepressants)
- Nausea and vomiting (gastrointestinal effects)
Taste Issues: Not a Documented Effect
Taste disturbances (dysgeusia or metallic taste) are not listed among trazodone's common or documented adverse effects in clinical guidelines or research 1, 2, 3. This contrasts sharply with medications like ethionamide, which commonly causes a metallic taste 4.
In clinical discontinuation studies, the reasons patients stopped trazodone included priapism, daytime sedation, vivid nightmares, dry mouth/sinuses, muscle pain, and severe agitation—but taste alterations were not reported 1.
Clinical Considerations
If a patient on trazodone reports taste issues, consider:
- Dry mouth as the culprit: Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a documented trazodone side effect 1 and can indirectly alter taste perception through reduced saliva production
- Polypharmacy interactions: Evaluate other medications the patient is taking, as many psychotropic drugs can cause taste disturbances
- Depression itself: Major depressive disorder can independently cause taste alterations and appetite changes 5
Serious Side Effects to Monitor Instead
Focus clinical attention on trazodone's documented serious adverse effects 4, 1, 2:
- Priapism (approximately 7% in discontinuation studies—requires emergency intervention within 4 hours)
- QT prolongation and potential torsade de pointes (rare but documented, particularly with overdose)
- Orthostatic hypotension (especially in elderly patients)
- Cardiovascular effects (arrhythmias, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease)
Bottom line: Taste disturbances are not a recognized side effect of trazodone. If a patient reports this symptom, investigate alternative causes including dry mouth (which trazodone does cause), concomitant medications, or the underlying psychiatric condition itself.