Taste changes
Food may taste bland, bitter, salty, or like metal. Foods you used to love may not taste good right now.
Why it happens
Chemotherapy, radiation to the head and neck, some targeted drugs, and some antibiotics can change taste. It often improves weeks to months after treatment ends.
What helps
- Use plastic forks and spoons if food tastes like metal.
- Add flavor with herbs, spices, lemon, or marinades, if your mouth is not sore.
- Try cold or room-temperature foods, which can have less odor and taste.
- Rinse your mouth before meals with water or a salt and baking soda rinse.
- Try new foods. Your tastes may be different during treatment.
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing gently.
Call your care team right away if you have
- Taste changes keep you from eating enough.
- You are losing weight.
- You notice white patches or pain in your mouth.
Questions to ask
- Could a mouth infection be causing this?
- Will my sense of taste come back after treatment?
- Can a dietitian help me find foods I can enjoy?
Medicines that can cause this
- Bevacizumab
- Cabazitaxel
- Cabozantinib
- Cisplatin
- Crizotinib
- Enfortumab vedotin
- Entrectinib
- Olaparib
- Pazopanib
- Rucaparib
- Sunitinib
- Talquetamab
- Tarlatamab
- Warfarin
Sources
Quick answers
- What is taste changes during cancer treatment?
- Food may taste bland, bitter, salty, or like metal. Foods you used to love may not taste good right now.
- Why does taste changes happen?
- Chemotherapy, radiation to the head and neck, some targeted drugs, and some antibiotics can change taste. It often improves weeks to months after treatment ends.
- What helps with taste changes?
- Use plastic forks and spoons if food tastes like metal; Add flavor with herbs, spices, lemon, or marinades, if your mouth is not sore; Try cold or room-temperature foods, which can have less odor and taste; Rinse your mouth before meals with water or a salt and baking soda rinse; Try new foods. Your tastes may be different during treatment; Keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing gently.
- When should I call my care team about taste changes?
- Taste changes keep you from eating enough; You are losing weight; You notice white patches or pain in your mouth.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.