Taste Disturbance and Hospital Admission Due to Terbinafine

Abstract

Terbinafine is a synthetic allylamine antifungal that can infrequently cause taste disturbance. The onset of taste disturbance usually occurs within 4 to 6 weeks after initiation of therapy and lasts for an average of 6 weeks after therapy is discontinued. The presentation of this adverse effect varies widely, from mild to more dramatic cases. Here, the authors report a dramatic example that resulted in extreme weight loss, dehydration, and hospitalization of the affected individual.