Objective. The purpose of this review is to highlight drugs that have been involved in causing taste dys function during cancer chemotherapy and discuss possible management strategies. To illustrate the po tentially damaging consequences that can occur, a case study, describing a taste disturbance with levami sole, is presented.
Data sources. A variety of literature sources, including manual and on-line (Medline, IDIS) search ing were used. Taste or taste disorders linked with antineoplastic agents or individual drug names were used as the primary search terms.
Study selection. Any articles mentioning taste disturbances during cancer chemotherapy were con sidered.
Conclusion. Taste alteration is a poorly re ported and often neglected side effect of drug treat ment. The initial treatment of taste disturbance in volves isolating the cause and correction of any contributing factors. Withdrawal of the offending drug commonly leads to resolution of symptoms. However, if this is inappropriate, management or temporary relief of symptoms often can be achieved. The consequences of taste disturbances can be con siderable, ranging from reduction in a patient's quality of life to cessation of a potentially curative treatment. Pharmacists should be aware of this adverse effect and the possible damaging impact it can have on therapeutic outcome.
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