To describe a case of bupivacaine-induced metallic taste.
Case Summary:
A 48-year-old white woman admitted with scleroderma necrosis of the finger was given bupivacaine via an axillary catheter for pain relief. She experienced a metallic taste that abated on discontinuation of bupivacaine and recurred on rechallenge.
Discussion:
The close temporal sequence of bupivacaine-induced metallic taste has not been previously reported in the literature. This supports the existence of a causal relationship between bupivacaine and development of a metallic taste disturbance.
Conclusions:
Alterations in taste are an underrecognized effect of many drugs. This case illustrates this adverse drug reaction.
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