Unpleasant Taste in the Mouth

Q:  I am a 78-year-old man and have an almost continuous unpleasant taste in my mouth -- on the sour side. I have experienced it for at least a year. Originally it was accompanied by a gummy mucous which seemed to cake my lips so that they seemed to stick together. Several months ago it disappeared.

I have taken Lotensin for high blood pressure for at least 15 years. I have also taken daily Prevacid for hyperacidity (recently diagnosed as hiatal hernia). My internist cannot identify a source but thinks its from the Prevacid. I have heard that with advancing age, something happens to the taste buds - maybe due to a chemical or hormonal deficiency (zinc?). Have you any idea? If not, what type of specialist might be consulted? Maybe an endocrinologist? Is it treatable?

A:  I agree with your doctor that the Prevacid is most likely the cause of the bad taste in your mouth. Although the most common side effect is diarrhea, it has also been reported to distort your sense of taste. While it is true that as people get older, their taste buds are not as sensitive, this does not usually result in a constant bad taste in your mouth. My recommendation is to stop the Prevacid, in consultation with your doctor of course, and see what happens before seeing another specialist.

"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.