Smell Distortion: Medications That Change Your Sense of Smell

When your sense of smell goes wrong, it’s not just annoying—it can be unsettling. Smell distortion, a condition where odors are perceived differently or falsely, often called dysosmia. Also known as parosmia, it’s when something that usually smells good, like coffee or bread, suddenly smells like rotten eggs or chemicals. This isn’t just in your head—it’s a real side effect tied to certain drugs. Many people don’t realize their changed sense of smell could be from a medication they’re taking, not a cold or aging.

One of the most common causes is dysosmia, a type of smell distortion where odors are distorted or unpleasant, often linked to antibiotics like amoxicillin or antivirals like aciclovir. Other offenders include blood pressure meds like lisinopril, antidepressants like venlafaxine, and even some diabetes drugs. It’s not always permanent—some people get their sense of smell back after stopping the drug. But for others, it lingers for months, affecting appetite, mood, and safety (like not smelling smoke or gas). Taste distortion, closely tied to smell since 80% of taste comes from odor, often comes along for the ride. Food tastes metallic, bitter, or gone entirely. That’s not just a bad day—it’s a medication side effect many doctors don’t ask about.

What makes this tricky is that smell distortion doesn’t show up in blood tests or scans. You have to describe it. And if your doctor doesn’t know about it, they might think you’re imagining things. But it’s real. Studies show over 10% of people on certain meds report changes in smell or taste. If you’ve noticed food tasting off, or smelling smoke when there’s none, check your pill bottle. You’re not alone. Below, you’ll find real cases and clear breakdowns of which drugs cause these changes, how long they last, and what steps you can take to fix it—or at least manage it.