Has anyone had an overactive sense of smell while taking Flagyl?

Yes. I thought I was losing it. The constant chemical/paint taste in my mouth makes me so nauseous. I barely have an appetite. I can't think about eating when all i taste is that. All i smell is sewer/bodily functions 24/7. It just smells so terrible all the time. Every smell is overwelming and makes my migraines worse. It makes me gag, have no appetite, and have nausea. Because I haven't been able to eat much, I have been weak, dizzy, and exhausted. It's hard to function when all you smell is horrible smells. Yes, the medicine works, but I have never felt this terrible. I've had to sit at work taking whiffs of hand sanitizer so I don't throw up. If your doctor suggests this medicine, beg them for something else.

OMG yes. The smell is so bad. We have had a heat spell for over two weeks of over 110 plus degrees and my house is in direct sunlight and I thought the sun was melting the siding on my house. It was this chemical, metal smell. Even my eyes were burning. It stopped after four hours or so, then I took my last dose for the night which is my last dose forever and I started to get that awful smell again. I was afraid to go to bed and then it dawned on me, it has to be those meds the doctor gave me. My doctor gave them to me to treat diverticulitis. I don’t believe it but I wanted an antibiotic for what I believe was a gut infection. I’m allergic to penicillin, so I got the prescription filled. Never, ever again. So glad I found this forum.

I’m so glad I’m not the only one. Years ago I took Flagyl whenever I would have a Chrons’ disease flare. I remember feeling so sickened by the overly heightened sense of smell. For me it was mainly the smell of people’s breath. Not everyone. Just specific coworkers. It was a putrid smell. A sick smell. Also, my lipstick! Every time I put it on I would gag. It smelled like fat. A sour, rotten, fatty smell. I told my doc but she had never heard anyone complain of this side effect. I will never take Flagyl again. I take Xifaxan now for IBD flares.

I am also so glad others have commented on this. I’m wondering if anyone can speak to this problem having resolved for them??

I have definitely noticed the bad smell thing. I started noticing a damp, mildew type of smell soon after starting flagyl. It's as if someone left a huge pile of wet laundry to just sit in a basket for several days with a just a hint of raw sewage. I noticed it everywhere, like it was following me and it was actually what brought me to this site.

Like many other commenters I am also taking Cipro for a diverticulitis flare up. This is terrible but I will 100 percent take it over the 10 out of 10 stabbing side pains I was having with the flare up. Oh and I feel physically hungry but the sight and thought of actually eating food makes me feel ill. If that makes sense. A few days ago the only thing I could stomach was instant ramen noodles (I know terrible for you). I made a pack but the smell of it has lingered this whole time. I have 4 more days of this, including today. I can't wait to be done and move on with my life!

I took Metronidazole for an infection and it's been 2 weeks since I stopped it, and my sense of taste and smell is still different. Garlic smells disgusting to me now, and even with foods like bacon, eggs and a few others, it's not the same. But I don't know if it's just temporary, or will it continue on for the next month or so

I was so happy to find this. I just yesterday finished my 10 day course of Flagyl and Cipro for my 2nd bout of diverticulitis. About 4 or 5 days into it, like flipping a switch, so much in my house smelled terrible. The same smell. And my nose almost - no did, burned. So I asked my husband and we went around, sorta super cleaning. Sure, we found stuff that could use some spring cleaning but I couldn't shake it. The last straw was when I opened a new bottle of sealed OTC meds and the cotton smelled like it to my nose. I got online, and searched for Flagyl Sense of Smell. I hope if goes away asap. I was inches from tossing most of my ebay inventory, which all - magically and tragically - smelled terrible! And I sell very nice gently used and vintage clothing! OMG!

Thank god I found this post I thought I was going mad. I just finished a course of Flagyl for a gum infection and I have this strange overactive sense of smell I can smell like a chemical type smell a lot too. I actually thought it was just from my daughter at first (which had me concerned) then I realised I am getting these odd smells or very strong smells everywhere. I took my last tablet on Friday this is Sunday any idea when this will go away?

I have been on Flagyl for 3 days for a new dental infection, including several IV doses in the hospital emergency room. I am NOT taking Cipro, but am also taking Augmentin after 3 initial doses of Unisyn synthetic penicillin. Everything smells indescribably funky; sometimes I just smell it when there is nothing else to smell, as if my nose itself has an odor... or my sweat, or my skin smells. Other people assure me that I don't smell. The pancakes my wife just cooked smell like it. I threw off my bedclothes the other night because I thought they smelled bad, but I still smelled it. I also have experienced the enhanced sense of smell that some have described. I can smell a glass of red wine from 10 feet away! It seems to me that the Flagyl must be affecting the smell receptors in my nose or possibly my brain's interpretation of the input from those receptors. Most of the taste sensations we experience beyond things like sweet/sour, bitter, salty and several others actually come from our noses.

I was recently prescribed the same 2 drugs and have had exactly the same experience. I was due to take a 10 day course but have given up after 3 days because the side effects of the drugs are worse than the illness itself! I would describe the smell as mould combined with very old over ripe French Brie cheese. I notice it in so many places and on some people and often it makes me wretch. The taste in my mouth is disgusting but worse is the constant thirst caused by the treacle like texture of the saliva. I stopped taking the drugs 2 days ago after only 3 days. I hope the side effects will go soon!

I'm so glad I googled this topic. I'm on Flagyl/Cipro for DV and the smells are going to do me in over and above the DV! First I thought it was my cat, then the other human in the house, then the dog and then my coworkers. Everything and everyone stinks. It's like a super man sense of smell and it's not pleasant! Five more days of pills and I hope this resolves! Also zero appetite which I'll take as I needed to shed a few lbs.

I am SO happy to see these posts! It's the first time I've ever taken Flagyl; like the posts above I'm taking it with Cipro for diverticulitis. I am driving everyone crazy around me as I walk into a place and say "what's that smell"? I feel like I've got a dog's sense of smell, but only for the bad things. And I have a metallic taste in my mouth. At least now I know why. Thank you everyone!