I have been taking Cymbalta for approx. 7 years. About 1 month ago I lost my ability to smell and my taste buds have shut down. At first I thought it was allergic reaction to pollen, but the allergies have subsided but still not smell nor taste. I do not smoke cigarettes, take any other medications, drink only occasionally and adhere to a very health conscious diet. Any ideas?
Have any long term Cymbalta users reported loss of smell and tastebuds?
Question posted by volk1950 on 24 Aug 2010
Last updated on 7 April 2021 by Kay Wood
3 Answers
I'm having the same problem and can't attribute it to the other drugs I'm taking. I've been on Cymbalta for about five years and the problem started two months ago.
Thanks to the others for posting!
I am googling this side effect of cymbalta because I have it. I took Cymbalta over a year and lost my sense of smell. I thought it must be allergies. I slowly weaned off the cymbalta and have been off about 3 months. I am slowly regaining my sense of smell. Now, I can only smell things that stink. I can smell a foul odor and get sick to my stomach. I am hoping my sense of smell fully recovers. It is odd. I see nothing about this side effect on the Cymbalta website.
I've had a similar experience. I've been on Cymbalta for about 4 years. Several months ago I realized that nothing tasted sweet. I was throwing out ice cream thinking that the company that made it wasn't putting much sugar in it any more. Same with cakes etc. It finally dawned on me that I wasn't tasting the sweetness in anything. I only tasted sweetness when I put pure sugar on my tongue. Anyway, my doctor and dentist couldn't figure out what was causing it. It finally went away after about 3 months. Your post is the first clue I've had as to the possible cause. I also realized that I didn't have the sense of smell that others had.
Maybe yours will clear up in a couple of months too. For the short term, just do what I did and sprinkle sugar all over your ice cream!
Good luck.
Related topics
cymbalta, allergies, allergic reactions
Further information
- Cymbalta uses and safety info
- Cymbalta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Cymbalta (detailed)
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