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There have been instances where individuals noticed alterations in their taste after beginning GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

Clinical trials have documented instances where users experience a change in how they perceive certain flavors, with fewer than 0.4% of participants reporting this side effect. It’s not common, but it is significant enough to warrant attention, especially as the medication’s use becomes more widespread.

New research is starting to uncover evidence that may explain these observations. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind these taste changes, exploring why they happen and what they might mean for your overall health.

Key Takeaways

  • Taste buds are sensory organs found on the tongue, mouth, and throat. They detect five basic tastes—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami—and send signals to the brain for flavor perception.
  • People with diabetes often experience reduced sensitivity to sweetness.
  • Older adults are more susceptible to chemosensory disorders, with studies showing an increased risk of taste loss associated with certain medications, such as antifungal drugs.
  • Poor oral hygiene, smoking, and nutritional deficiencies can negatively impact the function of taste buds, potentially dulling the sense of taste.
  • Functional MRI studies showed that semaglutide affects brain activity in response to sweet tastes, particularly in regions associated with language, memory, and reasoning.

How Do Taste Buds Work?

Doctor using tongue depressor on patient

Taste buds are sensory organs found on the tongue, roof of the mouth, and throat. Each taste bud contains cells that detect the five basic tastes:

  • Sweet
  • Sour
  • Salty
  • Bitter
  • Umami

When food or drink interacts with these cells, signals are sent through nerves to the brain’s gustatory cortex, where taste is processed. The brain combines this information with other sensory inputs like smell and texture to form the perception of flavor.

Factors That Affect Taste Buds

Several factors can alter how taste buds function:

1. Medications

Half of the top 100 drugs prescribed in the US in 2017 have the potential to cause issues related to taste and smell, leading to chemosensory complaints and side effects. This includes medication groups like:

  • Anti-infectives
  • Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and/or analgesic agents
  • Antihistamines and antiallergenic agents
  • Antihypertensives and cardiovascular agents
  • Antilipidemics
  • CNS drugs/Sympathomimetics
  • Endocrine and diabetes drugs
  • Gastrointestinal drugs
  • Psychopharmacologic agents
  • Nose, throat, and pulmonary agents
  • Vitamins, minerals nutrients, and related compounds

The classification of these sensory issues caused by drugs and other factors hasn’t been universally standardized in medical literature. Common terms used to describe chemosensory disorders include:

  • Ageusia – complete loss of taste
  • Hypogeusia – reduced taste sensitivity
  • Hypergeusia – increased taste sensitivity
  • Dysgeusia – distorted taste perception
  • Phantogeusia – experiencing taste without any food
  • Anosmia – complete loss of smell
  • Hyposmia – reduced smell sensitivity
  • Hyperosmia – increased smell sensitivity
  • Dysosmia – distorted smell perception
  • Phantosmia – sensing odors that aren’t present

As for Ozempic, dysgeusia was reported as a side effect in clinical trials, affecting fewer than 0.4% of participants.

2. Health Conditions

While genetics can influence changes in taste, most taste alterations are caused by internal conditions such as liver and kidney failure, uremia, and diabetes.

So far, there aren’t many studies that have looked at changes in overall taste sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. It’s still uncertain whether factors like diet can change how sensitive someone is to different tastes or if the opposite is true.

People with diabetes often have a reduced ability to taste sweetness compared to other flavors. This decreased sensitivity to sweet tastes might lead them to make unhealthy food choices, which can worsen obesity and insulin resistance.

Since many factors contribute to diabetes, there may be a connection between the condition and how sensitive someone is to different tastes.

3. Aging

Studies indicate that chemosensory disorders are more common in older adults. An example of this increased risk is the taste loss associated with terbinafine, an antifungal medication.

In a study, patients aged 65 and older are 4.4 times more likely to experience taste loss compared to those aged 35 or younger.

4. Lifestyle Factors

Smoking, poor oral hygiene, and a lack of essential nutrients can negatively impact taste bud function. Smoking is particularly known to dull the sense of taste.

There aren’t any standard treatments for these changes. However, some options include adding flavors to food to mask or improve unpleasant tastes.

What is Ozempic Tongue?

“Ozempic Tongue” refers to reports of taste changes or alterations in taste perception experienced by some individuals taking Ozempic. These changes can include a metallic taste, reduced sensitivity to certain flavors, or altered preferences for sweet or savory foods.

How can Ozempic Affect Your Taste Buds?

Close-up of a person holding and about to eat a piece of bread topped with cheese.

A recent study presented at ENDO 2024, led by Dr. Mojca Jensterle Sever from the University Medical Centre in Ljubljana, involved 30 women with an average BMI of 36.4. The participants were randomly divided to receive either a 1 mg dose of semaglutide or a placebo.

The study revealed that semaglutide can:

1. Improve taste sensitivity

Researchers assessed the participants’ taste sensitivity using strips with varying concentrations of different tastes. They found that semaglutide enhanced sensitivity to four tastes: salty, sweet, sour, and bitter.

2. Alter gene expression related to taste perception in the tongue

A tongue biopsy was performed to analyze changes in gene expression. The study identified changes in the expression of genes that are linked to taste pathways, neural plasticity, and the renewal of taste buds, such as:

  • EYA (Eyes Absent Homolog): Although primarily studied in the context of eye development, EYA’s role in cell differentiation and survival could extend to taste bud cells.
  • PRMT8 (Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 8): PRMT8 plays a role in neural signaling and synaptic function. It may influence how taste signals are processed and interpreted, thereby affecting taste perception.
  • CRLF1 (Cytokine Receptor-Like Factor 1): Cytokines can modulate the sensitivity of sensory neurons, including those involved in taste, potentially altering taste perception.
  • CYP1B1 (Cytochrome P450 1B1): This enzyme could affect how taste-active compounds are metabolized in the oral cavity or other tissues, potentially altering taste sensitivity or preference.

The study author pointed out that mRNA sequencing has its limitations and doesn’t directly indicate changes in protein levels or activity. Future research will determine if semaglutide’s effectiveness in treating obesity is truly related to taste.

3. Change the brain’s response to sweet tastes

The research used functional MRI to observe brain activity in response to sweet stimuli. Semaglutide was found to affect this activity, particularly in the angular gyrus, which is important for language, memory, and reasoning.

Dr. Jensterle Sever noted that the findings could be of interest to both the general public and clinicians. For patients, these changes in taste perception might explain shifts in food preferences beyond general changes in appetite.

It’s also important to note that the study’s results have not yet been peer-reviewed and published in a scientific journal.

Gain further insights into this study through Whiteboard Medicine’s YouTube video, a platform focused on educating both learners and medical professionals.

Should You Be Concerned?

Taste changes are usually mild and may lessen over time.

Adding to the discussion, Dr. Andres Splenser, an endocrinologist associated with Memorial Hermann in Houston, shared with Verywell Health that some of his patients reported a reduction in “food noise,” or the constant preoccupation with food, after starting semaglutide.

Although his patients haven’t specifically mentioned changes in taste, they have expressed a decreased interest in usually tempting foods.

Dr. Mir Ali, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and medical director at MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center, told Medical News Today that taste changes are common in patients losing weight through surgery. Hence, Dr. Sever’s findings were not surprising.

However, he questioned whether the change in taste is due to an alteration in taste buds or a shift in the sense of smell, which significantly influences taste perception.

Dr. Ali further noted that while improved taste sensitivity could make healthy foods more appealing, it might also enhance the taste of foods that should be avoided. This dual effect underscores the complexity of how taste changes might influence dietary choices.

Takeaway

While Ozempic can cause taste changes, the medication’s benefits usually outweigh these effects. If the taste changes result in unintended weight loss, nutritional issues, or decreased quality of life, discussing these with your doctor is important. Adjusting the dosage, switching medications, or finding ways to manage these side effects might be necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Ozempic does Ozempic take away your appetite. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it mimics a natural hormone that specifically targets certain regions of the brain involved in appetite regulation. This effect can lead to a feeling of fullness, making it useful for weight management in individuals with type 2 diabetes or those prescribed the medication for weight loss.

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can occur as a side effect of Ozempic. While not extremely common, some users have reported experiencing a dry mouth while taking the medication. You can manage this side effect by maintaining hydration, chewing sugar-free gum, or utilizing saliva substitutes if needed.

There is no strong evidence to suggest that Ozempic directly causes tongue sores. However, some individuals might experience side effects like nausea or acid reflux, which could potentially lead to mouth discomfort or sores indirectly. If you notice tongue sores or other oral issues while taking Ozempic, it is advisable to consult your provider to rule out other causes.

Tongue swelling is a rare but serious potential side effect of Ozempic. This could be a sign of an allergic reaction known as angioedema, which requires immediate medical attention. If you notice swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat, it is important to seek emergency medical care.

Numbness of the tongue is not a commonly reported side effect of Ozempic. Although some users have reported experiencing tingling or numbness in various parts of the body, including the tongue, this is not well-documented in clinical trials. If you experience unusual sensations such as tongue numbness, it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider to determine the cause.

Users have reported that sweet and fatty foods often taste less appealing or different when taking Ozempic, potentially reducing cravings for these foods.

Taste changes may last for a few weeks to several months, depending on the individual. Many find that these changes diminish over time.

It’s generally not necessary to stop the medication due to taste changes, but you should consult your healthcare provider if the symptom is bothersome or persists.

Not everyone who takes Ozempic will notice changes in taste. It’s a relatively uncommon side effect, affecting only a subset of users.

Some individuals might experience taste changes more noticeably at higher doses, but this can vary, and it’s essential to follow the prescribed dosage from your healthcare provider.

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