title: Clindamycin and taste disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Topical use of clindamycin has been associated with taste disorders in the literature, but little is known about the nature of this adverse drug reaction. The aim of this article was to describe reports of clindamycin-induced taste disorders and to analyse the factors involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  The adverse drug reaction database of the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre was searched for reports concerning taste disorders with antibiotics. Clinical review of the cases and statistical analysis with logistic regression were performed. Characteristics of patients who reported taste disorders were compared for age, gender and formulation in clindamycin vs. other antibiotic users.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Taste disorders were reported in seven (18%) of the clindamycin cases. In five reports an oral formulation was involved, in one report intravenous (i.v.) administration and in one report both formulations were used. Latency was <1 day after start and in one case taste disorders were present repeatedly at 10 min after every i.v. application. The adjusted reporting odds ratio was 7.0 (95% confidence interval 2.8, 17.3) and supports a possible causal relationship.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association of clindamycin and taste disorders is supported by disproportionality analysis and seems to be independent of possible confounders such as age, gender and infections. The case reports suggest a role for clindamycin concentrations excreted in body fluids like saliva.
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. m.degroot@lareb.nl
authors.forename: Mark C H
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.forename: Eugène P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: van Puijenbroek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002981:Clindamycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D016017:Odds Ratio; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002981:Clindamycin