Zinc gluconate in the treatment of dysgeusia--a randomized clinical trial.

Article Details

Citation
Copy to clipboard

Heckmann SM, Hujoel P, Habiger S, Friess W, Wichmann M, Heckmann JG, Hummel T

Zinc gluconate in the treatment of dysgeusia--a randomized clinical trial.

J Dent Res. 2005 Jan;84(1):35-8. doi: 10.1177/154405910508400105.

PubMed ID
15615872 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

In the treatment of dysgeusia, the use of zinc has been frequently tried, with equivocal results. The aim of the present randomized clinical trial, which involved a sufficiently large sample, was therefore to determine the efficacy of zinc treatment. Fifty patients with idiopathic dysgeusia were carefully selected. Zinc gluconate (140 mg/day; n=26) or placebo (lactose; n=24) was randomly assigned to the patients. The patients on zinc improved in terms of gustatory function (p <0.001) and rated the dysgeusia as being less severe (p <0.05). Similarly, signs of depression in the zinc group were less severe (Beck Depression Inventory, p <0.05; mood scale, p <0.05). With the exception of the salivary calcium level, which was higher in the zinc patients (p <0.05), no other significant group differences were found. In conclusion, zinc appears to improve general gustatory function and, consequently, general mood scores in dysgeusia patients.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs