Why Do I Have a Metallic Taste in My Mouth After Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Key takeaways:

Developing a metallic taste in your mouth after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is a very rare side effect.
When it happens, the metal taste occurs almost immediately after the shot.
If you develop a strange taste or loss of taste days after the vaccine, that is more likely to be from COVID-19 infection, not a side effect of the vaccine.

Recently, some people have reported developing a metallic taste in their mouths after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. This is a very rare side effect. We’ll talk about what the effect is like, why it happens after some medications and vaccines, and what you should watch for if it happens to you.

Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause a metallic taste in my mouth?

Some people report having a metallic taste in their mouth immediately after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Those that developed it described it as tasting like nickels.

This side effect is very rare, however. According to John Sellick, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Buffalo, out of tens of thousands of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccine doses that have been administered, only a handful of people reported a metallic taste after the shot.

Should I be concerned?

If you develop a metal taste immediately after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, there is no reason to be concerned. While rare, it has been reported as a benign side effect that goes away on its own within a day or two.

You should be concerned, though, if you develop a loss of smell, loss of taste, other symptoms, or if the symptoms begin a day or two after your shot. A loss of smell or taste that begins days after vaccination is much more likely to be due to COVID-19 infection.

How long does this side effect usually last?

Those that developed this side effect said it lasted anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.

If you develop a metallic taste that lasts longer, there may be another cause.

Is there anything I can do to treat it?

While COVID-19 vaccine-related metallic taste is short-lived and likely does not need treatment, there are recommended treatments for a metallic taste due to other causes. These treatments include stopping any medications associated with a metallic taste, using artificial saliva if dry mouth is part of the problem, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding metal utensils.

Other treatments, like chewing gum to stimulate saliva, may also be helpful.

Why do some vaccines and antibiotics leave you with a metallic taste in your mouth?

There are many different medications, including antibiotics, and other vaccines that can cause a metallic taste in your mouth. In fact, over 300 medications can be associated with a metallic taste.

For some of them, the metallic taste comes from how the drugs affect zinc absorption. A low zinc level can cause the metallic taste. For others, we don’t know exactly what causes the metallic taste, but scientists have found some possibilities. These include medication-induced changes in saliva production, presence of the drug in your saliva, changes in normal cell function, nerve damage, infection, and changes to your nervous system.

The bottom line

Developing a metallic taste in your mouth after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is possible, but it is extremely rare. When it happens, it begins almost immediately after the shot and lasts up to a couple of days. In the meantime, drinking plenty of water, chewing gum, and avoiding metal utensils may help you feel better.

If you have developed a loss of taste, rather than a metallic taste, or a change in taste that starts days after you get the vaccine, that is more likely due to COVID-19 infection.

If you have a metallic taste after starting a medication, talk to your doctor about stopping the medication, if possible.

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Written by:

Kelly Elterman, MD

Kelly Elterman, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist by the American Board of Anesthesiologyand has been practicing clinically since she finished her residency training in 2013. Along with her training, she has over 10 years experience in anesthesiology.

Edited by:

Dan Wagener, MA

Dan Wagener, MA, is an editor and writer with experience in healthcare, mental health, and prescription drug use and misuse. At GoodRx, he worked on stories about drug prices, co-pay cards, prescription trends, telehealth, and more.

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