While I'm confident Flagyl is working I have suffered some severe side effects, one of which is unlisted. I believe it is working because my abdominal pain has significantly decreased since being diagnosed with diverticulitis about 1 week ago. I am also taking Cipro. The reported side effect of having a metallic taste is very understated! Not only do I have an AWFUL paint/chemical taste constantly in my mouth, but my sense of smell is on overdrive! This has contributed significantly to my loss of appetite, nausea, and in many cases my inability to function. I threw away my sheets because I couldn't sleep; I carry around room deodorizer with me because whenever I walk into a room I gag due to the smells - that are only overwhelming to me.
Has anyone had an overactive sense of smell while taking Flagyl?
Question posted by mackyd on 21 Oct 2011
Last updated on 14 July 2023
20 Answers Page 2
Yes I had same issue while taking cipro & flagyl, and for months after. I kept smelling a nasty stinky garlicy beef dog food poop odor. Even right after a shower. Wasn't sure if it was me, my own breath or my body odor. I kept checking to see if I sharted my shorts. My wife said she didn't smell it. It took months to go away.
I still don't know what it really was.
Some online posts , people speculate on causes. Some include imbalances of intestinal flora, even Candida (yeast) overgrowth.
Omg!!! Yes yes yes the smell embeds itself in everything sheets washcloths clothes anything you wash with any contaminated item then also becomes stinky. But once it gets into your car... that's the worst. It smells sweet but pungent - old person smell - halitosis -infection - hospital or more like nursing home. What is that smell ? It's gotten itself even embedded in my Himalayan salt lamp that supposed to be cleaning the air..
Yes, yes, yes. I realize this is a fairly old post, but I too have frequent bouts with diverticulitis and each time I get prescribed Flagyl + Cipro. And each time my sense of smell goes off the charts. There is one common smell that is very weird that is hard to describe, but it is chemical smelling. I've never smelled this when not on the meds. I often smell that one on people's breaths, but not everyone has it. When I stop taking the meds, the abnormal smell eventually goes away. I don't remember how long it takes, but maybe just a couple days?
I absolutely hate this treatment. Bad taste in mouth. Bad smells. Makes me feel unwell. By the end of the treatment, I am completely disgusted.
This is my 6th round of Flagyl over a 10 month period for C Diff. Beginning w/the fourth round I noticed a bad odor emanating it seems from my head chest and upper back area. Maybe that is only what I think since these regions are up near my nose. Also I may have had it each time I took Flagyl, yet it progressed w/each subsequent round, and that's why I noticed it. I also began getting a rash - small raised bumps I this same area, so I thought maybe it was from that, and I too smell it heavily (though I believe I'm hypersensitive in the smelling department now, too) on my pillow case and sheets and keep washing them every couple of days. Showering doesn't take the odor away but it makes it better than before the shower. Between rounds of Flagyl - this may be my last due to increasing side effects - the order (I can best describe as burning flesh) and rash go away thankfully. This last time it took > 2 weeks.
I am left with the hyper awareness of smells however, and sometimes wonder if the experience of each offensive odor now is truly present or if I am left w/some sort of "PTSD" associated with the smells that once assaulted me..that in reality they are only a memory as strong as a flashback. I have trouble eating now too and have am flooded with memories as if I was back where I originally smelled the particular smell, whether shampoo, food, fabric softener, etc. I even have traumatic nightmares of when I first noticed the newly mega smell of things..where I was, etc. I know the body odor will leave eventually when I get off this med. until then, I'm canceling my hair cut appt. as it emanates from my scalp, too.
I am on Flagyl and Cipro for the same disorder. I thought I was imagining it at first, but the phenomenon lasted for, so far, five days since starting the drugs (and I hope it ends when treatment ends). I walked into a Big Lots store and was horrified by the overwhelming chemical/plastic smells. I thought "I don't remember it being this bad before. I feel sorry for the workers breathing this toxic environment for eight hours!" Soon I realized that everything had an enhanced odor, from my dogs' poop in the yard (I thought maybe my dog was sick it was so unusually stinky) to people's halitosis (even my doctor's breath today was bad) to fragrances to chemicals.
I feel sorry for my dogs if they can smell as well or, probably much better, than this. It is a bit oppressive if not disgusting. But on the plus side, you realize how much out-gassing there is, especially with plastics. Something gained in that.
YES! YES! YES! The worst part about smelling others halitosis is there smelly breath practically embeds itself in my car.. even after the person has exited my vehicle. my sense of smell is on overdrive.. and chemicals are the worst especially any hotel room with heater ac unit in the room.. I just gag. I can smell my leak or dirty air duct a mile away!
Thank god I'm not the only one!!! I too was in the hospital for the same GI disorder and was on iv antibiotics. I could smell "chemical like" smell in my urine. Once discharged, I'm taking antibiotics Flagyl and Cipro, and noticed my hypersensitive heightened smell. I asked my wife who is an assistant nurse director and she thought I was crazy nor ever heard of this side affect including my PCP. I can smell someones (i guess) enzymes/bacteria in their breath 5 ft away... We won't talk about my truck's ac. I asked my friends who were in my truck and they said they smell nothing... Smells like something crawled into to my vents and died... I go back to work in 3 days I'm dreading it because I am an EMT. And I have a week and a half left on my antibiotics. I do hope this subsides when I finish my prescription.
yes. I took ten days of Flagyl and stopped it 3 weeks ago and am left with a wierd odor that seems to be emenating from the nose at times and others from the skin itself .. this has affected my taste as well and the doctor wants me to go on an antidepressant.. I feel that it's not FROM depression but very well could be causing one as this is maddening.. My wife finally admitted she could smell this odor... the doc said he could not..i too have been awakening by it..and is with me most all the time now..Hard to describe the odor.but not pleasant.
Related topics
flagyl, diverticulitis, pain, side effect
Further information
- Flagyl uses and safety info
- Flagyl prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Flagyl (detailed)
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