Al. Stoll et G. Oepen, ZINC SALTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF OLFACTORY AND GUSTATORY SYMPTOMS IN PSYCHIATRIC-PATIENTS - A CASE SERIES, The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 55(7), 1994, pp. 309-311
Background: Zinc salts have been used extensively in medical settings
to treat disorders of gustatory and olfactory function. However, zinc
supplements have not been tested in psychiatric patients with smell or
taste symptoms. Method: The authors examined the effects of zinc supp
lements on five consecutive patients with symptoms of abnormal taste a
nd smell perception in the context of acute psychiatric illness or tre
atment. Results: All five patients had complete or partial amelioratio
n of these olfactory and gustatory symptoms after treatment with zinc
sulfate or zinc gluconate, apparently independent of the improvement i
n their underlying psychiatric disorder. Conclusion: We recommend trea
ting unusual olfactory and gustatory symptoms with zinc salts, indepen
dent of the treatment for the underlying psychiatric disorder.