Can acid reflux cause a constant bad taste?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was on antibiotics from around nine months ago until about two months ago. I started on Protonix (Pantoprazole sodium) around four months ago for heartburn that would not let up or go away, and it worked great.

Around three months ago, I had oral surgery to remove the remaining of my teeth. That was the reason for me being on antibiotics for so long. Around that time, I was placed on multiple courses of antibiotics before and after the surgery.

About two months ago, my heartburn got so bad that it was almost unbearable. I had gotten off Protonix (Pantoprazole sodium) when I had my teeth removed and started back on it again shortly after. Since then, the burning has improved a lot, and now I only feel it rarely.

However, now I am getting this weird, almost vomit-like taste in my mouth throughout the day. I wake up with a weird feeling and a very mild burn in my throat, and at nighttime, it flares again. I do take Pepcid (Famotidine) and Gaviscon (antacid) before going to bed.

I recently switched to Prevacid (Lanzoprazole) about two weeks ago, and I am taking 30 mg of that.

Is it normal for me to still be getting this nasty taste every day?
It is not constant all day like it was before, but it does come and go most of the time. I recently switched to Prevacid, and I am taking 30 mg of that. Is it normal for me to still be getting this nasty taste every day?

It is not constant all day like it was before, but it does come and go most of the time.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

What you are describing can happen after long courses of antibiotics, dental surgery, and changes in acid-suppressing medications.

The improvement in your severe heartburn is reassuring, but the ongoing bad or vomit-like taste, mild throat burning on waking, and nighttime flare-ups suggest that you may still be having some reflux, especially silent reflux (laryngopharyngeal reflux), where acid or non-acid contents reach the throat and mouth.

A few things could be contributing:

Long-term antibiotics can change the normal bacteria and yeast balance in the mouth and gut, which may cause an unpleasant taste.
Stopping and restarting Protonix (Pantoprazole sodium) may have allowed reflux inflammation to flare temporarily.
Switching from Protonix to Prevacid (Lanzoprazole) about two weeks ago means your body may still be adjusting to the new PPI (proton pump inhibitor).
Reflux that is worse overnight and upon waking is very common because stomach contents can move upward while lying down.

The fact that the severe burning has improved a lot. Your symptoms are now intermittent instead of constant, and Pepcid (Famotidine) and Gaviscon (antacid) help somewhat, suggesting healing may still be ongoing. It can take several weeks for throat and esophageal irritation to fully settle, even after acid is better controlled.

However, your persistent foul taste can also sometimes be related to:

Oral thrush (yeast overgrowth after antibiotics).
Dry mouth.
Postnasal drainage or sinus issues.
Dental healing after extractions.
Ongoing reflux or regurgitation.

There are some medicine and lifestyle changes that can help you. A few things are as follows:

Take Prevacid (Lanzoprazole) 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast consistently every day.
Avoid eating within three hours of bedtime.
Elevate the head of the bed or use a wedge pillow.
Avoid trigger foods at night, such as greasy foods, tomato, citrus, chocolate, caffeine, peppermint, and alcohol.
Stay hydrated and maintain good oral hygiene, including brushing the tongue gently.

You should contact your GI specialist (gastroenterologist) if:

The bad taste keeps worsening.
Swallowing becomes painful or difficult.
you develop chest pain, vomiting, black stools, weight loss, or persistent nausea, or
Symptoms do not continue improving over the next few weeks.

Because of the prolonged antibiotic exposure, it would also be reasonable to ask your doctor to check for oral thrush or other oral causes if you notice a coated tongue, white patches, or soreness.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.