some medications can cause bad odor

medications can

• contain odor compounds themselves
• interfere with the metabolism of odor compounds in the foods we eat
• interfere with the body’s endocrine (hormone) system leading to increased odor

odor presence depends on the dose, genetics and the individuals current metabolism capability

odor perception is subjective and depends on genetics and sensitivity of a persons smell sensors

some diseases can also cause body odor

the table below includes some medications and their commonly perceived odor

please note

if you are taking a medication that might be causing unpleasant odor it is important not to adjust the dose without consulting your prescribing medical professional

medication	odor description
amylnitrite	dirty socks
antidepressants: bupropion hydrochloride (Zyban) clomipramine hydrochloride (Anafranil) duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta) escitalopram oxalate (Lexapro) fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac, Sarafem) paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil) paroxetine mesylate (Pexeva) sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft) venlafaxine hydrochloride (Effexor)	odor associated with increased sweating
antihistamines	sulfur odor associated with dry mouth (xerostomia)
antineoplastics methotrexate actinomycin d flourouracil adriamycin bleomycin	decayed blood, yeasty associated with candida infection, sulfur associated with bacteria caused by dry mouth and low white blood cell count (leukopenia)
asprin	odor associated with increased sweating
atropines	sulfur odor associated with bacteria caused by dry mouth (xerostomia)
biphosphonates	odor associated with jaw bone necrosis
chloral hydrate	pungent
dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)	garlicky breath and body odor
diuretics	sulfur odor associated with bacteria caused by dry mouth (xerostomia)
empagliflozin (Jardiance)	sweet
ethyl alcohol	alcohol
euprolide acetate (Lupron)	fruity
griseofulvin (gris-PEG)	yeasty odor associated with oral yeast infection
isosorbide dinitrate	sulfur odor
isosorbide dinitrate (isordil)	tba
lithium salts	sulfur odor associated with bacteria caused by dry mouth (xerostomia)
metformin	dead fish
methamphetamine	ammonia, acetone, decay associated with rotting teeth
omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza)	fishy
omeprazole (prilosec)	garbage odor associated with slow food digestion (gastroparesis)
penicillamine	sulfur odor associated with increased gram negative bacteria
phenothiazine antipsychotics	sulfur odor associated with bacteria caused by dry mouth (xerostomia) and hairy tongue (lingua villosa nigra)
radiation therapy	sulfur odor associated with bacteria overgrowth in dry mouth (xerostomia)
ranitidine (zantac)	garbage odor associated with slow food digestion (gastroparesis)
statins: atorvastatin (lipitor) fluvastatin (lescol) lovastatin (mevacor, altoprev) pitavastatin (livalo) pravastatin (pravachol) rosuvastatin (crestor) simvastatin (zocor)	fruity
sulfa antibiotics	sulfur
thiocarbamide/thiourea	sulfur
thyroxine	odor associated with increased sweating
topiramate (Topamax) anticonvulsant	musty
	know any others? get in touch