Effectiveness of Zinc Replacement Therapy With Zinc Acetate Dihydrate in Patients With Taste Disorder Associated With Zinc Deficiency: An Observational Study

ABSTRACT Background/Objective Zinc deficiency is a major cause of taste disorders. The effectiveness rate of zinc replacement therapy is approximately 70%, irrespective of the cause of deficiency. However, the effectiveness of this therapy in our department is lower than that reported in the field of otolaryngology. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of zinc replacement therapy in patients with taste disorder. Methods We administered zinc preparations (zinc acetate dihydrate [Nobelzin︎], 50 mg/day) to 22 patients (7 men and 15 women) who visited our hospital for > 12 weeks. The cause, time to effect, serum zinc level, and other parameters were evaluated to assess improvement in taste disorder. Improvement in taste disorder was defined as a subjective expression comparing conditions before and after the 12‐week administration of zinc acetate dihydrate. Results The overall improvement rate among the patients was 77% (17/22). Serum zinc levels were elevated in 86% (19/22) of patients. Conclusions Zinc acetate dihydrate is a promising treatment for zinc‐deficiency‐associated taste disorders.