Nystatin – leaflet, properties and application of the drug

Proven content

Nystatin is one of the medications often prescribed to patients who struggle with various types of fungal infections. In pharmacies, nystatin – tablets, suspension or vaginal globules – is available only on prescription. How does nystatin work? How to use this medicine and what information should you pay attention to when reading its leaflet?

Nystatin – leaflet

Nystatin – a substance with the formula C47H75NO17 – is a polyene antibiotic that exhibits antifungal activity: fungistatic and fungicidal. It is obtained in the process of breeding a special species of actinomycetes – Streptomyces nursei.

How Nystatin Works? In short, it penetrates the fungal cell membrane, where it binds to a substance called ergosterol, forming pores and channels and breaking the membrane. In this way, nystatin disrupts the protective functions of the fungal cell membrane, interrupts the metabolic processes taking place in this organism and, as a result, leads to its death. This process usually takes between 24 and 72 hours – that’s more or less what you have to wait for therapeutic effects of nystatin use.

Nystatin is used in treating fungal infections such as:

1. yeasts, e.g.Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Rhodotorula spp;
2. dimorphic mushrooms, e.g. Blastomyces dermatitidis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides immitis;
3. molds, e.g. Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium.

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Also read: Candidiasis – Symptoms and Causes. What is the treatment of yeast infection?

Nystatin – indications for use

Nystatin is available in several variantswhen it comes to the form of the drug and how to use it. What ailments can nystatin help with? The leaflet of this medicine (in its various versions) lists the following indications for use:

1. nystatin – suspension (granules for the preparation of a suspension): mycoses of the digestive system, including oral mycosis (e.g. aphthous stomatitis and thrush of the tongue, labia or gingival mucosa) and esophageal mycosis (in the latter case also tablets);
2. nystatin – vaginal tablets: for intimate infections, e.g. vaginal and vulvar mycosis;
3. nystatin – gastro-resistant tablets: prophylaxis of fungal infections in patients receiving long-term treatment with antibiotics or corticosteroids.

In addition to Nystatin, a dietary supplement with flaxseed oil, which is available on the Medonet Market, can be useful in fungal infections.

Nystatin – how to apply?

In order for nystatin to work properly and bring the desired effects, it must be used properly. Treatment with nystatin however, it does not always look the same – it all depends on the ailment we are struggling with.

Nystatin for aphthae and thrush

Nystatin for oral thrush, aphthae and other conditions associated with oral mycosis is used both orally and topically – usually in the form of a suspension. To prepare it, pour an appropriate amount of cool, boiled water (approx. 24 ml – the level is indicated by a clear line) into a plastic package containing granulated nystatin. The resulting suspension can be used for 7 consecutive days. Before each use, however, the bottle should be shaken thoroughly.

Remember to keep the nystatin suspension in your mouth for as long as possible before swallowing. The longer the drug is in direct contact with the infection, the faster and more effectively it will work. Given nystatin for children in this way, however, it can present some challenges. Nystatin in suspension so it can also be applied locally with a special small brush.

Nystatin for intimate infections

However, it is used in the treatment of vaginal mycosis another variant of the drug nystatin – vaginal tablets. Usually, a specialist doctor recommends their application 1-2 daily, usually for about 2 weeks. It is worth knowing that the effectiveness of nystatin supports its regular use at a fixed time.

Also read: Over-the-counter medications for vaginal mycosis – creams, pessaries

Nystatin – dosage

As this drug cannot be obtained without a prescription, your doctor will specify the exact dose and frequency with which nystatin should be taken. However, the leaflet provides an illustrative dosage of nystatin in specific cases:

1. Nystatin for oral thrush, aphthas and mycoses: adults, children, infants – 100 IU 000 times a day (nystatin suspension). When prescribing nystatin for children, the doctor may also recommend brushing the mouth 4-2 times a day.
2. Nystatin for mycoses of the gastrointestinal tract: adults – 500 IU – 000 million IU every 1 hours (6 times a day; tablets or suspension); children and infants – 4 IU – 200 million IU daily in divided doses (only in the form of a suspension).
3. Nystatin in the prevention of mycosis in adults – 500 IU every 000 or 8 hours (12-2 times a day; tablets or suspension).

However, it should be remembered that the individual method of using nystatin in a patient is determined by the doctor – so you must follow his recommendations.

Nystatin – contraindications to use

Like the vast majority of drugs, nystatin cannot be used in all patients, even if there are indications for the administration of such a preparation. Contraindications to the use of nystatin are associated with hypersensitivity or allergy to nystatin or any of the excipients listed in this leaflet. In addition, special care should be taken when taking nystatin in patients with:

1. hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency;
2. sensitivity to benzoic acid and its derivatives;
3. kidney failure (although nystatin is not properly absorbed from the digestive system into the blood, in this case, with topical application, it may happen differently).

Nystatin should also not be used in the treatment of systemic and systemic mycoses.

Find out more: How to recognize systemic mycosis?

Nystatin during pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy and lactation, you cannot use any medical preparation without prior consultation with the attending physician. Therefore, before any treatment with nystatin during pregnancy, you should consult a specialist and discuss the potential risks and benefits of taking this medicine with them.

Nystatin – possible side effects

The leaflet attached to the nystatin drug also lists potential side effects that may occur during the use of the preparation. They can occur, but not always and not in every patient. Occurring rarely side effects of nystatin use have:

1. stomach and intestinal disorders: nausea, diarrhea and vomiting
2. disorders of the immune system: allergic reactions (rash, urticaria), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (the latter is very rare).

Nystatin – preparations available on the Polish market

There are relatively few preparations containing nystatin available in Polish pharmacies. If necessary, patients are prescribed one of the following drugs:

1. Nystatin Teva – granules for the preparation of an oral suspension;
2. Nystatin Pliva – enteric-coated tablets;
3. Nystatinum Nystatyna – suspension.

Nystatin is also sometimes included in prescription drugs to be prepared by a pharmacist.

Nystatin – reviews

Regarding treatment using the drug nystatin, the opinions of specialists and users seem rather positive. Nystatin is an agent that usually works quickly and effectively against fungal infections. Preparations with nystatin can be readily available in most pharmacies – however, it should be remembered that it is possible only with a prescription.

Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.