Nystatin
Description
Nystatin is an antifungal medicine. It is mainly used in treating fungal infections of the skin, mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract. It works by stopping the growth of fungus. It is effective only for the treatment of infections caused by fungus and not viruses or bacteria.
Nystatin has some common side effects that may include skin irritation, mouth irritation, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. These side effects usually subside with time. However, consult your doctor for further assistance if they persist or worsen.
Nystatin should be used as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more than the recommended dose. Take it every day at the same time to maintain a consistent level of this medicine in your blood. Take this medicine for the recommended duration. Continue using this medicine for the prescribed duration to avoid a flare-up of your symptoms.
Nystatin is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor about all your other health problems and ongoing medications. Frequent monitoring, dose adjustment, or replacement with suitable alternatives will be done by your doctor based on your clinical condition. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nystatin
- Itching at application site
- Skin irritation
- Burning or irritation
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Skin rash
Uses of Nystatin
What is it prescribed for?
- Fungal infections
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThrough the oral route, the effect of Nystatin can be observed within 24 to 72 hours. The topical form usually takes two days to show its effectiveness.
- Duration of effectThe time for which Nystatin remains effective in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Nystatin.
- Usage in pregnancy?Nystatin should only be applied during pregnancy after consulting your doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Nystatin should only be applied during breastfeeding after consulting your doctor before using this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking Nystatin if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any worsening of symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Nystatin should only be applied during pregnancy after consulting your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Nystatin should only be applied during breastfeeding after consulting your doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings
Breathing difficulty
Nystatin should be taken with caution if you have any breathing difficulty. Frequent monitoring, dose adjustment, or replacement with suitable alternatives will be done by your doctor based on your clinical condition.
Rapid heart rate
Nystatin should be taken with caution as it may cause rapid heart rate. Frequent monitoring, dose adjustment, or replacement with suitable alternatives will be done by your doctor based on your clinical condition.
Treatment course
Complete the duration of treatment recommended by your doctor to avoid a flare-up of your symptoms.
Missed Dose
Do not miss the dose of Nystatin. In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Nystatin. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Follow all the instructions advised by your doctor while taking Nystatin. Take nystatin with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Take this medicine at around the same time daily.
Topical forms: Use this medicine by following all the instructions advised by your doctor. Never use more than the prescribed dose. As it is an external preparation, do not ingest it into the mouth or apply it to the nose, eyes or ears.
Vaginal form: Apply a thin film of the medicine to the affected area as instructed by your doctor. Follow all the usage instructions mentioned on the label or the package insert. Do not apply in larger or smaller quantities than recommended.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Nystatin works by stopping the action of a certain vital component of the fungal cell wall. This results in the disruption of the fungus cell membrane and finally kills it.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Topical antifungals, Mouth and throat products, Polyenes
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Nystan Oral Suspension (Ready -Mixed ) - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 March 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - NYSTATIN- nystatin cream cream. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 March 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Nystatin: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 19 March 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Nystatin. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 March 2021].
(no date) NHS choices. NHS. Available at: (Accessed: April 12, 2023).
Information on this page was last updated on 12 Apr 2023
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.