Nystatin for yeast infection is one of the most common health solutions an experienced health provider provides. This medication has been known to fight the infection found internally and externally.
What Is Nystatin?
Nystatin is the generic name for a medication identified as an antifungal. It usually requires a prescription and is given to treat the infection that primarily occurs in the mouth or skin.
For example, a good healthcare provider prescribes Nystatin for candidiasis, while Nystatin (oral) is given to people with a mouth infection. It can be purchased as a tablet, in liquid form, or in dry powder.
Nystatin topical use is available in creams applied directly on the affected skin.
Pharmacist Tips for Nystatin for Yeast Infection
Here’s what you should know when taking this medication:
- First, make sure you shake the bottle before every administration. This will help create a more consistent formula for liquid intake.
- Always use an oral syringe, dropper, or medicine spoon to measure the dosage of the medicine. A teaspoon or tablespoon is often inaccurate.
- Be sure to keep the medicine in your mouth for 30 seconds to completely absorb the drug’s effect. Then, use it like you would a mouthwash.
- Make sure you don’t eat or drink anything afterward. This will ensure that the medicine lingers in your mouth for at least 30 minutes.
What Are the Uses of Nystatin?
As an antifungal medicine, Nystatin is typically used to treat or prevent infections caused by yeast or fungus.
This can be anything from oral thrush, skin infections, intestinal lining, or even candida. Vaginal Nystatin is also available to treat vaginal yeast.
Why Is This Medication Prescribed?
Nystatin is a fairly strong antifungal that needs a doctor’s prescription for its use. This is because there are several possible ways to use and administer Nystatin for yeast infection.
Its improper use can easily worsen the antifungal infection instead of treating it. As a result, a prescription is necessary to guarantee its correct administration.
Who Can and Cannot Take Nystatin?
Nystatin is generally considered safe for the intake of adults, children, and even babies. However, there are instances when the medication is incompatible with the patient. Therefore, monitoring side effects during the first few days of intake is advised.
How and When To Take Nystatin for Yeast Infection
It would help if you only took Nystatin under a doctor’s prescription. Depending on the type of medicine you’re getting, here’s how to administer the product:
- Stomach infections are best managed with nystatin tablets. Three to four of the tablets are taken during the day.
- To prevent the condition, take Nystatin at most two times a day.
- For oral thrush, use the liquid form of Nystatin up to four times daily.
- Nystatin is best taken after a meal or before bed at night.
- Remember to take Nystatin continuously as prescribed by the doctor. Do NOT stop taking treatment because you feel like the infection is retreating. Much like antibiotics, antifungals are prescribed within a specific period to eliminate the infection. Stopping too early can cause the condition to reoccur. Remember that fungi is an infectious disease and needs to be stopped completely.
Side Effects of Nystatin
The effects of Nystatin will become apparent after two days of continued dosage. Common side effects of the medication include mouth irritation, vomiting, nausea, slow heart rate, hives, skin irritation, muscle pain, an upset stomach, and rashes.
If you experience allergic reactions to the medication, stop using it immediately!
How To Cope With the Side Effects of Nystatin
If you experience some side effects from using Nystatin, inform your primary care physician as soon as possible. Then, they should be able to prescribe a more compatible alternative.
Which Nystatin Is Used for Intestinal Fungus?
Nystatin is very effective in intestinal fungus and may be administered orally, unlike other medications.
Nystatin brand names that can help with intestinal yeast include Nystop, Nyata, and Nyamyc.
Nystatin for Pregnant Women With Yeast Infections
Compared to other antifungals, Nystatin is a safer option for pregnant women. In addition, studies show that it has an insignificant amount of systemic absorption, causing zero risk to the formation of the fetus.
Nystatin and Breastfeeding Women With Yeast Infections
Nystatin in its liquid form is generally safe to be taken by breastfeeding women. However, you should consult the use of other forms like tablets, powder, or cream with a doctor before intake.
Caution on How To Use Nystatin With Other Medications
There are no known drug interactions when Nystatin is used with other medications. However, you should still inform your primary physician if you take other medications alongside Nystatin.
Mixing Nystatin With Herbal Remedies for Yeast Infections
Using herbal remedies for yeast infections has been known to help with the healing process. However, if you use Nystatin alongside herbal remedies, please consult your doctor beforehand.
While there are no known interactions with Nystatin, the uniqueness of the herbal remedy could be a factor. Therefore, during use, ensure there’s no overlap in the administration.
For example, if you’re using liquid Nystatin, it might be better to use a topical herbal remedy.
What Should I Tell The Doctor Before I Take This Medicine?
Inform your physician if you have existing allergies before taking Nystatin. There are ingredients in the medicine that could trigger allergies in some individuals.
How To Use Nystatin Cream or Ointment
Clean the affected area first before applying the ointment. Then, spread it generously using a Q-tip or your clean finger, ensuring that Nystatin topical use covers the whole area completely covered.
Leave the cream for a few hours, ensuring it isn’t wiped off or smeared. Do this twice a day or as often as prescribed by the doctor.
Common Allergic Reactions to Nystatin
If this is your first time using Nystatin, apply the cream first on a small patch of skin on the inside of your wrist. Observe the skin for a few hours, and if you don’t notice any adverse reaction, you can proceed to apply it to the affected area.
Allergic reactions to watch out for include skin rashes, itching, hives, redness of the skin, peeling, blistering, or swelling of the face, tongue, or lips. Palpitations, a fast heartbeat, and difficulty breathing are common allergic reactions. If any of these appear after using Nystatin, remove the cream and visit your primary care physician ASAP.
What Should I Know About Keeping and Disposal of This Medication?
Nystatin is best stored at room temperature. Please keep it away from extreme heat or freezing temperatures. Note that the bathroom is NOT a good place to store this medicine because of the excess moisture.
For disposal, you must follow your city guidelines to prevent its consumption by pets or children. Do NOT flush any medication down the toilet. If Nystatin has been in storage for a long, check the expiration date before intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nystatin is a prescribed medication specifically for fungal infections. Its best use is for treating yeast infections in the skin area. However, the product’s formulations allow for its use on the vagina, intestine, and mouth.
The powder version of Nystatin must be sprinkled on the affected area at least two to three times a day. Make sure the area has been thoroughly cleaned and dried before sprinkling.
The powder is best used if you stay all day indoors and don’t have to worry about the powder being washed off from your skin.
Swish the product for at least 30 seconds in your mouth, making sure to use it as a mouthwash.
Make sure to complete the full course of Nystatin before seeking further help from the doctor. It’s also good to go back for a checkup in the middle of your Nystatin course so the doctor can properly evaluate the condition. They may prescribe a stronger antifungal if it is not working.
If neither of these products works, consult your doctor immediately. However, make sure to finish the prescribed course first before seeking additional help with the yeast infection.
Some yeast infections can be stubborn and need additional help, per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
No. It would help if you gave the medicine time to settle in your mouth.
There are no known negative interactions between Diflucan and Nystatin. However, always inform your primary physician if you plan to use two different medications at once.
It’s possible to use Nystatin for penile yeast infections.
It takes around one week to clear the infection using Nystatin as a treatment.
Yes. Nystatin suspension is primarily prescribed to treat yeast infections.
DO NOT use Nystatin cream in the vaginal area. There’s a specific Nystatin product made for vaginal application. Make sure to get this particular product if you plan to place it in sensitive areas.
Nystatin cream is best applied on any part of the skin where the fungal infection is present. Do NOT apply it to the eyes, mouth, vagina, or open sores or wounds.
