Health Centres - Nystan oral suspension (nystatin)
How does it work?
Nystan oral suspension contain the active ingredient nystatin, which is an antifungal medicine used to treat infections with fungi and yeasts. (NB. Nystatin oral suspension is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)
Nystatin kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. It works by binding to a substance called ergosterol, which is an essential component of fungal cell membranes. This disrupts the cell membrane, causing holes to appear in it.
The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As nystatin causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi and treats the infection.
Nystatin oral suspension is used to treat infections of the mouth, throat and intestines with Candida species of fungi, in particular Candida albicans. These fungi are naturally present in the mouth and gut, but can sometimes increase in numbers if the conditions in these areas change, and this can cause infection. Infection with Candida albicans is known as thrush.
Nystatin is not absorbed into the bloodstream, which allows it to act directly in the area of infection.
When treating oral thrush, the suspension should taken after eating and held in the mouth for as long as possible before swallowing.
What is it used for?
- Preventing and treating Candida infections of the mouth (oral thrush), throat and intestines (candidosis).
- Preventing oral thrush in babies born to mothers with vaginal thrush.
Warning!
- This medicine should not be diluted.
- You should take this medicine at regular intervals and complete the prescribed course, unless otherwise directed, even if it seems your symptoms have cleared up. Treatment with this medicine should usually be continued for two days after the symptoms have cleared up.
- This product contains sugar and may not be suitable for people with intolerance to certain sugars.
- This medicine is not absorbed into the bloodstream and should not be used to treat fungal infections or disease involving the whole body (systemic mycoses).
Not to be used in
- Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- This medicine is not absorbed into the bloodstream in significant amounts from the mouth or gut. As a result, it is not expected to be harmful if used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, as with all medicines, it should be used with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
- Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.
Side effects
- Nausea
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Mouth irritation
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Rash
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