MYCOMEX

Nystatin is a polyene antifungal drug that has broad-spectrum fungicidal and fungistatic activity against a number of yeasts and fungi, most notably Candida species.

It is one of the most effective antifungal agents synthesized by bacteria, in this case a strain of Streptomyces noursei, 13 and is closely related to amphotericin B, differing only slightly in structure.

Nystatin has a greater antifungal activity than amphotericin B.

• parenterally administered nystatin, however, is associated with significant toxicity and is not available in a formulation appropriate for systemic use.

As it undergoes very little absorption following oral or topical administration, nystatin's efficacy is limited to the treatment/prevention of cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and gastrointestinal fungal infections. 8, 9.

Nystatin is available in oral formulations for the treatment and/or prevention of oral candidiasis (a.k.a. thrush), intestinal candidiasis, and anal candidiasis. 8, 9 It is indicated topically for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis and other cutaneous candida infections.

A containing nystatin alongside neomycin, gramicidin D, and triamcinolone (Viaderm K.C.®) is indicated in the treatment of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses caused by bacterial or candidal infections and for pruritus ani/vulvae.

It is also available in combination with metronidazole for the treatment of mixed infections due to Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans.

Nystatin is also sometimes used off-label for the prevention of invasive candidiasis in low birth weight neonates, 4 though it is generally reserved as a second-line option after fluconazole.

Nystatin is an antifungal that is both fungistatic and fungicidal in vitro against a wide variety of yeasts and yeast-like fungi.

It exerts its antifungal effects via disruption of the fungal cell membrane.

Resistance to nystatin is minimal in

Candida albicans, but tends to develop in other species of Candida.

Nystatin carries no significant activity against bacteria, protozoa, or viruses.

It carries significant systemic toxicity and is currently unavailable in a formula appropriate for systemic use.

• its efficacy is currently restricted, therefore, to topical, oral, and gastrointestinal infections.

Systemic absorption of nystatin is minimal following oral administration, 8 and no detectable plasma concentrations are attained following topical or vaginal administration.

Nystatin is not absorbed into the systemic circulation and thus does not undergo distribution.

Because nystatin undergoes little-to-no systemic absorption it is not metabolized to any appreciable extent.

The majority of

Oral administered nystatin is eliminated unchanged in the feces.

Improve decision support & research outcomes With structured adverse effects data, including: blackbox warnings, adverse reactions, warning & precautions, & incidence rates.

View sample adverse effects data in our new Data Library! See the data Improve decision support & research outcomes with our structured adverse effects data.

The oral

LD in rats is 10 g/kg.

There have been no reports of serious toxic effects following overdosage of nystatin.

• doses in excess of five million units daily have resulted in nausea and gastrointestinal upset with no other associated effects.