Medicine & USMLE

Nystatin

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Anti-Infective Drugs
  1. Vancomycin
  2. Metronidazole
  3. Penicillins
  4. Cephalosporins
  5. Macrolides
  6. Fluoroquinolones
  7. Aminoglycosides
  8. Tetracyclines
  9. Sulfonamides
  10. Rifampin
  11. Isoniazid
  12. Ethambutol
  13. Chloroquine
  14. Acyclovir
  15. Oseltamivir
  16. Azoles
  17. Nystatin
  18. Amphotericin B

Summary

Nystatin is an antifungal medication that is used to treat candidiasis, also called a yeast infection or thrush. Nystatin can be applied topically with an ointment, cream, or powder. It can also be administered orally with a lozenge or a swish-and-swallow solution.

Key Points

  • Nystatin
    • Mechanism
      • Antifungal
        • Binds to ergosterol to form holes in fungal membranes, causing fungal cell leakage and death
      • ***Note: ends in “-statin” but is NOT a statin (cholesterol) medication.
    • Clinical Use
      • Candida fungal infections
        • Oral/esophageal candidiasis
          • Administered as a liquid “swish and swallow” suspension that should be swished around the mouth and then swallowed
          • May also be administered as a lozenge that the patient should let dissolve completely in mouth
        • Topical yeast infections
          • Administered topically as an ointment, cream, or powder
    • Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
      • Skin irritation (topical application)
      • Nausea and vomiting (oral administration)
      • May interfere with oral contraceptives
        • Teach patient to use additional contraception