Fungi are microorganisms from the Fungi kingdom that can cause various pathologies in the human body.
From simple mycoses to serious problems, when detecting a disease caused by a fungus, it is important to seek medical help and carry out the correct treatment.
For this type of illness, there are some medications that can be used and, among them, Nystatin.
Nystatin is the active ingredient in several antifungal drugs. Keep reading and learn more about the medicine!
Contents
What is Nystatin?
Nystatin is a substance with antifungal action, used as an active ingredient in some medications.
It is used to treat oral and vaginal candidiasis , infections of the digestive tract and, when associated with other substances, dermatoses and diaper rash.
Its route of administration can be oral, through suspension, or topical, in cream and ointment.
Regarding contraindications, the use of the drug is, in general, well tolerated by all age groups, including children undergoing prolonged therapy.
It is worth mentioning that Nystatin has no activity against bacteria, protozoa or viruses, only against fungi.
What is Nystatin in suspension and cream for?
Nystatin, both in suspension and in cream, is used to treat pathologies caused by fungi, mainly Candida Albicans , one of the types most associated with vaginal and oral candidiasis, and is also known as “thrush”.
In general, the form of administration varies according to the specificity of the problem. The main versions of Nystatin and its functions are:
Oral suspension (liquid)
The version in oral suspension is one in which the package can contain the ready-made product straight from the laboratory or just a vial with powder and instructions for preparation.
In this presentation, Nystatin is indicated for the treatment of fungi in the oral region , such as oral candidiasis, popularly called “thrush”.
In addition, it is used to treat fungi in the region of the digestive tract , such as pharynx, esophagus, stomach.
Vaginal cream
The gynecological cream is used to treat a fungal pathology in the female genital region called vaginal candidiasis or moniliasis.
This problem is caused by fungi of the genus Candida, the most common being Candida Albicans , and causes itching, swelling, redness, abnormal discharge and whitish lesions in the region.
Dermatological ointment / cream
Both the ointment and the dermatological cream are indicated for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin , such as diaper rash and dermatoses – a set of skin diseases with allergic manifestations.
They can be used to improve irritations in the genital region, buttocks, armpits, between the fingers and in other regions of the body that suffer friction.
In general, in these presentations, nystatin is accompanied by other substances such as zinc oxide, neomycin sulphate and gramicidine, which help to combat microorganisms.
Is nystatin for cold sore?
No . Nystatin is an antifungal substance, that is, it fights pathologies caused by fungi.
Although the causes of cold sore are not completely known, in general, its appearance is not caused by fungi.
Canker sores are small ulcers that can appear in any region of the mouth, such as gums, tongue and gingival mucous membranes.
They are lesions with a whitish or yellowish color, they can have different sizes and are usually painful.
In general, they usually disappear in a period between 1 to 2 weeks. If the discomfort is very great, some anesthetic drugs that speed up healing can be used.
What is the use of Nystatin ointment with zinc oxide?
The combination of the substance Nystatin together with zinc oxide in the form of an ointment, serves to treat skin problems. It is indicated for diaper rash in babies, usually caused by the use of diapers, and also for the relief of irritations in the genital region and other areas of the body that suffer friction.
Zinc oxide is a chemical compound that acts by inhibiting the growth of fungi. In addition, it has an astringent and antiseptic action, which promotes a soothing, healing and protective action on the skin.
Thus, together with Nystatin, the ointment acts by eliminating the fungus that causes the rash and promoting protective and healing action on the skin.
This, because, when applied, the medication creates a protective layer that reduces the friction between the dermis and the diapers. In addition, it helps to prevent skin contact with urine and feces.
Thus, it promotes the improvement of diaper rash and irritation caused by friction.
What does Nystatin do?
As soon as it begins to take effect in the body, Nystatin identifies the fungi that cause the pathologies and binds to the wall of your cells, causing their destruction.
This occurs because, when in contact with the infectious agent, the drug binds to steroids (chemical compounds) present in the cell wall of the fungi and causes the alteration of the permeability of this membrane.
At that moment, the substance present inside the fungus cell is overflowed, causing its destruction.
It is worth mentioning that Nystatin only has activity against fungi, not being effective in fighting bacteria, protozoa or viruses.
Can you use Nystatin on your face?
Nystatin ointment, as well as others existing for diaper rash, has the potential for hydration and healing. Therefore, some people use the medicine on their faces. In general, in addition to hydration, this use aims to lighten skin spots, such as melasma.
However, there are no indications for topical use on the face in the package insert. Nystatin is a drug with antifungal action and has no direct relationship with the removal of stains.
In addition, use without medical or pharmaceutical recommendation can cause side effects such as allergies.
Thus, it is worth avoiding this type of use and always consult your responsible dermatologist, who will indicate the best form of treatment for each clinical condition.
What milligram is available?
Nystatin is available in different presentations and in different milligrams.
In general, the milligramming of medications such as Nystatin are accounted for by the International Units (IU). In this case, the values are presented in IU / mL or IU / mg.
For cases of IU / mL, such as oral suspension for example, this means that for each mL of the liquid, there is a present value of Nystatin. Likewise, in the case of creams, for each mg there is a certain amount (IU) of nystatin.
In the version in oral suspension , the available milligram is:
- 100,000 IU / mL – 100,000 units of Nystatin per mL of the oral suspension.
For Nistatin in vaginal cream , the values are:
- 25,000 IU / g – 25,000 units of Nystatin per g of cream;
- 20,000 IU / g – 20,000 units of Nystatin per g of cream.
In the case of the medicine version ointment / dermatological cream , the milligram is usually:
- 100,000 IU / g – 100,000 units of Nystatin per gram of cream.
Dosage: how to use according to the package leaflet?
The dosage may vary according to the presentation used and the condition to be treated.
It is worth remembering that the values may vary according to the clinical condition of each patient. Therefore, it is essential to follow medical guidelines.
In addition, regardless of the form of presentation, the use of medication must be maintained for at least 48 hours after the disappearance of symptoms, in order to avoid reinfection.
The use of each version is:
Oral suspension
For oral administration, according to the package insert, some steps must be followed:
- Sanitize your mouth properly;
- Add the medicine to your mouth and rinse it with the liquid for several minutes (maximum time allowed);
- Then swallow.
For breastfeeding babies and young children, it is recommended to add half the dose used on each side of the mouth.
The indicated doses are:
- Infants: 1mL or 2mL, 4 times a day;
- Children and adults: 1mL to 6mL, 4 times a day.
The value of the doses must be indicated by the responsible physician, taking into account the characteristics of the patient.
Vaginal cream
The gynecological cream is applied intravaginally, so the packaging is accompanied by some applicators.
According to the package insert, the indicated dosage is:
- Daily application of 1 full applicator per day of the drug, for 14 days.
The guidelines for preparing the applicator , on the other hand , are:
- Remove the cap and pierce the tube seal;
- Fit the applicator to the nozzle of the tube;
- With one hand, hold the tube and, with the other, pull the plunger applicator until the end;
- Tighten the tube gently so that the cream enters and fills the empty space in the applicator;
- Unclip the applicator and plug the tube.
To perform the administration , the steps are:
- Lie on your back and insert the applicator into the vagina gently, without causing discomfort;
- Push the plunger all the way down, depositing all the cream in the vagina.
Do not reuse applicators. For a new application, a new applicator must be used.
Dermatological ointment / cream
The version in ointment or dermatological cream is for topical use and should be used directly in the affected area.
For diaper rash in babies, the package insert indicates to apply the drug throughout the affected region, after bathing and at each diaper change.
It is important that the baby’s skin is sanitized and dried properly before application.
For other areas of the body, it is recommended to apply 2 times or more a day, according to medical advice.
What are the side effects of Nystatin according to the package leaflet?
Like other medications, nystatin can cause side effects in some people.
Among the main ones are:
- Skin irritation;
- Contact dermatitis;
- Redness in the skin (rash);
- Itching (hives);
- Swelling in the deeper layers of the skin (angioedema);
- Diarrhea;
- Gastrointestinal disorders;
- Enjoo;
- Vomiting.
Rarely, there may be cases of:
- Skin rashes;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (formation of edema with bubbles).
It is worth mentioning that each organism reacts differently to the medication. That way, not all people will necessarily experience side effects.
Does Nystatin Need A Prescription?
-Yeah . To obtain medicines that contain Nystatin as an active ingredient, it is necessary to present a medical prescription.
The required recipe is plain white, that is, without revenue retention.
Price: what is the average value of Nystatin?
The price of Nystatin may vary according to the geographic region, establishment of purchase, presentation and brand indicated on the prescription.
To compare prices and make the purchase, it is possible to use the website of Consulta Remédios , which indicates the best values in different pharmacies in each region.
The approximate prices are:
Oral suspension
Some of the available brands and their respective prices * for the oral suspension version are:
- Canditrat Oral Suspension – R $ 7.70;
- Micostalab Drops – 11.14;
- Nistamax — R$14,39
- Nistatina Nova Química – R $ 23.39.
* Prices consulted in May 2020. Prices may change.
Gynecological cream
The options of gynecological cream with Nystatin and their prices * are from:
- Nystatin Neo Chemical – R $ 7.50;
- Teist Nystatin Gynecological Cream – R $ 9.50;
- Neo Mistatin — R$11,81;
- Nystrazine – R $ 10.64.
* Prices consulted in May 2020. Prices may change.
Dermatological ointment / cream
Among the alternatives of Nystatin ointment or dermatological cream and their prices * are:
- Nystatin + Óxido de Zinco Germed Pharma – R $ 9.34;
- Oxyderm – R $ 12.33;
- Triamcinolone Acetonide + Neomycin Sulfate + Gramicidin + Nystatin EMS – R $ 18.98;
- Dermodex Treatment – R $ 19.90;
- Oncileg — R$21,84.
* Prices consulted in May 2020. Prices may change.
When some part of the body is not well, in general, the body has some symptoms.
It is important to know how to identify these signs and seek the correct therapeutic resource to restore the patient’s health.
In the case of some fungal infections, there is Nystatin, a medicine that helps to combat this type of pathology.
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