Nystatin
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Nystatin is a polyene antifungal antibiotic used to treat candidiasis (Candida infections) of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract, as well as cutaneous and vaginal candidal infections. When taken orally as a suspension or tablet it is essentially not absorbed from the gut, so it acts locally on fungi in contact with the mucosa rather than systemically. It is not effective against systemic or invasive fungal infections.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Nystatin is a polyene antifungal antibiotic used to treat candidiasis (Candida infections) of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract, as well as cutaneous and vaginal candidal infections. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Oral suspension 400,000 to 600,000 units four times daily (swish and swallow) for oral candidiasis; oral tablets 500,000 to 1,000,000 units three times daily for intestinal candidiasis. Topical preparations applied 2 to 3 times daily., though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 2 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush), intestinal candidiasis, cutaneous and mucocutaneous candidal infections. 2 sources indexed (2010–2020), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Nystatin binds preferentially to ergosterol, the principal sterol in the fungal cell membrane. This binding forms transmembrane pores or channels that disrupt membrane integrity, causing leakage of potassium and other intracellular components and ultimately fungal cell death. Because mammalian cell membranes contain cholesterol rather than ergosterol, nystatin is relatively selective for fungi; its low systemic absorption from oral and topical routes further limits host toxicity.2,1
Dosing & protocol.
Negligibly absorbed from the intact gastrointestinal tract; it acts topically on mucosal surfaces. For oral suspension, retain the dose in the mouth as long as possible before swallowing, and avoid eating or drinking immediately afterward to maximize mucosal contact time.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or gastrointestinal upset (more common at high oral doses)
- Bad or bitter taste, mouth irritation
- Local irritation, burning, or contact dermatitis with topical use
- Rare hypersensitivity reactions including rash, urticaria, and (very rarely) Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1Interventions for the prevention and treatment of oral candidiasisCochrane Oral Health Group · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2010
Topical and oral antifungals including nystatin are effective for treating and preventing oral candidiasis, though azoles may show higher efficacy in some immunocompromised populations.
Reference material
1- 2Nystatin (Mycostatin) Prescribing InformationU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA Label · 2020
Oral nystatin is not absorbed from intact gastrointestinal mucosa and exerts antifungal activity by binding sterols (chiefly ergosterol) in the fungal cell membrane.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Nystatin, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Nystatin?
Nystatin is a polyene antifungal antibiotic used to treat candidiasis (Candida infections) of the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract, as well as cutaneous and vaginal candidal infections. When taken orally as a suspension or tablet it is essentially not absorbed from the gut, so it acts locally on fungi in contact with the mucosa rather than systemically. It is not effective against systemic or invasive fungal infections.
What is Nystatin used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Nystatin include: Oropharyngeal candidiasis (oral thrush); Intestinal candidiasis; Cutaneous and mucocutaneous candidal infections; Vulvovaginal candidiasis; Prophylaxis of oral candidiasis in immunocompromised or denture-wearing patients. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Nystatin?
A typical adult dose of Nystatin is Oral suspension 400,000 to 600,000 units four times daily (swish and swallow) for oral candidiasis; oral tablets 500,000 to 1,000,000 units three times daily for intestinal candidiasis. Topical preparations applied 2 to 3 times daily.. The commonly recommended form is Oral suspension (swish and hold in mouth before swallowing) for thrush; oral tablets for intestinal infection; cream, ointment, or powder for skin. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Nystatin?
Reported side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or gastrointestinal upset (more common at high oral doses), bad or bitter taste, mouth irritation, local irritation, burning, or contact dermatitis with topical use, rare hypersensitivity reactions including rash, urticaria, and (very rarely) stevens-johnson syndrome. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Nystatin?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Nystatin in NutriStack.
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