Nystatin Oral Suspension

Nystatin Oral Suspension

Nystatin Oral Suspension is an antifungal liquid used for fungal infections of the mouth and throat, commonly called oral thrush. It is held in the mouth before swallowing so it coats the affected surfaces. It is a medicine that requires a clinician to assess whether it is suitable for you.

How it works

Nystatin binds to a component of the fungal cell membrane, making the membrane leak so the Candida yeast cannot survive. It is barely absorbed from the gut, which is both its limitation and its advantage: it acts where it touches rather than throughout the body, so it is well suited to an infection on the surfaces of the mouth and throat and carries little systemic effect.

How to use it

Shake the bottle and measure the dose with the device supplied. Hold the liquid in the mouth and move it around the affected areas for as long as you can before swallowing, since contact time is what makes it work. Take it after food rather than before, and continue for the full period directed, usually including a few days after the symptoms have cleared. If you wear dentures, clean and soak them daily, as untreated dentures reinfect the mouth.

Who it is for

It is for adults, children and infants as directed, where a clinician has confirmed it is appropriate. Oral thrush is more common in babies, denture wearers, people using a steroid inhaler, those on antibiotics and anyone with a weakened immune system or diabetes.

Safety and when to get advice

Nausea and an upset stomach are occasionally reported. See a clinician if there is no improvement after the course, if swallowing is painful or difficult, if the infection keeps returning, or if you have a weakened immune system, since recurrent oral thrush can point to an underlying issue worth investigating. If you use a steroid inhaler, rinsing your mouth after each dose helps prevent it coming back. Our UK pharmacy team can answer questions about this product before you buy.

Common questions

Why hold it in my mouth?
Nystatin works on contact, so the longer it stays on the affected surfaces the better.

Before or after food?
After food, so it is not washed away immediately.

Why does it keep coming back?
Common reasons include dentures, steroid inhalers and antibiotics. A clinician can help identify the cause.

Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with the pack before use.