Nystatin

Nystatin

Common brand names: Mycostatin, Nilstat.

Dental uses: Nystatin is an antifungal drug used to treat Candida albicans infections in the mouth, including moniliasis, thrush and denture stomatitis.

Dosages for dental purposes: Usual dose is 2 to 3 milliliters (½ teaspoon) of a suspension containing 100,000 units per milliliter of nystatin placed in each side of the mouth, swished, and held for at least five minutes before swallowing. This regimen is repeated every six hours for at least 10 days. Alternatively, one or two lozenges known as troches or pastilles containing 200,000 units of nystatin each may be allowed to slowly dissolve in the mouth four or five times per day for up to two weeks.

For fungal infections on the oral tissues under dentures, nystatin ointment (100,000 units per gram) can be applied to the tissue surface of the denture (and placed back in the mouth) every six hours for at least 10 days.

Concerns and possible side effects: The major patient complaint about nystatin is its bitter, foul taste. Occasionally nystatin produces nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.