Nystan (Nystatin)

What Is Nystatin Oral Suspension?

Nystatin oral suspension is an antifungal medicine which is used to treat oral thrush, a condition which is caused by an exponential growth of a natural fungus known as Candida in the mouth.

The symptoms of oral thrush include:

• A bad taste in the mouth
• Cracks at the corners of the mouth
• Difficulty eating or drinking
• Mild bleeding when the lumps are scraped off
• Pain or burning sensation in the mouth
• White bumps on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums or tonsils

If you notice any of the above symptoms for the first time, you should speak to a doctor. Not only can a doctor prescribe a suitable treatment for you, such as Nystatin, but they can also assess the cause of your condition and advise steps on how to reduce your risk of developing oral thrush in the future.

Nystatin is available under the brand Nystan, marketed by Vygoris, or as a more affordable generic. Both the generic and branded variants of Nystatin are available to buy from Prescription Doctor's online pharmacy.

With Prescription Doctor's convenient online pharmacy, you can get a prescription for Nystatin oral suspension without going to your doctors. Simply fill out our online consultation form for one of our doctors to review. If your order is approved before 3pm on weekdays, our UK pharmacy can dispatch your item the same day for a next-day delivery.

What causes oral thrush?

There are many risk factors that could cause someone to be more susceptible to oral thrush, including:

• Diabetes
• HIV
• Taking antibiotics
• Taking corticosteroids (such as preventer inhalers)
• Wearing dentures
• Smoking
• Having a dry mouth from a medical condition or treatment

Your doctor or dentist can diagnose oral thrush based on the visual symptoms, sometimes referred to as the clinical image.

In some cases, a sample of the spores may be taken and examined under a microscope. Your doctor may recommend a blood test to determine if there may be an underlying medical condition which may put you at a higher risk of developing oral thrush.

Speak to your doctor if you keep getting thrush. You can discuss ways to prevent thrush from developing if you are at an increased risk of getting it.

Following our quick and simple medical questionnaire, our doctors can issue a prescription for Nystatin that our UK registered pharmacy can fulfil.

When you buy Nystatin oral solution from our online private prescription service, our pharmacy team dispatch your item in discreet, plain packaging to ensure the strictest confidence. We offer a next-day delivery service to ensure you get your oral thrush treatment quickly.

---

How Does Nystatin Oral Suspension Work?

Nystatin works by weakening the cell walls of the fungus, allowing the contents of the cell to spill out, thus killing the cell and clearing the infection.

It does this by attaching to a compound called ergosterol, which the cells need to maintain their cell membrane. This causes the cell wall to become weak and lose its structural integrity.

While you may notice an improvement in your symptoms within a day or two of taking Nystatin, it is important to continue to take Nystatin for the full period prescribed by your doctor in order to eradicate your infection.

Similarly to antibiotics, stopping treatment with Nystatin early can cause the infection to come back. Therefore, you must complete your course of antifungal medication, as prescribed by a doctor.

---

How Do I Take Nystatin Oral Suspension?

You should take Nystatin oral suspension as prescribed by your doctor.

The recommended dose for adults is 1ml of suspension dropped into the mouth four times a day. You should take Nystatin after each meal and before you go to bed.

To take Nystatin oral suspension:

If you have dentures, remove them before using Nystatin.

1. Clean your teeth or dentures. Your mouth should be clean before using Nystatin.
2. Using the provided measuring pipette, measure 1ml of Nystatin solution by squeezing the bulb at the top.
3. Squirt the medicine into your mouth and swill it around your mouth for approximately 3 minutes.
4. Swallow the medicine. Do not spit Nystatin out.

Wait 20 minutes after using Nystatin before eating or drinking.

Continue to use Nystatin oral suspension for 2 days after your symptoms have subsided.

What should I do if I take more Nystatin than I should?

Using more of the medicine is unlikely to harm you because very little of the medicine is absorbed by your body.

However, using more Nystatin can increase your risk of experiencing side effects such as nausea and stomach ache.

If you are at all concerned about using more of the suspension than intended, do not hesitate to contact your doctor or a pharmacist.

What should I do if I forget to take Nystatin oral suspension when I should?

If you forget to take Nystatin oral suspension when you should, take it as soon as you remember and continue to use your medicine as you normally would.

Do not use more of the medicine to make up for the forgotten dose, as this can increase your risk of experiencing side effects.

---

Nystatin Side Effects And Cautions

Before you start using Nystatin oral solution, you must read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine.

You can view the patient information for Nystan oral solution online.

If you have any concerns about any of the information found within the patient information leaflet, discuss them with your doctor or a pharmacist.

Side effects

All medicines carry the risk of causing side effects, though not everybody gets them. Understanding the risks associated with Nystatin and being vigilant of any changes throughout your course of treatment is vital to your care.

Side effects of Nystatin oral suspension include:

• Bloating
• Diarrhoea
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of Nystatin oral suspension can be found within the patient information leaflet enclosed with your medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor before taking Nystatin oral suspension.

The effects of Nystatin during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not known. Your doctor will advise you whether it is safe for you to take Nystatin.

Allergic reaction

Do not take Nystatin if you have had a previous allergic reaction to Nystatin, similar medicine, or if you are allergic to any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Nystatin oral solution contains sucrose to sweeten it. Speak to your doctor before using Nystatin oral suspension if you are sensitive to some sugars.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using Nystatin if:

• you are breastfeeding
• you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or intend on becoming pregnant
• you are taking any other medicines or health supplements
• you have a fungal infection in the lungs or skin (systemic mycoses)

Other safety information

Always read the enclosed patient information leaflet before you start taking Nystatin oral solution.

Inform our doctor of all medications you are currently taking, including medicines bought over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor. Please also include any herbal medicines or health supplements, such as St John's Wort, which might impact your treatment.

Do not take Nystatin oral suspension past the expiry date printed on the packaging. The date refers to the last day of the indicated month.

Never throw away Nystatin via household or water waste. Take unwanted or expired medication to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it on your behalf.

Always store Nystatin out of sight and reach from children and pets.

Never share your Nystatin with anybody else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms as you.

---

Frequently Asked Questions About Nystatin

Will Nystatin affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

Using Nystatin oral suspension for oral thrush should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Can I drink alcohol while using Nystatin oral suspension?

Alcohol should be avoided while taking Nystatin oral suspension and for at least one day after taking your final dose.

What does Nystan taste like?

Nystan, a brand of Nystatin, contains a flavouring which some people describe as cherry and mint with a bitter after-taste.

The medicine also contains sucrose for sweetening.

If you are allergic to some sugars, speak to your doctor before using Nystan.

What should I do if I accidentally spit out Nystatin oral suspension?

Spitting out Nystatin oral suspension should not have impact the effectiveness of the medicine. As long as you swish the medicine around your mouth for a period, the mechanism of the medicine will behave the same as if you swallowed it.

Do not use more Nystatin oral suspension if you accidentally spit the medicine out.

---

Sources