Nystatin is an antimycotic polyene antibiotic obtained from Streptomyces noursei. Its structural formula:
Nystatin Tablets are provided for oral administration as coated tablets containing 500,000 units nystatin.
Inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, carnauba wax, corn starch, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, stearic acid, and titanium dioxide.
Gastrointestinal absorption of nystatin is insignificant. Most orally administered nystatin is passed unchanged in the stool. In patients with renal insufficiency receiving oral therapy with conventional dosage forms, significant plasma concentrations of nystatin may occasionally occur.
Nystatin is both fungistatic and fungicidal in vitro against a wide variety of yeasts and yeast-like fungi. Candida albicans demonstrates no significant resistance to nystatin in vitro on repeated subculture in increasing levels of nystatin; other Candida species become quite resistant. Generally, resistance does not develop in vivo. Nystatin acts by binding to sterols in the cell membrane of susceptible Candida species with a resultant change in membrane permeability allowing leakage of intracellular components. Nystatin exhibits no appreciable activity against bacteria, protozoa, or viruses.
Nystatin Tablets are intended for the treatment of non-esophageal mucus membrane gastrointestinal candidiasis.
Nystatin Tablets are contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of their components.
This medication is not to be used for the treatment of systemic mycoses. Discontinue treatment if sensitization or irritation is reported during use.
No long-term animal studies have been performed to evaluate carcinogenic potential. There also have been no studies to determine mutagenicity or whether this medication affects fertility in males or females.
Category C
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with nystatin. It is also not known whether nystatin can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Nystatin should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
It is not known whether nystatin is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when nystatin is administered to a nursing woman.
Nystatin is well tolerated even with prolonged therapy. Oral irritation and sensitization have been reported. (See PRECAUTIONS: General.)
Diarrhea (including one case of bloody diarrhea), nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal upset/disturbances.