Nystatin
Brands (AU): Mycostatin Oral Drops, Nilstat, Pharmacy Action Nystatin Oral Drops, Trust Nystatin Oral Drops
Also known as: Candistatin, Mycostatin, MYCOSTATIN, Nyaderm, Nyamyc, Nystan, Nystat-Rx, Nystop…
Item code, max quantity & repeats below. Open the prescriber to generate a printable script — you write the directions.
AU-authoritative guidance for dental use, from Therapeutic Guidelines: Oral and Dental (accessed 2026-06-24, licensed). This leads the record; the reference sections below are US/UK-sourced and superseded for AU practice where they differ.
Oral candidiasis — topical polyene
Topical polyene active against Candida; not absorbed through the mucosa → no systemic effects or drug interactions. Key dental caveat: nystatin suspension is ~50% sucrose → may promote plaque and dental caries with prolonged use. Confirm the current oral-candidiasis regimen (TG Oral candidiasis topic / AMH) before prescribing.
Dental-specific drug data from MIMS Drugs4dent® (MIMS Australia × University of Melbourne). View the full MIMS entry ↗
- Drug class
- Topical oropharyngeal medication (polyene antifungal)
- Indications
- oral / oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush, moniliasis); topical antifungal
- Dental procedural considerations
- No known dental procedural considerations
- Oral adverse effects
- Increased caries risk — MIMS-confirmed. This validates the TG note: nystatin oral suspension has a high sucrose content (~50%) which may promote plaque accumulation and dental caries (a key dental caveat for prolonged oral nystatin).
none listed.
Precautions
not for systemic mycoses; lack of treatment response (repeat microbiological studies — KOH smear, culture); persistent/worsening signs after >14 days treatment (re-evaluate, consider alternate therapy); immunocompromised; high dose; pregnancy; lactation.
Drug & allergy interactions
Interactions table not directly captured (License Exceeded modal appeared mid-capture). However: nystatin is a topical polyene, poorly absorbed orally and not absorbed through the mucosa → no systemic effects or drug interactions (TG Practical-by-class). The sibling polyene amphotericin B returned "No drug-drug interaction records found" in MIMS — nystatin is expected to be identical (none / not clinically significant).
Official AU regulatory prescribing information from the TGA (NILSTAT). General — not dental-specific; the guidance above takes precedence for dental decisions. View the official PI on TGA ↗
DosingPI §4.2
Usual Adult and Adolescent Dosage: 500,000 to 1 million units (1 to 2 tablets or capsules) 3 times daily. Note that use is not recommended in infants and children up to 5 years of age, as this group may not be capable of using the tablet safely. Treatment should generally be continued for at least 48 hours after clinical cure to prevent a
ContraindicationsPI §4.3
Hypersensitivity to the drug. Nystatin is contraindicated in individuals who are hypersensitive to the drug or any ingredient in the respective formulation. If irritation or sensitization occurs, nystatin should be discontinued. NILSTAT ORAL- PI 5 Mar
Precautions & warningsPI §4.4
Identified precautions NYSTATIN ORAL TABLETS OR CAPSULES should not be used in the treatment of systemic fungal infections since it is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract Use in the elderly No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of oral nystatin in geriatric patients. Paediatric use NYSTATIN ORAL TABLETS OR CAPSULES should not be used in infants and children up to 5 years of age. (See 4.2 DOSE AND METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION). Effects on laboratory tests No data
InteractionsPI §4.5
No data
Adverse effectsPI §4.8
Nystatin is nontoxic and nonsensitising and well tolerated by all age groups, even with prolonged administration. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea have occasionally been reported after oral use of nystatin. Oral irritation or sensitisation may occur. Rashes, NILSTAT ORAL- PI 5 Mar 25 including urticaria, have occurred and Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been reported rarely. Effects on the skin: Generalised pustular eruptions were reported in 3 patients following oral nystatin1. Subsequent sensitivity testing revealed delayed (type IV) hypersensitivity to nystatin. Reporting suspected adverse effects Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions
OverdosePI §4.9
Since the absorption of nystatin from the gastro-intestinal tract is negligible, overdosage or accidental ingestion causes no systemic toxicity. For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26
Pregnancy & lactationPI §4.6
Effects on fertility Studies have not been conducted to date, to determine whether nystatin affects fertility in males or females. Use in pregnancy – Pregnancy Category A Teratogenic Effects: Animal reproduction studies have not been performed with nystatin, and it is also not known whether the drug can cause foetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Nystatin should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed. Use in lactation. Since it is not known whether nystatin is distributed into human milk, the drug should be used with caution in nursing
Faded = flagged by a single source only (lower confidence).
US/UK reference sections (Lexicomp, Mosby's) — superseded by the Australian guidance and Product Information above. Retained for audit; click to expand.
Effects on dental treatment
Used for susceptible cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and oral cavity Candida infections; no significant dental complications reported. (lexicomp-2260 p.1238)
LA / vasoconstrictor precautions
No information available to require special precautions. (lexicomp-2260 p.1238)
Drug interactions of concern in dentistry
May decrease the therapeutic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii. (lexicomp-2260 p.1238)
Oral adverse effects
diarrhea; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting (lexicomp-2260 p.1238)
Dental considerations
General: • Determine why the patient is taking the drug. • Broad-spectrum antibiotic may contribute to oral Candida infections. Teach Patient/Family to: • Complete entire course of medication. • Not use commercial mouthwashes for mouth infection unless prescribed by dentist. • Soak full or partial dentures in a suitable antifungal solution nightly. • Prevent reinoculation of Candida infection by disposing of toothbrush or other contaminated oral hygiene devices used during period of infection. (mosbys-2015 p.997)
Dental dosing
Oral candidiasis: premature infants 100,000 units 4 times daily painted into oral recesses; infants 200,000 units 4 times daily or 100,000 units to each side of mouth 4 times daily; children/adults 400,000-600,000 units 4 times daily, swish and retain several minutes before swallowing. (lexicomp-2260 p.1238)
Precautions / contraindications
Hypersensitivity (mosbys-2015 p.997)
Serious reactions
• High dosages of oral form may produce nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and GI distress. (mosbys-2015 p.997)