Also known as Nilstat®, PMS-nystatin® or Ratio-nystatin®
What is nystatin?
Nystatin prevents thrush, a type of infection caused by a fungus. Thrush can occur in the mouth and throat.
Thrush often looks like a white, possibly furry coating on your tongue or white spots on the inside of your mouth. It may also cause your voice to be hoarse. If not treated, thrush can spread to the esophagus (tube connecting your mouth to your stomach) and further into your body. The infection could also pass in to your blood.
What nystatin looks like
Nystatin only comes in a liquid. Here is a picture of one brand of nystatin.
How to take nystatin
- Take nystatin at the same time(s) every day, for example after meals and before going to bed.
- Shake the bottle well before you measure each dose.
- Swish nystatin around your mouth and then swallow the liquid.
- Do not eat or drink anything for 20 minutes after each dose.
- Try to brush your teeth 20 to 30 minutes after taking nystatin, as it contains sugar. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially before going to bed.
What to do if you miss a dose of nystatin
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose at the regular time.
- Never take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
- Call your transplant team if you have missed more than two doses or if you have trouble remembering to take nystatin.
What to do if you vomit a dose of nystatin
If you vomit a dose, wait until you feel better and repeat it.
You may not feel like eating or drinking when you are vomiting (even if it doesn’t happen around your medicine times). But you risk becoming dehydrated if you do not drink. Talk to your transplant team or family doctor if you are vomiting a lot.
What to do if you have diarrhea (watery stools)
Nystatin is designed to fight infection in your mouth and throat. It will still work even if you have diarrhea. Frequent diarrhea, however, can cause you to become dehydrated. This chart will help you decide if you need to contact your transplant team or family doctor for help with managing diarrhea.
Possible side effects of nystatin
Side effects of nystatin are rare, but they include:
- upset stomach
- vomiting (throwing up)
- diarrhea
- cavities (if you do not brush your teeth 20 to 30 minutes after each dose).
Taking nystatin with food and other medicines
Nystatin works locally in the mouth and throat area. As long as you wait 20 minutes before you take any other medicine or have anything to eat or drink, nystatin should work well.
How to store nystatin
- Keep nystatin out of reach of any small children.
- Keep it at room temperature.
- Store it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
- Never store it in the bathroom or near heat sources in the kitchen.
How the transplant team checks how well nystatin is working
The transplant team checks inside your mouth (and asks you to check too!) for any signs of thrush. The signs are:
- white spots on the inside of the cheeks
- white spots on the tongue
- a hoarse voice
- a sore throat
- pain when swallowing.
Other important tips
- Keep a list of all of your medicines in your wallet or purse so that you can show it to doctors, nurses and pharmacists when needed.
- Make sure that your family doctor and dentist know that you are taking nystatin before you have any treatments.
What to do if someone else takes your nystatin
Call your local poison information centre.
If you live in Ontario, call the Ontario Poison Centre. The calls are free.
- Call 416-813-5900 if you live in Toronto.
- Call 1-800-268-9017 if you live somewhere else in Ontario.
