Nystop, Nystatin Cream, Nyamyc, Klayesta

Written by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCP
Updated on June 28, 2023

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved nystatin to treat certain fungal infections caused by the yeast Candida. Specifically, it’s used in adults and children to treat:

• skin infections
• infections in the mouth, stomach, or intestines

These approved uses differ based on the form of nystatin your doctor prescribes.

This article describes nystatin’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of nystatin.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as nystatin for certain conditions. Approved uses for nystatin are described below. These uses differ based on the form of nystatin prescribed.

Use for certain fungal skin infections

Doctors may prescribe nystatin topical* cream, ointment, or powder for treating fungal skin infections caused by the yeast Candida. This type of skin infection is also called candidiasis. The drug’s used for this purpose in adults and children of any age. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With candidiasis, you may have an itchy skin rash. In some cases, the infected area may also become cracked and sore.This condition commonly affects warm, moist areas of the body, such as:

• corners of your mouth
• armpits
• area underneath your breasts
• creases between your fingers and toes
• nails or around your nail edges

Children may also develop candidiasis in the areas that diapers cover. This is commonly known as diaper rash.

Nystatin may be prescribed together with triamcinolone cream or ointment for candidiasis of the skin.

Doctors may not prescribe topical forms of nystatin in certain situations, such as for treating infections that affect your eyes, mouth, throat, vagina, or entire body.

* Topical means applied to the skin.

Use for other fungal infections, including oral thrush

Doctors may prescribe other forms of nystatin to treat fungal infections caused by Candida in different places. Depending on where the infection is on your body, the drug may be used for this purpose in adults and children. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Based on your condition, your doctor may prescribe one of the following nystatin forms:

• oral liquid suspension: Nystatin oral liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture) treats fungal infections in the mouth. This is also called oral thrush.
• oral tablet: Nystatin oral tablet treats fungal infections in the stomach or intestines. (The manufacturer doesn’t say whether this form may be prescribed to children.)

You always have a small amount of the yeast Candida in your mouth. Oral thrush happens when too much of this yeast grows. This condition’s common in babies and toddlers, but it can also affect older children and adults.

You may be more likely to develop oral thrush if you’re taking certain medications (such as antibiotics), receiving chemotherapy, or have certain conditions (such as HIV or diabetes).

With oral thrush, you may have any of the following symptoms:

• white or yellow patches inside your cheeks or on your lips, gums, tongue, or tonsils
• cracked, dry skin at the corners of your mouth
• burning or painful sensation in your mouth
• trouble swallowing
• redness inside your mouth

Nystatin oral liquid suspension may be prescribed together with lidocaine and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) oral solutions to treat oral thrush.

Doctors may prescribe nystatin oral tablet for treating fungal infections in the stomach or intestines caused by Candida. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment. The manufacturer doesn’t say whether nystatin tablets may be prescribed to children.

With fungal infections of the stomach or intestines, you may have gas or crave sweet foods.

Doctors may not prescribe nystatin oral liquid suspension or nystatin oral tablet in certain situations, such as for treating infections that affect the entire body.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about nystatin.

Does nystatin come as a mouthwash or vaginal tablets?

No, nystatin does not come as a mouthwash or vaginal tablets. It used to be available as vaginal tablets, but that form has been discontinued.

Although nystatin does not come as a mouthwash, it’s often an ingredient in mouthwashes for treating oral thrush.

If you have questions about nystatin’s forms or other products containing the drug, talk with your doctor.

Is nystatin available over the counter?

No, nystatin is not available over the counter (OTC). You need a prescription from your doctor or another healthcare professional to get nystatin.

Other antifungals are available as OTC medications. However, they’re typically used to treat certain types of fungal infections that nystatin doesn’t treat.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about using OTC medications to treat a fungal infection.

What brand names are available for nystatin?

Nystop is the only brand name available for nystatin. It’s the brand-name version of nystatin topical powder, which you apply to your skin.

For more information about Nystop, you can talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does nystatin work? And how long does it take to start working?

Nystatin works by killing Candida fungi, which cause certain fungal infections. It also prevents the fungi cells from multiplying (making more fungi) in your body.

The drug usually starts working within 1–2 days after you start treatment. Your doctor will likely recommend you continue to use nystatin for at least 48 hours after your symptoms go away. This is to prevent the infection from coming back.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Nystatin may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of nystatin and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about nystatin’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for nystatin listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of nystatin are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of nystatin you take or use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about nystatin’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for nystatin listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of nystatin topical cream (applied to the skin) include:

• mild burning where nystatin is applied
• itchiness where nystatin is applied
• skin rash
• pain where nystatin is applied
• mild allergic reaction*

Mild side effects of nystatin oral liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture) include:

• mouth irritation
• diarrhea
• nausea and vomiting
• upset stomach
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for nystatin” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of nystatin are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of nystatin you take or use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about nystatin’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for nystatin listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, nystatin’s serious side effects include:

• severe allergic reaction*

For nystatin oral liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture), the following serious side effects may also occur:

• serious skin rash, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• fast heart rate
• difficulty breathing due to tightening of airway muscles

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for nystatin” section.

Below, you’ll find information about nystatin’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of nystatin

Nystatin isn’t known to interact with any medications or supplements. (Interactions can affect how a drug works.) But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with nystatin won’t happen or be reported sometimes. For instance, medications created at a later time could interact with nystatin.

Because of this, you should ask your doctor and pharmacist about possible interactions with nystatin. They can check for any interactions that may affect you, such as those with:

• vaccines
• foods or alcohol
• other drugs

Warnings for nystatin

Some people should not take or use nystatin, and others should take or use it cautiously.

Nystatin could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether nystatin is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of nystatin you take or use.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for nystatin, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Nystatin can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to nystatin or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe nystatin. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to nystatin, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of nystatin

You should not take or use more nystatin than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken or used too much nystatin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and nystatin

Information about nystatin and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Nystatin and pregnancy

It’s not known whether nystatin should be taken or used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking or using this medication.

Nystatin and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether nystatin should be taken or used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking or using this medication.

This article describes nystatin’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about nystatin or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can I use nystatin cream along with other topical (applied to the skin) medications?
• How should I take nystatin oral liquid suspension to treat oral thrush?
• What should I do if my fungal infection comes back after treatment?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Nystatin — nystatin cream. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/b76065bb-a10d-4b10-ac29-df07e88da8b1/spl-doc
• Nystatin — nystatin ointment. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/0ee89f89-e90d-4706-9fa5-a61b5fde4470/spl-doc
• Nystatin — nystatin powder. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/656fc23b-65af-465e-9bcb-67fbbfa9b84e/spl-doc
• Nystatin — nystatin suspension. (2020). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/28b4e26e-206a-4e8a-abfe-774b780e91c3/spl-doc
• Nystatin — nystatin tablet, film coated. (2018). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8fd35f97-5405-2160-ca0f-35034ecd5a92/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.