Nystatin

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jul 07, 2022

Warnings


What are the risks of taking nystatin?


Nystatin may not be safe for everyone. This medication can cause serious health complications in some people. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if these risks are a concern for you

Risks of nystatin use include:
  • Allergic Reactions: Rarely, nystatin can cause a severe allergic reaction. Call your doctor or get emergency medical help if you notice a rash, hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, or trouble breathing or swallowing after taking nystatin.

  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: Very rarely, nystatin tablets can cause a serious allergic reaction and a severe skin rash called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Symptoms can include a severe skin reaction with painful blisters all over the body, sometimes accompanied by fever. These serious symptoms require immediate medical attention.

  • Drug Sensitivity: In some people, nystatin can irritate the mouth or stomach. If this happens, tell your healthcare provider. They may ask you to stop taking nystatin.


What should I tell my doctor before starting nystatin?

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to nystatin or any of the ingredients in nystatin oral suspension or tablets. Your pharmacy can provide you with a list of ingredients. Also, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other drugs. 

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your current medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.

Give your doctor a complete medical history and tell them about your medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.

What precautions should I take while on nystatin?

Keep all your appointments at your doctor’s office. Your doctor may need to order a stool test to check if a stomach or intestinal fungal infection has cleared. 

Continue taking nystatin tablets or oral suspension even if your symptoms are better and you feel well. Skipping doses or failing to take nystatin for as long as your doctor tells you can lead to incomplete treatment, causing the fungal infection to come back later. 

Tell your health care providers if you become pregnant while taking nystatin

What drugs can interact with nystatin?

Drug interactions can affect how the medications work or increase the risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may choose a different medication, change the dose or frequency of your medicines, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions. 

Nystatin does not have any known interactions with other drugs. However, you should give your healthcare providers a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare providers if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.