QLexNursing

💊 Nystatin is an antifungal medication primarily used to treat fungal infections, especially those caused by Candida species.

💊 It works by binding to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane, causing increased permeability and cell death, which helps eliminate the fungal organisms.

💊 Nystatin is commonly used for oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush), cutaneous candidiasis, and intestinal candidiasis, often in forms like oral suspension, tablets, or topical creams.

💊 Unlike systemic antifungals, nystatin is not significantly absorbed from the GI tract when taken orally, so it mainly acts locally in the mouth or gut, reducing systemic side effects.

💊 Because it specifically targets fungal cell membranes, nystatin is not effective against bacteria, viruses, or for blood pressure or pain control, making its primary role the treatment and prevention of local fungal infections.

Lowering blood pressure

💊 Nystatin does not act on the cardiovascular system and has no role in vasodilation or blood pressure regulation.

💊 Medications used to lower blood pressure are typically antihypertensives such as ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, or diuretics—not antifungals like nystatin.

Relieving pain

💊 Nystatin does not have analgesic properties and does not work on pain pathways or inflammation.

💊 Pain relief is managed using analgesics such as NSAIDs, acetaminophen, or opioids, depending on severity—not antifungal agents.

Preventing bacterial infections

💊 Nystatin is not an antibiotic and is ineffective against bacteria, because its mechanism targets fungal cell membranes, not bacterial cell walls or processes.

💊 Bacterial infections require antibacterial drugs, such as penicillins, cephalosporins, or macrolides, not antifungal agents like nystatin.