NYSTATIN

Sunday, February 19, 2012

NYSTATIN is effective against Candida albicans, a normal inhabitant of the mouth and intestine but which many proliferate to cause thrush in debilitated patients, or if the normal flora is suppressed by a broad spectrum antibiotic such as tetracycline. Lesions of the alimentary tract are treated with tablets, containing 500,000 units, thrice daily for three weeks. Pessaries are available for the treatment of vaginal infections and are inserted once or twice daily. AMPHOTERCIN B is indicated only in the treatment of severe systemic mycoses such as coccidioidomycosis. It is given in increasing doses by intravenous injection and is very toxic. The former is reserved for the parenteral treatment of severe infections due to gram-negative organisms and the latter is used for topical treatment of skin infections and for ‘sterilisation’ of the gut.