Diflucan vs. Nystatin

• Are Diflucan and Nystatin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Diflucan?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Nystatin?
• What is Diflucan?
• What is Nystatin?
• What Drugs Interact with Diflucan?
• What Drugs Interact with Nystatin?
• How Should Diflucan Be Taken?
• How Should Nystatin Be Taken?

Diflucan (fluconazole) and nystatin are antifungal medications used to treat Candida fungal infections.

Diflucan is also used to treat fungal meningitis and may be prescribed to ward off fungal infections in patients being treated with chemotherapy or radiation before a bone marrow transplant.

Nystatin comes in several forms. Oral nystatin is used to treat oral thrush, and the cream or powder forms of nystatin are used topically to treat fungal skin infections.

Brand names for nystatin include Nystatin, Nyamyc, Nystop, and Nyata.

Common side effects of Diflucan include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• stomach or abdominal pain,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• heartburn,
• loss of appetite, and
• allergic reactions including skin inflammation, itching, rash, and unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Common side effects of Nystatin include:

• skin irritation or redness,
• nausea,
• stomach upset,
• vomiting, or
• diarrhea

Diflucan (fluconazole) is an antifungal medication prescribed to treat Candida fungal infections of the mouth, vagina, esophagus, lungs, urinary tract, abdomen, and other organs. Diflucan is also used to treat fungal meningitis and may be prescribed to ward off fungal infections in patients being treated with chemotherapy or radiation before a bone marrow transplant.

Nystatin is a topical (for the skin) antifungal used to treat fungal skin infections. Nystatin is available in generic form.

Diflucan may interact with blood thinners or seizure medications.

Diflucan may also interact with alfentanil, fentanyl, clopidogrel, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, methadone, pimozide, prednisone, saquinavir, zidovudine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, theophylline, voriconazole, antidepressants, cancer medicines, cholesterol lowering medicines, heart or blood pressure medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), oral diabetes medications, rifabutin, rifampin, or sedatives.

There may be other drugs that can interact with Nystatin. Tell your healthcare provider about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. Do not start a new medication without telling your healthcare provider. Nystatin should be used only if prescribed during pregnancy. It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk.

Diflucan is available in several strengths and comes as a tablet (50, 100, 150 and 200 mg strength), liquid (350 or 1400 mg strength), or injection (2 mg per ml). Diflucan is taken once a day and may be taken for several weeks depending on the condition being treated.

The adult and pediatric dose of Nystatin cream is to apply liberally to affected areas twice daily or as indicated until healing is complete. The adult and pediatric dose of Nystatin powder for candidal lesions is to apply two or three times daily until healing is complete. For fungal infection of the feet caused by Candida species, the powder should be dusted on the feet and in all foot wear.