Nystatin

Nystatin (abbr. NYS), original name fungicidine, is a polyene antifungal medication for topical use.

Application
Nystatin is a fungistatic to fungicidal antifungal medicine that inhibits the growth of the genus Candida, Rhodotorula, Torulopsis and Trichosporon and micromycetes of the genus Aspergillus. It is suitable for the treatment of superficial candidiasis of the skin and mucous membranes, including the intestinal mucosa (when administered orally), oral candidiasis and vaginal candidiasis. In topical and oral administration, it is virtually not absorbed into the systemic circulation; thanks to this, it can also be used during pregnancy. Not suitable for the treatment of endomycosis.

Mechanism of action
Like other polyene antifungals, nystatin acts by binding to ergosterol. Ergosterol is one of the basic components of the plasmatic membrane of microscopic fungi. The binding of the antifungal medicine causes the formation of pores in the membrane through which potassium ions escape from the cell. This ultimately leads to death of the cell. Ergosterol is found only in microscopic fungi and protozoa, mammalian cells do not contain it; nystatin is therefore relatively non-toxic to humans.

Agents
Nystatin-containing agents are available in both HVLP and IPLP forms. HVLP products available in our country include ointments (eg Fungicidin, Drugs from ZENTIVA) and vaginal globules (in combination with other products); Agents in the form of oral suspensions, gels and tablets (eg Mycostatin) are also produced abroad.

History
Nystatin was discovered by bacteriologist Elizabeth Hazen and chemist  Rachel Brown in 1950, who isolated it from "Streptomyces noursei" cultures. The original name  fungicidine  was later changed to nystatin by New York State in the Health Department Laboratory where the discovery took place.

Related links

 * Antifungal medicine
 * Mycosis
 * Dermatomycosis

Literature

 * LINCOVÁ, Dagmar a Hassan FARGHALI, et al. Základní a aplikovaná farmakologie. 2. vydání. Praha : Galén, 2007. 672 s. ISBN 978-80-7262-373-0.
 * SLÍVA, Jiří a Martin VOTAVA. Farmakologie. 1. vydání. Praha : Triton, 2010. ISBN 978-80-7387-424-7.
 * HYNIE, Sixtus. Farmakologie v kostce. 2. vydání. Praha : Triton, 2001. 520 s. ISBN 80-7254-181-1.