Does Nystatin work for Candida? That is the question we explore today. A site visitor asks the following question…
Hi Cynthia, I am a 51 yr old female with Candida very bad, I think. I want to know if Nystatin gets rid of Candida? I have been on a low dose of Diflucan for 4 weeks now, started at 5mg, then 10mg, and now at 15mg. The Doctor I got it from started me low so my die-off would not be so bad. I am treating with a new Doctor who wants to start me on Nystatin. I have been talking to people that sell Threelac and they claim that the antifungal drugs like Diflucan and Nystatin do not get rid on the yeast, that once you stop taking them the yeast will come back, is this true? I have been reading Dr. William Crook’s book and he states that the drugs work. I am wondering your view on this since you seem very knowledgeable in this area. I took one packet of Threelac and had a lot of dizziness, they said this is die off. Can you please help? Thank you so much for your time. Jana
Hi Jana,
Unfortunately, as is the case with many issues related to Candida, there’s not a clear-cut answer to the question of “does Nystatin work,” but here’s my opinion. Although Dr. Crook’s book is an excellent resource and packed with helpful information, it’s important to keep in mind that it was written some time ago. This applies to all the primary books out there written by the three pioneers in this field, Dr.s Truss, Crook and Trowbridge. These books should be read by everyone with Candida, but we need to be aware of their limits.
Over the years our understanding of Candida has grown and expanded. We now know that Candida mutates and becomes resistant to antifungals. In my own personal experience and the experiences I hear quite frequently from others, most people with severe Candida overgrowth do not overcome it easily like they describe in those books.
Candida mutates and gets resistant to all antifungals. That applies to Diflucan, Nystatin, Nizoral etc., and all the natural antifungals as well like garlic, caprylic acid, grapefruit seed, etc. This means, that after a period of time, the yeast changes form and the antifungal is no longer effective.
How fast it mutates varies from person to person. Some people can take a product for years before it mutates, while for others it mutates in a couple weeks. Diflucan worked fantastic for me for about a month and then my Candida got resistant. Most people who take Diflucan don’t have die off. If so, it’s usually pretty mild because of the manner in which it kills yeast.
Additionally, for many people, once the antifungal is discontinued, then Candida returns usually in full force. Although the Candida diet is not going to cure Candida alone, it will keep it under control. However, typically once you stray and eat too many carbohydrates, symptoms will flare once again.
Any antifungal should be accompanied by a good probiotic and the Candida diet. We also know at this time that there are many other factors that must be addressed besides taking antifungals and following the Candida diet like, the pH of the body, heavy metals, leaky gut, food sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies etc., I provide a comprehensive blueprint of all the secondary issues that need addressed in my book Candida Secrets.
I had a bad experience with Threelac and so have many other people. I don’t recommend it to anyone, especially those with severe systemic overgrowth. Some strains of Candida may be resistant to Threelac as well, and many people report that once they stop taking it, then Candida returns. It is no different than any other remedy, except that a lot of people report that they get extremely ill from Threelac. I suggest you read my post where many other people have shared their experiences and my review on this product:
I encourage you to read other posts I’ve made on this blog about Candida. There have been many questions I’ve answered that will likely be helpful for you. You can find them on this page, and be sure to click the link that says “previous entires” at the bottom of this page to see the rest of the posts related to this topic:
https://www.holistichelp.net/blog/category/candidiasis/
Nystatin is helpful for many while taking it and before your Candida gets resistant to it. It does effectively kill Candida in the gut, until mutation occurs. It works great for vaginal yeast. You can put the powder in a capsule and insert it vaginally as a suppository. As far as prescription drugs go, Nystatin is the safest one. Nystatin doesn’t leave the gut, so it never enters the blood stream and doesn’t put the liver at risk of damage. Diflucan and Nizoral can harm the liver and liver enzymes should be monitored while taking any of them.
Something you want to be aware of is that Nystatin works by literally blowing up the Candida organism. This results in severe die off as toxins are distributed greatly throughout the body. Die off with Nystatin can be very, very severe. So severe that it is impossible for some people to endure. At the very least, you can expect to be pretty miserable. Some people are allergic or sensitive to Nystatin and unable to take it.
Additionally, the form is very important. It should be consumed in powder or lozenges form, so that it will coat the entire alimentary canal – the mouth, throat, esopahgus, small intestine, colon. Candida lives in all these places and it needs to come in direct contact with the Nystatin. The most success is achieved if it is taken for about three to six months. However, even still, many people become resistant to Nystatin and/or see a flare in symptoms when it is discontinued.
You should also be aware that Diflucan and Nizoral do not kill yeast in the gut. It only gets what is systemic. So they must be accompanied by Nystatin, Amphotericin B, or the many natural antifungals, to get what is in the GI tract. Diflucan alone is not going produce long-term results.
So to answer the question, does Nystatin work? That depends on your definition of “work” and who you’re talking to. Unless you’re one of the lucky few, once Nystatin is discontinued Candida will typically flourish. However, again this depends on many factors and varies greatly from individual to individual. Someone who has a mild case of Candida that hasn’t left the gut and not too many other secondary issues, may be able to eliminate it with Nystatin and the Candida diet, but people with many secondary issues and a high level of systemic Candida have a longer more difficult road ahead.
Since it is one of the least non-toxic prescription antifungals, there is no harm in trying and seeing what kind of results you get. You may be able to make significant progress before becoming resistant and not everyone gets resistant to Nystatin.
Best Regards,
Cynthia
Hi Cynthia , Many thanks for your time and efforts with the Candida information and experiences.I am currently experiencing a nasty burning itching rash on my legs only. This same rash sent me to the emergency room last year .The docs were perplexed and put me on steroids.I’m suspecting candida and investigating various treatments including diet.Friends have suggested MMS. Are you familiar with it?
Mary
Hi Mary,
Yes, rashes of unknown origin are a very common symptom of Candida, so it could indeed be a Candida problem. If the MMS os referring to Miracle Mineral Solution, yes I have written about it on this page:
https://www.holistichelp.net/blog/is-miracle-mineral-solution-an-effective-antifungal/
Best
Cynthia
Hi cynthia, my 1 yr. old son has had thrush maybe 5 times since he was born! HE had it a month ago and he now has it again. The nystatin doesnt seem to work so they always put him on diflucan. Now they want to try the nystatin again. The doctors told me to boil all his nipples and bottles, and i do, but for some reason he keeps getting it. Is this going to keep happening. is he resistant to the diflucan or nystatin and why do you think he keeps getting this nasty thrush in his mouth? any answers you have would be appreciated.
Thanks again,
Heidi
Hi Heidi,
Reoccurring thrush probably indicates that there is a great deal of Candida in the gut. It’s possible his Candida is a strain that is resistant to Nystatin and Diflucan. Are they giving you Nystatin in powder form? It must be powder form, so that it can coat the entire alimentary canal. Diflucan doesn’t kill very much Candida in the gut. You might find Florastor to be effective. You need to find a good doctor who practices functional medicine. The average pediatrician has a very limited understanding of Candida.
Best
Cynthia
Hi Cynthia, I have had Psoriasis since 11 yrs. old. Today I am 60. I am one who has benifited from Nystatin. I discovered Dr. Crook’s theory and was perscribed Nyst. After 20 yrs. of being free I stopped Nyst. and in 12 months my Ps returned. Today I am back on and look great and feel great. I struggle that no one else wants to try this and they continue to Suffer. Grace
Please help! I have had systemic candida which has affected the bladder, sinuses, itching nose, throat, allergies, prostate, bowels. This came from antibiotics. Which are the best natural antifungals – nystatin just encourages fungus to mutate and diflucan is dangerous and it only comes back. I do diet but that is not enough. Which natural antifungals really do work?
I personally have had some success with Olive Leaf Extract and Oil of Oregano. My candida has been present for three years and is resistant to most anti fungals. The Dr wanted to treat with IV administered antifungals and I decided to try the natural products first. I have been using Olive Leaf for almost four weeks and seen a huge change in mood and energy level and the spots on my tongue are slowly getting smaller.
Does Oil of Oregano not kill off all the good gut flora? Has anyone had success with caprylic acid and which type did you take? I did not seem successful with Olive Leaf Extract.
What is the general feeling on diet. One can get so weak and ill with cutting out all carbohydrates?
Hi Cynthia, in the late 1970’s I began to have different kinds of symptoms. first tiredness then others anxiety attacks, very bad bloating, a trembling inside my body,depression and other things I thought I was losing my mind. I went to really more than 7 doctors in 7 years and they all said there was nothing wrong with me! finally some friends called me and one of them had been diagnosed with candida when i told them my symptoms they told me what was probably wrong with me. they gave me names of 2 doctorshad knowledge of candida I went to one and he gave me nystatin and put me on a strict diet also 5 one a day vitamins because I could not have fruit I had already read Dr crooks book so started the diet before I wemt to Dr. nystatin worked very good for me and I began feeling so much better. but now I am up in years and I know I have candida again so am looking for a Dr that will prescribe nystatin for me. the Dr that helped me is retired I want someone who will know about candida I took powder 1/4 tsp 4 times a day I just started on the diet 9/11/012 again. oh I also took powdered vitamin C I had also gained 40 pounds the first time I had this and now the same thing has happened it ‘s a gradual thing and so you don’t think much about it till it becomes worse enjoyed your web site Louise
Hi Cynthia. I have had reoccurring bladder infections for the past 4 years. I was on the candida diet for a month came off and am on again. I am on many supplements. And I am wondering if I should try Nystatin to help the process. Please help
Hi Alicia,
I cannot advise whether you should take Nystatin or not. That is a decision you need to make with your doctor. The diet must be typically be continued ongoing to maintain improvements that are made. Going very low-carb will remove the food source from the microbes that may be contributing to the bladder infections.
Best,
Cynthia
Hello I been having a really bad feces body odor that others can smell and I don’t know how to get rid of it, I need some advice because I am very depressed because of this
Hi Yeato,
That is a common symptom with SIBO. May want to explore this issue on the following page.
https://www.holistichelp.net/blog/sibo-101-a-comprehensive-guide-to-small-intestinal-bacterial-overgrowth/
Hi there,
I have got dysidrosis on my hands, constantly reoccuring since my C-section, 6 months ago. GP’s say there is thing to be done but after a research I found I might have Candida overgrowth. Hw can I test for it, and which professional should I consult?
Thanks,
Marta P.
Hi Marta,
You should take a look at the following pages.
https://www.holistichelp.net/blog/candida-overgrowth-symptoms/
https://www.holistichelp.net/candida-secrets/