Nystatin (Mycostatin)
Nystatin predates the azoles as an extremely effective antifungal. Available in the United States since 1951, nystatin continues to be an effective and safe antifungal medication. However, a number of physicians and pharmacists are concerned about the tremendous increase in its price during the past two years.
Nystatin works in a unique way to help reestablish the strength of the intestinal walls, eliminating leaky gut syndrome.
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| Yeast On Skin Cure |
The beauties of nystatin are many: It is virtually side-effect free, with the exception of occasional minor gastrointestinal upsets, and the price is by far the cheapest of the prescription antifungals, at about 60 cents for a 500,000 IU pill. Most physicians prescribe one or two capsules daily. Patients also rarely report a die-off reaction, and many say it is the only antifungal most patients need, while some others contend it is less effective than the azoles. Other physicians will start patients on the azoles and then switch them to nystatin after two or three weeks.
The downside is that some strains of candida are resistant to nysutatin.
I researched nystatin in the Physician's Desk Reference, which contains thousands of prescription drugs, and found it was one of the safest drugs on the market.
Lamisil (Terbinafine Hydrochloride)
This drug is a member of a class of antifungals that have a different action mechanism than the azoles. It was approved in 1995 for the treatment of fungal infections of the nails. It is dispensed in 250 mg. tablets.
Lamisil has side effects similar to the azoles. Most common is a skin rash, but there have been cases of liver damage, and it has been known to affect the retina of the eye. It also has been associated with tumor growth and may interact with other prescription medications. Lamisil also can cause elevated white blood cells counts, so anyone with an impaired immune system should be monitored carefully.
During the past several years, several of my colleagues have told me that Lamisil has helped a few of their patients who had not been helped by other antifungals.
Thoughts from Other Health Care Professionals: Many physicians prefer to give patients one of the azoles plus nystatin because the combination works more quickly and efficiently to knock out the overgrowth.
Dr. Elmer Cranton of Yelm, Washington, explains why this is a more effective method of treatment:
... (Diflucan, Sporanox and Nizoral) are all absorbed in the upper GI tract and taken into the circulation. They go to many parts of the body, including the liver and are excreted in the bile. Yet, the drugs are reabsorbed in the upper part of the small intestine. As a result, therapeutic levels do not reach the colon. Therefore, I strongly urge that nystatin be given in conjunction with the systemic drugs.
I personally prefer to use Sporanox and nystatin together for two months. When these drugs are stopped, the benefits are lasting and my patients get well. The majority not only get well, but they stay well. They don't relapse as they often do when only one of these medicines is used at a time.
Geraldine Donaldson, M.D., in Livermore, California, has used miconaznole with great success for similar reasons:
I also use miconazole, which I order from Canada. It costs $40 for one hundred 250 mg capsules and $5 for shipping. I've been using it for 10-12 years. Fluconazole is reabsorbed from the small intestine so that very little of it gets into the large intestine.
A number of patients whose symptoms improved relapsed after fluconazole was stopped. The miconazole helps eradicate the fungi in the large bowel. I recommend starting the antifungal gradually, beginning with fluconazole and then adding miconazole because of die-off reaction. I continue both of these antifungals together until the patient recovers.
Dennis Remington, M.D., of Provo, Utah, strongly favors the azoles. He told me he usually uses Diflucan and Nizoral because stool tests he receives from the Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories indicate that these drugs work 500 to 1,000 times better than the nonprescription antifungals, including Tanalbit, uva ursi, caprylic acid or undecylenic acid.
He also said when he first started treating patients with yeast-related problems he used nystatin almost exclusively, but he's now finding that the stool tests show that a lot of people are resistant to nystatin. He also has found that Nizoral is more effective than Diflucan, not to mention that it is much less expensive.
MY COMMENTS
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| Yeast On Skin Cure |
I consider the azole medications important, safe and effective for most people. While there are side effects, taking these drugs when they are needed, based on your medical history, is much safer than letting your problems go untreated.
Yet, no drug provides a "quick fix" for candida-related health problems. You must also eat the proper diet and take other measures to regain your health and get your life back on track. To find out more, you can check out Yeast On Skin Cure.