To combat advanced infections, with the manifestation of severe symptoms, both medications are often prescribed. The ability of one of them to destroy fungi, and the ability of the other to stop their development, in symbiosis give the maximum therapeutic effect.
If both drugs are prescribed at once, they need to be taken in different forms. If the first is taken in tablets or capsules, the second must be used in the form of suppositories or ointments.
I would like to recall that any of the medications should be prescribed by a doctor. After the patient passes the necessary tests, the appropriate medication will be selected for him, with the exact indication of the correct dosage and timing of admission.
Fungal infection is a common and very unpleasant problem. Most often, yeast microorganisms provoke its occurrence . They begin active activity in the body with weak immunity, after prolonged hypothermia, with poor personal hygiene.
Treatment must be started immediately to stop the growth of the fungus. Otherwise, pathology can acquire a chronic form.
One of the widely popular antifungal drugs include Nystatin and Fluconazole.
“Nystatin”: a description of the drug
“Nystatin” is an antifungal agent from a number of polyene antibiotics. It is used to treat candidiasis.
The composition has the main active substance – nystatin, as well as some auxiliary ingredients.
Available in several dosage forms: tablets, vaginal suppositories, ointment for external use, rectal suppositories.
The drug has activity in the destruction of yeast from the genus Candida. The active component of the drug has the property of binding to sterols in cell membranes. This allows you to penetrate the fungal cell and cause its death.
Indications and contraindications
Indications for use are:
For tablets:
- Prevention of fungal infection after gastrointestinal tract surgery.
- Candidiasis of the mucous membranes, skin, internal organs.
- Long-term antibiotic treatment (for the prevention of gastrointestinal candidiasis).
For vaginal suppositories:
- Local therapy for vaginal candidiasis.
- Prevention of fungal infections with topical antibiotic use.
For rectal suppositories: treatment and prevention of fungal infections that occur in the lower gastrointestinal tract (as well as after intestinal surgery).
Ointment is applied topically for lesions of the mucous membranes or skin.
Contraindications for use for any of the dosage forms are: the state of pregnancy, a strong sensitivity to the components.
Tablets are not taken in the presence of stomach ulcers, disorders in the liver and kidneys, pancreatitis.
In the form of suppositories, an antimycotic agent is not prescribed until the age of 18.
Ointment is not used at the age of less than 1 year.
Side effects can be expressed both by general and local manifestations. Bitterness in the mouth, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, chills, allergies can occur from taking the pills.
Suppositories and ointments as a side effect cause hives, rashes, burning, skin irritation, local allergic manifestations.
“Fluconazole”: a description of the drug
“Fluconazole” is an antifungal drug. Belongs to the group of triazoles. The scope is the prevention and treatment of candidiasis and a number of other mycoses.
The composition contains the main active component – fluconazole, and excipients.
It is produced in capsule format, as well as in the form of an infusion solution (for use in a hospital).
The drug inhibits enzymatic processes, slowing down the formation of the cell membrane of the fungus. Due to this, the permeability of the cell increases, the growth of the colony of pathogens stops.
The effect of antimycotics extends not only to Candida fungi. It shows good results in the treatment of mycoses provoked by Trichphyton spp, Coccidioides immitis, etc.
Indications and contraindications
Indications for use are:
- Atrophic candidiasis of the oral cavity.
- Recurrent or acute genital candidiasis.
- Onychomycosis.
- Endemic deep mycoses.
- Dermatomycosis.
- Generalized candidiasis.
- Candidiasis of the esophagus, oral cavity.
- Cryptococcal meningitis.
- Prevention of fungal infections in individuals after radiation therapy.
- Pityriasis versicolor.
The drug is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to any component, if necessary, co-administration of “Terfenadine” or “Astelong”, with children under 4 years of age, during lactation.
At the stage of pregnancy, the drug is used only in case of emergency, correlating all the possible consequences. In these cases, the responsibility lies entirely with the attending physician.
Care must also be taken when prescribing an antimycotic to patients who have impaired renal and hepatic function.
Among the side effects may be: flatulence. loose stools. headache. hepatotoxic reactions. nausea. skin rash. abdominal pain. anaphylactic shock.
What are the similarities of drugs
In the considered antimycotic agents there is very little in common. A major similarity is that they both represent a group of antifungal drugs.
They have a fungistatic effect, that is, they destroy the cell membranes of pathogenic fungi. They have a similar list of side effects. Otherwise, the drugs vary greatly, both in therapeutic effect and in the range of action.
What is the difference between drugs
The difference between the considered antimycotics is as follows:
- The drugs have various active substances.
- Producer countries are different. Nystatin is available in Russia and Belarus, Fluconazole in Israel and Russia.
- The first product has a diverse release format, which is more convenient to use.
- The range of action of “Fluconazole” is much wider than that of another medicine.
- Nystatin has a low absorption. Because of this, it must be taken more often and systematically.
- The occurrence of adverse reactions often occurs during treatment with “Fluconazole.” In addition, it negatively interacts with other medications (analgesics, antiarrhythmic drugs).
The cost is slightly different. Nystatin tablets will cost from 37 to 130 rubles. (depending on the manufacturer), suppositories – 74-80 rubles., Ointment – 85 rubles.
“Fluconazole” in the form of capsules will cost around 80 rubles. For the Israeli product will have to pay from 200 to 300 rubles.
What to choose
Which of the antimycotics is better is difficult to say. Both have both advantages and disadvantages.
In addition, it is impossible to predict which tool will more effectively cope with the pathology in a particular patient.
It may be that in one patient the pathogen is more susceptible to Nystatin, in another, on the contrary, to Fluconazole.
In addition, when choosing, it is necessary to consider the safety of the drug. So, “Fluconazole”, more powerful in antifungal action, is much inferior to the second remedy in safety for the patient’s body.
Patients with a history of gastric ulcer should not purchase tablets in order not to provoke an exacerbation.
For the treatment of thrush in the oral cavity of babies, Nystatin is better.
