Nystatin has no Serious Side Effects
The following is an excerpt from our new book, An Extraordinary Power to Heal (2003). In An Extraordinary Power to Heal, we explain how nystatin and changing diet change the underlying problems that cause serious medical conditions. An Extraordinary Power to Heal also gives complete information about how to prescribe nystatin.
Some people believe that nystatin has terrible side effects. This is erroneous. There is one reported case of a rare, severe skin disorder called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Relying on this purported case does a disservice to patients by discouraging the use of what can be a very appropriately prescribed medication.
In all of the medical literature, there is only one reported case of nystatin being associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, 10 years ago. (9) This was described in a letter to the editor, not a controlled study. A young child with recurrent rashes and thrush (yeast in the mouth) was treated repeatedly and against parental wishes with nystatin, which was ineffective in treating those rashes. The child eventually developed a hypersensitivity reaction to nystatin, and developed Stevens-Johnson, which was successfully treated. The author of the letter concludes that the risk of nystatin being associated with Stevens-Johnson as an “adverse reaction” is minimal. (10) The risk is minimal enough that the major manufacturers of nystatin, including Lederle and Paddock, do not even include Stevens-Johnson as a possible adverse reaction. The American Hospital Formulary Service states that nystatin has rarely caused hypersensitivity reactions. Rarely here means one time. Nystatin is generally considered a non-toxic and safe medication with few side effects. (11)
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is much more often associated with using the same types of antibiotics that are used to treat ear infections, including amoxicillin. (12) Stevens-Johnson syndrome has also been associated with Ginseng (13); anti-hypertensive drugs (14), a health drink called Eberu (15); and anti-epileptic drugs (16).
Notes
(9) Arch Dermatol. 1991 May;127(5):741-2
(10) Arch Dermatol. 1991 May;127(5):741-2
(11) Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Associated With Nystatin Treatment, Arch Dermatol 127 May 1991:741-2; American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information book, 2001
(12) Limauro, DL, Chan-Tompkins, NH, Carter, RW, Brodmerkel, GJ Jr, Agrawal, RM, Amoxicillin/clavulanate-associated hepatic failure with progression to Stevens-Johnson syndrome; Ann Pharmacother 1999 May; 33(5):560-4; Anderson, JA, Antibiotic drug allergy in children, Curr Opin Pediatr 1994 Dec; 6(6):656-60; Chan, HL, Stern, RS, Arndt, KA, Langlois, J, Jick, SS, Jick, H, Walker, AM, The incidence of erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. A population-based study with particular reference to reactions caused by drugs among outpatients, Arch Dermatol 1990 Jan; 126(1):43-7; Shoji, A, Someda, Y, Hamada, T, Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to minocycline therapy, Arch Dermatol 1987 Jan; 123 (1): 18-20; Pandha, HS, Dunn, PJ, Stevens-Johnson syndrome associated with erythromycin therapy, NZ Med J 1995 Jan 25; 108 (992):13; Gorbachev, VV, Bronovets, IN, Vetokhin, VI, Chugunkina, SB, Karachan, NZ, Stevens-Johnson syndrome as a complication of antibacterial therapy, Ter Arkh 1972 Aug; 44(8):106-8; Curley, RK, Verbov, JL, Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to tetracyclines-a case report (doxycycline) and review of the literature, Clin Exp Dermatol 1987 Mar; 12(2):124-5; Crosby, SS, Murray, KM, Marvin, JA, Heimbach, DM, Tartaglione, TA, Management of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Clin Pharm 1986 Aug; 5(8):682-9.
(13) Dega, H, Laporte, JL, Frances, C, Herson, S, Chosidow, O, Ginseng as a cause for Stevens-Johnson syndrome: Lancet 1996 May 11; 347 (9011): 1344.
(14) Spinler, SA, Globus, NJ, Raymond, JZ, Lancefield, ML, Indapamide-associated Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Cutis 1992 Sep; 50(3):200-2;
(15) Mochitomi, Y, Inoue, A, Ishida, S, Kanzaki, T, Stevens-Johnson syndrome caused by a health drink (Eberu) containing ophiopogonis tuber, J Dermatol 1998 Oct; 25(10):662-5.
(16) Pelekanos, J, Camfield, P, Camfield, C, Gordon, K, Allergic rash due to antiepileptic drugs:clinical features and management, Epilepsia 1991 Jul-Aug; 32(4)554-9; Bocquet, H, Farmer, M, Bressieu, JM, Barzegar, C, Jullien, M, Soto, B, Roujeau, JC, Revuz, J, Lyell syndrome and Stevens-Johnson syndrome cause by lamotrigine, Ann Dermatol Venereol 1999 Jan; 126(1):46-8; Chan, HL, Stern, RS, Arndt, KA, Langlois, J, Jick, SS, Jick, H, Walker, AM, The incidence of erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. A population-based study with particular reference to reactions caused by drugs among outpatients, Arch Dermatol 1990 Jan; 126(1):43-7; Crosby, SS, Murray, KM, Marvin, JA, Heimbach, DM, Tartaglione, TA, Management of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Clin Pharm 1986 Aug; 5(8):682-9.
