Administration
Nystatin is an antifungal medication that can be taken in a variety of ways. As Medline explains, nystatin can be used to treat fungal infections of the skin, vagina, mouth and the intestinal tract. For intestinal fungal infections, the medication may come in the form of a pill or a liquid. Skin infections require the application of a cream or ointment containing nystatin. Vaginal fungal infections can be treated using a cream or a tablet that is inserted into the vagina. Finally, fungal infections of the mouth and throat are best treated using a lozenge that dissolves in the mouth.
Glucose Disruption
According to an article in the "Irish Journal of Medical Science," one way in which nystatin kills fungi is by disrupting the way in which fungi import glucose into the cell. Fungi (like all cells) are surrounded by a membrane. Glucose is too large to pass through the membrane, so it has to be imported using special proteins. Nystatin interferes with these proteins, which prevents glucose from getting in the cell. Fungi use glucose as one of their main energy sources, so over time, the glucose reserves in the fungal cells are used up, causing the cells to atrophy and die.
Polymetaphosphates
Fungal cells also store energy in the form of compounds called polymetaphosphates. Polymetaphosphates represent one of the main energy reserves in fungal cells. Nystatin prevents fungal cells from using these compounds for energy as well. As a result, not only can the cell not import additional glucose for fuel, it cannot use other forms of stored energy. Fungal cells (like all life forms) need a constant supply of energy to replicate and keep the cell intact. Without new forms of energy, the cells either die or are forced to become dormant to conserve energy, which allows the immune system to eliminate them from the body.
