amphotericin B vs nystatin
Side-by-side comparison of amphotericin B and nystatin Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Ambisome, Fungizone
Mycostatin
Amphotericin B liposome is an antifungal medicine. It fights serious fungal infections in your body.
Nystatin topical powder is an antifungal medicine. It treats fungal infections on your skin.
This medicine treats fungal infections like aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis. It can also treat cryptococcal meningitis in people with HIV. It may also be used for visceral leishmaniasis, but this infection can return, especially in those with weak immune systems.
This medicine treats skin infections caused by Candida, a type of fungus. It is for use on the skin only. Do not use in your mouth, vagina, eyes, or for infections inside your body.
Amphotericin B liposome belongs to a class of drugs called polyene antifungals. It works by binding to the membrane of the fungal cells. This binding disrupts the fungal cell membrane, causing the cell to die.
Nystatin is an antifungal medicine. It works by killing the fungus or stopping its growth. This helps to clear up the infection on your skin.
- • Abdominal pain
- • Weakness
- • Back pain
- • Chills
- • Pain
- • Allergic reactions
- • Burning
- • Itching
- • Rash
- • Eczema
- The medicine is not working 3,939
- Using the medicine for a condition it's not approved for 1,911
- Fever 974
- Condition got worse 842
- Fever with low white blood cell count 650
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,958
- Feeling very tired 1,795
- Loose, watery stools 1,781
- Lung infection 1,612
- Difficulty breathing 1,478
This medicine is not interchangeable with other amphotericin B products. Different versions of amphotericin B act differently in the body. Make sure you always get the correct medicine.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine. It is not known if nystatin topical powder is harmful to an unborn baby or passes into breast milk.
How to Read This amphotericin B vs nystatin Comparison
amphotericin B is classified in the Polyene Antifungal drug class, while nystatin sits within the Polyene Antifungal class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, amphotericin B has 8,316 submissions while nystatin has 8,624. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between amphotericin B and nystatin — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.