How should nystatin be administered for oral candidiasis?

Nystatin is primarily used to treat fungal infections, particularly oral candidiasis, and it is effective due to its ability to bind to the fungal cell membrane, leading to cell death. For oral candidiasis specifically, nystatin should be administered by swishing it in the mouth before swallowing. This method allows the medication to come into direct contact with the affected mucosal surfaces in the mouth and throat, where it can exert its antifungal effects effectively.

The swishing action helps distribute the medication evenly in the oral cavity, enhancing the local concentration of nystatin at the site of infection. After swishing, swallowing the medication ensures that any remaining nystatin can act on potential fungal infections in the esophagus. This route of administration maximizes the therapeutic effect of the drug in treating localized candidal infections in the oral cavity.

In contrast, other methods of administration would not achieve the desired effect. For instance, injecting nystatin intramuscularly or administering it intravenously is not standard practice for treating oral candidiasis, as the drug is not typically used systemically for this indication. Additionally, compressing nystatin into tablets for dissolution does not facilitate the direct contact required for effective treatment of oral candidiasis compared to swishing and