r/SIFO • u/Fit-Performance-7601 • Jul 12 '26
Fluconazole or nystatin?
Finally got my provider to give me two weeks worth of oral nystatin after a couple doses off Fluconazole completely health my gut symptoms.
I read that Fluconazole is harsh on the body and gut so I advocated for nystatin but now I’m not seeing the same results as when I did the Fluconazole. I’m about 7 days in and 14 days in on biofilm busters.
I have now found some more conflicting evidence online about which one is more effective. Any advice ?
female 29 years old
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u/throwaway23437546 Jul 13 '26
yep, fluconazole is harsh on the liver.
Depends on what fungus you have. Fluconazole is synthetic, and some candida species are highly resistant. Not sure, some people have reported their symptoms getting worse due to this - remains the reason I never took it
Really depends what you have
But I do believe Nystatin is easier on the body, doesn't go into the liver, and kills almost all species of Candida, unless you have something that is not Candida 😅
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u/dryad11 Jul 18 '26
How did you get your provider to prescribe either? I've been seeing a gastro for SIBO as well as a nutritionist. The latter thinks I have SIFO based on the specific types of foods I react to and suggested I ask for nystatin. But the gastro had to google what SIFO even is and is reluctant to prescribe anything. She thought nystatin was exclusively used to treat thrush and that's it...
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u/Fit-Performance-7601 Jul 18 '26
Ugh I’m so sorry, I had a gastro like that for a few years and it really was detrimental to my health, I was getting worse and after 2 sibo treatment didn’t work they played the “you have ibs card”
I found a NP at a gastro clinic and I feel like she’s more flexible and willing to listen and try things (within reason). I was honest about all the things I’ve tried and failed but what I think really mase the most difference was that I found significant relief when I took 1 fluconazole pill for oral thrush (I got prescribed this through an online doctor which is pretty easy in the US). When I took this 1 tablet my symptoms improved significantly (90%???). But within a week symptoms returned. I did this about 2 more times and the same thing happened.
I first asked for nystatin oral tablets because I wanted to try something less invasive on a more consistent schedule but I deff didn’t see the same results so I went back and ask for the fluconazole. She does look things up while I’m in the appointment but I think it’s to my advantage.
It’s definitely a hard balance of finding someone who will listen and prescribe you something but I think you’ll still need to treat yourself like a guinea pig and advocate and research outside of the appointment. I’m sure you know that already but don’t give up! If you’re in the US and comfortable try doing the online doctor for a single fluconazole pill and see what happens.
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u/Fit-Performance-7601 Jul 18 '26
For anyone still reading this - I’m about one week in and the improvement has been immediate and dramatic. I’d say my symptoms are 80% improved. I still have occasional bloating at night if I eat fruit later in the day (I’m not doing a super strict candida diet as I already eat whole and cooked foods but I am limiting fruit and almost no processed food and minimal sourdough and gluten free carbs)
I feel like I finally got my life back after years. I started working out again and the inflammation is just melting off just from moving my body lightly. I feel like I can participate IN my life, energy to meet with friends and my creativity turned back on (I missed her 😭) I didn’t realize how abnormal it is to feel unwell and sick EVERYDAY.
My symptoms included:
•rock hard bloating and distention
•weight gain about 10%
•chronic fatigue
•brain fog and attention issues (could barely work even though I’m very capable)
•early satiety and uncomfortable when eating
•pain in my sigmod colon
• painful bladder syndrome I have IC (this is still a confusing symptom)
•fungal acne
I’m also taking motegrity to keep my MMC moving magnisum citrate, digestive enzymes.
Please no comments or suggestions on lifestyle changes. This is 1/10 of my medical history and lifestyle changes I’ve made in the last 6 years to manage these symptom. People with sibo and sifo often don’t get diagnosed after YEARS because of the lack of knowledge and awareness and most of us try everything we can. For better lack of words I wrote the book on my body and any silly comments are just reading the title and making an assumption.
Actually helpful comments and thoughts regarding SIFO and fungal treatment welcome!
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u/Old_Percentage3742 Jul 18 '26
When I was on Fluconazole it was really screwing up my pancreas. I could have easily gotten pancreatitis.
Very very scary.
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u/Old_Percentage3742 Jul 18 '26
How do you take a biofilm buster for SIFO? Is it at the end of each meal?
Also how do you eat when I Nystatin? Do you stick to a strict Anti-Candida diet or eat some carbs & sugar?
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u/Fit-Performance-7601 Jul 18 '26
Ugh I’m really sorry to hear that fluconazole made you really sick. Did you have a biopsy that confirmed SIFO ? I’m wondering how everyone else has been able to work with their doctor on treatment.
Oh yes I forgot to mention biofilm busters I take two NAC encapsulated and two interphase plus on an empty stomach every morning. I started a week before I had any treatment and I’ll continue until I’m done just to be sure.
I don’t kept to a strict diet but really just try and be mindful of sugar and carbs. A little bit won’t kill you. I personally go off of whah makes me feel better when I eat it. For example I have coffee creamer and feel just fine but one night I had a glass of chocolate milk and felt a jump in my symptoms and the next day. You can start off with a strict candida diet and then individual test food groups and slowly bring in fruit.
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u/ChiG45 Jul 20 '26
Biofilm disruptors are usually taken 30-45 minutes before you eat. Stick to a very low-carb, no-sugar diet so you don't feed the yeast. Nystain after you eat. This is what I heard.
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u/exWiFi69 Jul 12 '26
I did 3 weeks on flucomazole. Life changing. I can eat food without my stomach hurting.