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Thrush
Thrush is a yeast infection that can develop in the mouth and throat and on the tongue. Thrush is most common in newborns, infants, and older adults, but it can occur at any age. In healthy newborns and infants, thrush is usually not a serious problem and is easily treated and cured.
Both nonprescription and prescription medicines that inhibit the growth of yeast (antifungals) are available for treating thrush. If nonprescription medicines do not cure thrush, you will need to see a doctor for a prescription medicine.
In infants, treatment is continued for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have gone away. Most adults need treatment for 14 days. In more severe or persistent infections, treatment may be continued beyond the normal treatment period.
Antifungal medicines are either applied directly to the affected area (topical) so the medicine affects only that area, or swallowed (oral) so the medicine affects the entire body.
Topical antifungal medicines
Topical antifungal medicines are applied to the affected area and are available in a variety of forms, such as rinses and lozenges.
Topical antifungal medicines need to be in contact with the affected area long enough to stop the growth of the yeast. Lozenges are preferred because they take longer to dissolve. Because the lozenges need moisture to dissolve, sipping water while using them may increase their effectiveness.
Because several of the topical antifungal medicines contain sugar, there is an increased risk of cavities when the medicines are used for long periods of time. Using a topical fluoride rinse or gel (if you are not already obtaining fluoride through other means) during treatment may help prevent cavities.
Oral antifungal medicines
Unlike topical antifungal medicines, oral antifungal medicines affect the whole body. Oral medicines are used alone to treat mild thrush infections, but they also may be combined with topical antifungal medicines to treat more severe thrush infections.
Oral antifungal medicines are used to prevent thrush in certain people with conditions that weaken the body's immune system.
Oral antifungal medicines should not be used during pregnancy because the fetus may be harmed. But oral antifungal medicines may be used in pregnant women who have a rare, severe infection.
In rare cases, an antifungal medicine will need to be injected into a vein (intravenous, or IV).
Medication Choices
Nonprescription medicines
- Gentian violet (1%) is a dye that kills bacteria and fungi, including the yeast that causes thrush.
Prescription medicines
- Polyenes (such as nystatin)
- Azoles (such as clotrimazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole)
- Chlorhexidine
What To Think About
- Both polyenes and azoles cure thrush most of the time.
- An azole or nystatin is usually the first medicine used to treat thrush in children.1 The medicine is often taken as a mouth rinse or as a lozenge that the child dissolves in his or her mouth.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: August 6, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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