List of 16 Oral Thrush Medications Compared (2024)

Table of Contents
What Causes Oral Thrush? What are the Symptoms of Oral Thrush? How is Oral Thrush Treated? Drugs used to treat Oral Thrush Frequently asked questions Alternative treatments for Oral Thrush Learn more about Oral Thrush Browse treatment options Further information

Other names: Candidiasis, Oral; Moniliasis, Oral; Oral Candidiasis; Oral Moniliasis; Thrush, Oral

Oral thrush is a yeast infection that develops inside your mouth. It may also be called oral candidiasis.

What Causes Oral Thrush?

Oral thrush is caused by a yeast called Candida Albicans (C. Albicans) that is a type of fungus.

See Also
Best Oral Thrush Mouthwash (Full Review)Oral Thrush Treatment: Over The Counter & Medication - K HealthHow to Get Relief for Oral ThrushHome Remedies for Oral Thrush

C. Albicans is a normal inhabitant of our mouth and usually causes no harm because it is kept in check by beneficial bacteria. Our immune system is responsible for maintaining this balance.

If our immune system becomes compromised in some way or something disrupts the quantities of beneficial bacteria (such as antibiotics), C.Albicans can grow out of control and cause thrush.

Oral thrush is more likely to develop in the very young or very old. Other people who are at risk of oral thrush include those:

  • Receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics (these can alter the balance of beneficial bacteria)
  • Prescribed oral corticosteroids or prednisone
  • Receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer as both of these treatments can damage healthy cells
  • With certain nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency or vitamin B deficiency
  • With conditions such as HIV, leukemia or other types of cancer that weaken the immune system
  • With dentures or injury or trauma to the mouth
  • With poorly treated diabetes
  • With persistent dry mouth due to disease or certain medications (such as antihistamines, diuretics)
  • Who smoke
  • With thrush elsewhere (eg, vagin*l thrush infections during pregnancy can be passed to newborns during birth).

What are the Symptoms of Oral Thrush?

Initially, symptoms may be mild and not easily noticed. As the infection worsens, creamy white or yellow spots or patches may become noticeable on the tongue, insides of the cheeks, tonsils and sometimes the gums and lips. These patches may bleed if scraped. Other symptoms may include:

  • Soreness or burning inside the mouth
  • A cotton-wool like sensation in the mouth
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • A bad taste in the mouth or loss of taste
  • The skin at the corners of your mouth may become dry and cracked.

C. Albicans can also spread to other people who come into contact with the infection (for example the nipples of mothers who are breastfeeding babies with oral thrush may become infected), although they may not develop symptoms if their immune system is strong.

See Also
Top 9 Best Mouthwashes for Oral Thrush | Buoy

How is Oral Thrush Treated?

Oral thrush may be treated using oral antifungals, antifungal lozenges, or antifungal mouthwashes. The infection usually resolves within two weeks.

It is not uncommon for infants to have several episodes of thrush in their first year of life but adults with recurring thrush should see their doctor for further investigations for any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to thrush.

Drugs used to treat Oral Thrush

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug nameRatingReviewsActivity?Rx/OTCPregnancyCSAAlcohol
nystatin4.796 reviews for nystatin to treat Oral ThrushRxCN
Generic name:
nystatin systemic
Brand name:
Bio-Statin
Drug class:
mouth and throat products, polyenes
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Diflucan6.74 reviews for Diflucan to treat Oral ThrushRxCN
Generic name:
fluconazole systemic
Drug class:
azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
fluconazole4.818 reviews for fluconazole to treat Oral ThrushRxCN
Generic name:
fluconazole systemic
Brand name:
Diflucan
Drug class:
azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
clotrimazole4.044 reviews for clotrimazole to treat Oral ThrushRxCN
Generic name:
clotrimazole systemic
Brand name:
Mycelex Troche
Drug class:
mouth and throat products, azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
miconazoleRateAdd reviewRx/OTCNN
Generic name:
miconazole topical
Drug class:
vagin*l anti-infectives, topical antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
gentian violet7.01 review for gentian violet to treat Oral ThrushRx/OTCNN
Generic name:
gentian violet topical
Drug class:
topical anti-infectives
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Mycelex Troche4.77 reviews for Mycelex Troche to treat Oral ThrushRxCN
Generic name:
clotrimazole systemic
Drug class:
mouth and throat products, azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Bio-StatinRateAdd reviewRxCN
Generic name:
nystatin systemic
Drug class:
mouth and throat products, polyenes
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
itraconazole101 review for itraconazole to treat Oral ThrushRxCN
Generic name:
itraconazole systemic
Brand name:
Sporanox
Drug class:
azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
ketoconazoleOff-label1.52 reviews for ketoconazole to treat Oral ThrushRxCNX
Generic name:
ketoconazole systemic
Drug class:
azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Sporanox101 review for Sporanox to treat Oral ThrushRxCN
Generic name:
itraconazole systemic
Drug class:
azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
miconazoleRateAdd reviewRxCN
Generic name:
miconazole systemic
Brand name:
Oravig
Drug class:
azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
amphotericin bRateAdd reviewRxBN
Generic name:
amphotericin b systemic
Drug class:
polyenes
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Noxafil0.01 review for Noxafil to treat Oral ThrushRxCNX
Generic name:
posaconazole systemic
Drug class:
azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
OravigRateAdd reviewRxCN
Generic name:
miconazole systemic
Drug class:
azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
posaconazole0.01 review for posaconazole to treat Oral ThrushRxCNX
Generic name:
posaconazole systemic
Brand name:
Noxafil
Drug class:
azole antifungals
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

  • What Causes Bad Breath? 9 Ways to Improve Halitosis

Alternative treatments for Oral Thrush

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Oral Thrush. Their efficacymay not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical,cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Oral Thrush.

  • Lactobacillus acidophilus

Learn more about Oral Thrush

Care guides

  • Oral Candidiasis

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

RatingFor ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
ActivityActivity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
RxPrescription only.
OTCOver-the-counter.
Rx/OTCPrescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-labelThis medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUAAn Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded AccessExpanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
AAdequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
BAnimal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
CAnimal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
DThere is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
XStudies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
NFDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
MThe drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
UCSA Schedule is unknown.
NIs not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
XInteracts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circ*mstances.

Medical Disclaimer

List of 16 Oral Thrush Medications Compared (2024)
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