Fungal Diseases

Treatment & Outcomes of Oral Candidiasis

Candida infections of the mouth and throat must be treated with prescription antifungal medication. The type and duration of treatment depends on the severity of the infection and patient-specific factors such as age and immune status. Untreated infections can lead to a more serious form of invasive candidiasis.

Oral candidiasis usually responds to topical treatments such as clotrimazole troches and nystatin suspension (nystatin “swish and swallow”). Systemic antifungal medication such as fluconazole or itraconazole may be necessary for oropharyngeal infections that do not respond to these treatments.

Candida esophagitis is typically treated with oral or intravenous fluconazole or oral itraconazole. For severe or azole-resistant esophageal candidiasis, treatment with amphotericin B may be necessary.

For healthcare providers: the most up-to-date clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of oropharyngeal / esophageal candidiasis are available at the Infectious Diseases Society of America.