Coal Tar (On the skin)

kole tar

Relieves drying, itching, flaking, scaling, or irritation of the skin caused by psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis.

Drug classes

Antipruritic, Antipsoriatic, Antiseborrheic, Keratolytic (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Coal tar is used to treat eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other skin disorders.

Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Cream, Liquid, Shampoo, Foam, Soap

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

Use this medicine only on your skin. Rinse it off right away if it gets on a cut or scrape. Do not get the medicine in your eyes, nose, or mouth. Do not use this medicine in or around your rectum or in the genital or groin area.

This medicine is not for long-term use.

You may pour 1 to 3 capfuls of Doak® Tar oil into warm bath water. You may apply Doak® Tar oil directly onto wet skin if used after you take a shower.

To use Doak® Tar shampoo, wet your hair and scalp thoroughly with water. Work the Doak® Tar shampoo into a lather and gently massage it over your whole scalp for 3 to 5 minutes before you rinse. Repeat this process one time and rinse thoroughly.

Missed dose: Apply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not put cosmetics or skin care products on the treated skin.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to coal tar.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a skin problem that involves a large area of your body. Tell your doctor if you are using other medicines or treatment for psoriasis, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Do not use this medicine to treat a skin problem your doctor has not examined.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Burning, itching, swelling, or redness in the treated skin area

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Betatar Gel, Cutar Emulsion, DHS Tar, DHS Targel, Denorex, Doak Tar, Duplex T, Estar, Fototar, Ionil-T, Ionil-T Plus, Liquor Carbonis Detergens, MG 217, MG217 Psoriasis Medicated Conditioning, Medotar, Neutrogena T/Derm, Neutrogena T/Gel, Neutrogena T/Gel Extra Strength, Psorigel, Scytera, Spectro Tar Skin Wash, Tar Distillate, Tera Gel, Therapeutic Shampoo, X-Seb T Pearl, X-Seb T Plus Conditioning Shampoo

There may be other brand names for this medicine.