Coal tar (Topical)

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

Some of these products are available only with a doctor's prescription.

If this medicine is applied to the scalp, it may temporarily change the color of blond, bleached, or tinted hair.

Coal tar can stain the skin or clothing. Be careful not to get it on your clothes. Any stain on the skin will fade after you stop using the medicine.

In deciding to use a medicine, you need to think about the risks of taking it compared to the benefits it may provide. This is a choice you will make with your doctor. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare provider about any other allergies you may have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Coal tar products should not be used on infants unless your doctor specifically tells you to do so. Studies on this medicine have only been conducted in adults, and there is no specific information comparing its use in children to other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be clear if they work the same way as they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects in older people. There is no specific information comparing the use of this medicine in the elderly to other age groups.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medicine has minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare provider about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

In animal studies, coal tar has been shown to increase the chance of skin cancer.

Along with its intended effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Skin irritation not present before use of this medicine
• Skin rash

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also know ways to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Stinging (mild)—especially with gel and solution forms

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

In the U.S.

• Betatar Gel
• Cutar Emulsion
• Denorex
• DHS Tar
• Doak Tar
• Duplex T
• Fototar
• Ionil-T Plus
• Medotar
• MG 217
• Neutrogena T/Derm
• Neutrogena T/Gel

In Canada

• Estar
• Liquor Carbonis Detergens
• Psorigel
• Spectro Tar Skin Wash
• Tar Distillate

Available Dosage Forms:

• Shampoo
• Foam
• Ointment
• Liquid
• Solution
• Gel/Jelly
• Lotion

Therapeutic Class: Keratolytic

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

After applying coal tar, protect the treated area from direct sunlight and do not use a sunlamp for 72 hours, unless otherwise directed by your doctor, since a severe reaction may occur. Also, make sure you have removed all the coal tar medicine from your skin before you go back into direct sunlight or use a sunlamp.

Do not apply this medicine to infected, blistered, raw, or oozing areas of the skin.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes. If you should accidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water at once.

To use the cream or ointment form of this medicine:

• Apply enough medicine to cover the affected area, and rub in gently.

To use the gel form of this medicine:

• Apply enough gel to cover the affected area, and rub in gently. Allow the gel to remain on the affected area for 5 minutes, then remove excess gel by patting with a clean tissue.

To use the shampoo form of this medicine:

• Wet the scalp and hair with lukewarm water. Apply a generous amount of shampoo and rub into the scalp, then rinse. Apply the shampoo again, working up a rich lather, and allow to remain on the scalp for 5 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly.

To use the nonshampoo liquid form of this medicine:

• Some of these preparations are to be applied directly to dry or wet skin, some are to be added to lukewarm bath water, and some may be applied directly to dry or wet skin or added to lukewarm bath water. Make sure you know exactly how you should use this medicine. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• If this medicine is to be applied directly to the skin, apply enough to cover the affected area, and rub in gently.
• Some of these preparations contain alcohol and are flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other skin disorders: For cleansing bar dosage form: Adults—Use one or two times a day, or as directed by your doctor. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For cream dosage form: Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin up to four times a day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For gel dosage form: Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin one or two times a day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For lotion dosage form: Adults—Apply directly to the affected area(s) of the skin or use as a bath, hand or foot soak, or as a hair rinse, depending on the product. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For ointment dosage form: Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two or three times a day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For shampoo dosage form: Adults—Use once a day to once a week or as directed by your doctor. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For topical solution dosage form: Adults—Apply to wet the skin or scalp, or use as a bath, depending on the product. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For topical suspension dosage form: Adults—Use as a bath. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

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

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.