Coal tar extract shampoo
- Drugs List
- Therapeutic Indications
- Dosage
- Contraindications
- Precautions and Warnings
- Pregnancy and Lactation
- Side Effects
- Monograph
Presentation
Shampoo containing coal tar extract
Drugs List
Therapeutic Indications
Uses
Dandruff
Psoriasis - scalp
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Dosage
Adults
Apply liberal amounts and massage into the scalp, leave for several minutes before rinsing. Repeat.
Some manufacturers recommend a total contact time of 3 to 5 minutes.
The 2% product should be used 2 to 3 times a week for 6 weeks.
The 5% product should be used 1 to 2 times a week for 4 weeks.
Independent of strength longer periods of treatment should only be completed on the advice of a doctor.
Elderly
Apply liberal amounts and massage into the scalp, leave for several minutes before rinsing. Repeat.
Some manufacturers recommend a total contact time of 3 to 5 minutes.
The 2% product should be used 2 to 3 times a week for 6 weeks.
The 5% product should be used 1 to 2 times a week for 4 weeks.
Independent of strength longer periods of treatment should only be completed on the advice of a doctor.
Children
Children over 12 years
Apply liberal amounts and massage into the scalp, leave for several minutes before rinsing. Repeat.
Some manufacturers recommend a total contact time of 3 to 5 minutes.
The 2% product should be used 2 to 3 times a week for 6 weeks.
The 5% product should be used 1 to 2 times a week for 4 weeks.
Independent of strength longer periods of treatment should only be completed on the advice of a doctor.
Children under 12 years
Contraindicated
Contraindications
Abraded or inflamed skin
Children under 12 years
Precautions and Warnings
Breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Not licensed for use in children under 12 years
Contains butylated hydroxytoluene - May irritate skin/eyes/mucous membranes
Contains hydroxybenzoate
Avoid contact with eyes
If accidental contact with the eyes occurs, rinse thoroughly with water
Discontinue if local irritation occurs
Advise patient that photosensitivity possible
Stains clothes and skin
Stains hair
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy
Use with caution in pregnancy.
Manufacturer's advise not to use during pregnancy, unless risks and benefits assessed with doctor.
The use of all medication in pregnancy should be avoided whenever possible; particularly in the first trimester. Non-drug treatments should also be considered. When essential, a medication with the best safety record over time should be chosen, employing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Polypharmacy should be avoided. Teratogens taken in the pre-embryonic period, often quoted as lasting until 14 to 17 days post-conception, are believed to have an all-or-nothing effect. Where drugs have a short half-life, and when the date of conception is certain, this may allow women to be reassured where drug exposure has occurred within this time frame. Further advice may be available from the UK National Teratology Information Service (NTIS) and through ToxBase, available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).
Lactation
Use with caution in breastfeeding.
Manufacturer's advise not to use during breastfeeding, unless risks and benefits assessed with doctor.
Neonates, infants born prematurely, those with low birth weight, those with an unstable gastrointestinal function or who have serious illnesses may require special consideration. For any infant, if a drug is prescribed to the nursing mother, it should be at the lowest practical dose and for the shortest time. When drug administration is unavoidable and breastfeeding is to continue, minimisation of exposure of the infant to the drug may sometimes be achieved by timing the maternal doses to just after a feeding episode. Infants exposed to drugs via breast milk should be monitored for unusual signs or symptoms. Interactions between the drug received by the infant from the mother's milk and medication prescribed for the infant should also be considered, for example, when the drug given to the infant may prevent metabolism of the drug received via breast milk.
Specialist advice is available from the UK Drugs in Lactation Advisory Service at https://www.midlandsmedicines.nhs.uk/content.asp?section=6&subsection=17&pageIdx=1
Side Effects
Acne-like eruptions
Angioedema
Application site reaction
Hair loss
Hypersensitivity reactions
Skin photosensitivity
Skin reactions
Stained hair
Stained skin and clothing
Overdosage
It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.
The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111
Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).
Further Information
Last Full Review Date: October 2015
Reference Sources
Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary(online) London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press Accessed on 08 October 2015.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Alphosyl 2 in 1 Shampoo. Omega Pharma Ltd. Revised July 2015.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo. Johnson & Johnson Limited. Revised January 2014.
Medscape UK | Univadis prescription drug monographs & interactions are based on FDB Multilex Content
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