Coal Tar
Indications
Coal Tar is used for:
Psoriasis, Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Adult Dose
Apply a thin layer of Cream two or three times a day on to the affected areas massage in gently and leave to dry, decrease frequency to 2-3 times/week once improvement observed
Child Dose
Safety & efficacy not established
Renal Dose
Administration
Contra Indications
Application to inflamed or broken skin.
Precautions
Use with caution on the face, near eyes and mucous membranes. Do not apply to genital or rectal areas. Avoid use in patient with exacerbation of psoriasis. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and sunlamps for at least 24-72 hr after application. May stain clothes and hair. If undergoing Goeckerman treatment, all coal tar preparation should be removed from skin before exposure to radiation. Pregnancy and lactation.
Lactation: Unknown
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: Unknown
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Coal Tar :
Stinging/burning of skin, Desquamation, Folliculitis. Coal tar may cause discoloration or staining.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Skin irritation, photosensitivity of the skin, Cream may cause acne-like eruptions of the skin. There is an increased risk of skin cancer in psoriatic patients treated with a combination of this Cream and UVB radiation has been reported.
Mechanism of Action
Coal tar has antipruritic, keratoplastic and keratolytic properties. It slows down excessive epidermal cell turnover and is often used topically either alone or in combination with other drugs (e.g. salicyclic acid, sulfur) in conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis.