Available In
Cleansing bar, cream, gel, lotion, ointment, shampoo, liquid

Why Prescribed
To treat skin conditions including dandruff, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

How It Works
Coal tar promotes softening, dissolution, and peeling of hard, scaly, roughened, or irregular surface skin. It also has antiseptic properties and fights fungal, bacterial, and parasitic organisms.

Range and Frequency
Cleansing bar: Use 1 or 2 times a day as directed by your doctor. Cream: Apply to affected areas up to 4 times a day. Gel: Apply to affected areas 1 or 2 times a day. Lotion: Apply to affected areas as needed. Ointment: Apply to affected areas 2 or 3 times a day. Shampoo: Use once a day, once a week, or as directed by your doctor. Topical solution: Apply to skin or scalp or use in the bath, depending on product. Topical bath solution: Add appropriate amount to bath water; immerse yourself in the bath for 20 minutes. If you have any questions about its use, consult your doctor.

Onset of Effect
Unknown.

Duration of Action
Unknown.

Dietary Advice
Coal tar can be used without regard to diet.

Storage
Store in a tightly sealed container away from heat and direct light. Do not allow liquid forms to freeze.

Missed Dose
Apply it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosage schedule. Do not apply a double dose.

Stopping the Drug
If you are applying coal tar by prescription, the decision to stop using it should be made by your doctor. If you are using the drug without a prescription, you may stop treatment whenever you choose.

Prolonged Use
Do not use coal tar for longer than your physician prescribes.

Over 60
Coal tar is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older patients than it does in younger persons.

Driving and Hazardous Work
The use of coal tar should not impair your ability to perform such tasks safely.

Alcohol
No special restrictions apply.

Pregnancy
Studies of coal tar use during pregnancy have not been done in animals or humans. Before you use coal tar, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breast Feeding
It is not known if coal tar passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor for specific advice.

Infants and Children
Use and dose in infants and children must be determined by your doctor.

Special Concerns
For external use only. Keep coal tar away from the eyes. If you accidentally get some of the medicine in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water. After applying coal tar, protect the treated area from sunlight for 72 hours, and be sure to remove all coal tar before being exposed to sunlight or using a sunlamp . Do not apply coal tar to infected, blistered, raw, or oozing areas of the skin.

Overdose Symptoms
None reported.

What to Do
Emergency instructions not applicable.

Drug Interactions
Consult your doctor for specific advice if you are using tetracyclines, psoralens, or retinoids. Also tell your doctor if you are using any other prescription or over-the-counter medication.

Food Interactions
No known food interactions.

Disease Interactions
You should not use coal tar if you have had a prior allergic reaction to it.