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.

Coal Tar Cream is indicated for psoriasis. Soritar Cream has a keratoplastic and antipruritic effect in psoriasis.

Adults and children over 12 years of age: Ensure that the lesions are clean. Apply a thin layer of Coal Tar Cream two or three times a day on to the affected areas massage in gently and leave to dry.

For young children under 12 years of age and the elderly: The emulsion may be diluted by mixing it with a few drops of cooled freshly boiled in the palm of the hand.

Administration

For topical application only.

Coal Tar should not be used when a patient has known sensitivity to Coal Tar or any of the other ingredients. If you have folliculitis and acne vulgaris. Coal Tar Cream should not be used on patients who have disease characterised by photosensitivity such as lupus erythematosus or allergy to sunlight. Coal Tar Cream should not be applied to inflamed or broken skin. Warnings and precautions: For topical administration only. Coal Tar Cream may cause skin irritation, should this occur the treatment should be reviewed and if necessary discontinued. Coal Tar enhances photosensitivity of the skin after applying Coal Tar Cream exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided. Use with care near the eyes and mucous membranes. If any emulsion should accidentally enter the eye, flush with normal saline solution or water. Do not apply to genital and rectal areas. Apply with caution to the face do not get in the eyes. Hydrogenated polyoxyl castor oil may cause skin reactions. Methyl and propyl hydroxybenzoates may cause allergic reactions that might be cause a delayed reaction.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Skin irritation, photosensitivity of the skin, Coal Tar 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 Coal Tar Cream and UVB radiation has been reported. However epidemiological studies of patients treated with Coal Tar Cream on its own are inconclusive. The risk of toxicity should be taken into account when considering the prescribing this product for the patient.

Overdose Effects

There is no evidence that an overdose of topical Coal Tar Cream would be harmful other than a hypersensitivity to coal tar. Ingestion of Coal Tar Cream may require gastric lavage depending on the quantity taken and should be treated symptomatically.

Pregnancy & Lactation

There is no direct evidence of the safety in pregnant and lactating mother. Coal tar preparations have been in use for many years without apparent ill-consequence. No harmful effects on the health of the child is anticipated with the proper use of coal tar. However it is recommended that the use of coal tar in pregnancy and lactation is restricted to intermittent use in low concentrations on a small percentage of body’s surface, use during the first trimester be avoided.