Drug reference
Coal tar
Retinoid · Antipsoriatic; Antiseborrheic; Antieczematic
Also known as Coal tar distilled, Cresols, Xylenols
RetinoidAntipsoriatic; Antiseborrheic; Antieczematic
CDSCO approved
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
—
none in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Mechanism
Coal tar, a phenolic derivative, disrupts cell walls and membranes, precipitates proteins, and inactivates enzymes, exhibiting bactericidal and fungicidal properties. It also acts as an anti-proliferative agent for skin conditions like psoriasis and is effective against Malassezia yeast in seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Indications
Dry and pruritic skin conditions including eczema and dermatitisChronic eczemaSeborrhoeic dermatitisPsoriasis (chronic stable plaque psoriasis)
Dosing
- Adult
- For bath additive: 2–4 capfuls/bath, add 15–30 mL to an adult-size bath; soak for 20 minutes. For topical application: To be applied to the skin or used as a soap substitute.
- Pediatric
- To be applied to the skin or used as a soap substitute.
Contraindications
- Inflammatory forms of psoriasis
- During an inflammatory phase of psoriasis
- If significant skin irritation occurs
Side effects
Common
Skin irritationFolliculitisMakes skin and surfaces slippery
Serious
- Severe and fatal burns (with emollients, used as bath additive)
- Corrosive effects on tissues (for phenol, derivatives may cause lesser effects)
- Toxicity when absorbed (for phenol, derivatives may cause lesser effects)
- Carcinogenic effect (for phenol, derivatives may cause lesser effects)
Related guidelines
Other Retinoid drugs
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Sources: Katzung, BNF, Harriet Lane·Verified: 2026-05-10 · House clinical team