Liquor Carbonis Detergens (Topical)

Generic name: coal tar (topical route) [ kole-tar ]
Drug class:Miscellaneous topical agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 14, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Betatar Gel
• Cutar Emulsion
• Denorex
• DHS Tar
• Doak Tar
• Duplex T
• Fototar
• Ionil-T Plus
• Medotar
• MG 217
• Neutrogena T/Derm
• Neutrogena T/Gel

In Canada

• Estar
• Liquor Carbonis Detergens
• Psorigel
• Spectro Tar Skin Wash
• Tar Distillate

Available Dosage Forms:

• Shampoo
• Foam
• Ointment
• Liquid
• Solution
• Gel/Jelly
• Lotion

Therapeutic Class: Keratolytic

Uses for Liquor Carbonis Detergens

Coal tar is used to treat eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other skin disorders.

Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using Liquor Carbonis Detergens

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Coal tar products should not be used on infants, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of Liquor Carbonis Detergens

This ...