Coal tar

Coal tar is the liquid by-product of the distillation of coal to make coke. The gaseous by-product produced by this process is commonly known as town gas.

Coal tar is very viscous brown or black liquid, with smell of napthalene and aromatic hydrocarbons.

It can be made into coal tar soap, and is used in medicated shampoo to kill and repel head lice and as a treatment for dandruff and psoriasis. Coal tar is also used to treat eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and other skin disorders.

Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of coal tar for your medical condition.

Coal tar is available in the following dosage forms:

• Topical Cleansing bar (U.S.)
• Cream (U.S. and Canada)
• Gel (U.S. and Canada)
• Lotion (U.S. and Canada)
• Ointment (U.S. and Canada)
• Shampoo (U.S. and Canada)
• Topical solution (U.S. and Canada)
• Topical suspension (U.S. and Canada)