Psoriasis Help Organisation - Online Psoriasis Forum

Topical Medicines

Listed below are the topical medicines prescribed by GPs and dermatologists for psoriasis (all types). The prescribing physician will inform you, the patient, of application amounts and the duration of your treatment. If you have any questions about your treatment always direct them to the prescribing physician.

If the topical treatment contains a corticosteroid the ‘strength’ of this ingredient is stated within brackets. These are classed as such by the BNF (British National Formulary). Using common sense, the stronger the steroid the shorter the treatment duration should be. It is also advisable to understand the possibility of rebound flare of your psoriasis if using a steroid-based topical and how to combat this. Ask your prescribing doctor for advice and information.

Other information and experiences of the topical treatments can be found within the PHO Forums.

PO by the side of the brand name means ‘Prescription-Only’ and this treatment can only be prescribed within the NHS by a doctor or privately by a consultant dermatologist (charges may apply if prescribed out of the NHS). They cannot be bought over-the-counter at a pharmacy.

Coal Tar

Non-proprietary preparations normally for use as in-patient as difficult to obtain out-patient and messy for self-use:

• Calamine and Coal Tar Ointment BP containing calamine 12.5g, strong coal tar solution 2.5g, zinc oxide 12.5g. 
• Coal Tar and Salicylic Acid Ointment BP containing coal tar 2g, salicylic acid 2g. 
• Coal Tar Paste BP containing strong coal tar solution 7.5% in zinc paste. 
• Zinc and Coal Tar Paste BP containing zinc oxide 6% and coal tar 6%.

Proprietary Preparations:

• Alphosyl (Stafford-Miller)

2in1 shampoo containing alcoholic coal tar extract 5%. 

• Carbo-dome (Lagap Pharma)

Coal tar-based cream containing coal tar solution 10%. 

• Capasal (Dermal)

Shampoo containing coal tar 1%, coconut oil 1% and salicylic acid 0.5%. 

• Clinitar (Cambridge Healthcare Supplies)

Cream containing 1% coal tar solution and shampoo containing coal tar extract 2%. 

• Cocois (Celltech)

Scalp ointment with coal tar solution 12%, salicylic acid 2% in coconut oil base. 

•  Exorex (Forest)

Lotion with prepared coal tar 1% in an emollient base. 

• Polytar AF (Steifel)

Shampoo containing arachis (peanut oil), extract of coal tar 0.3%, coal tar solution 0.1% and pine tar 0.3%. 

• Psoriaderm (Dermal)

Cream containing coal tar 6% and scalp lotion/shampoo containing coal tar 2.5%.

Coal Tar with Corticosteroids:

• Alphosyl (Stafford-Miller) PO

Cream containing coal tar extract 5% and hydrocortisone 0.5% (mild). NOTE: Alphosyl without HC is no longer available in the UK.

Prev - Next >>