Medotar (Topical)

Generic name: coal tar (kole tar)
Brand names: Betatar Gel, Cutar Emulsion, Denorex, DHS Tar, Doak Tar, ... show all 12 brands Duplex T, Fototar, Ionil-T Plus, Medotar, MG 217, Neutrogena T/Derm, Neutrogena T/Gel
Drug class: Miscellaneous topical agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 24, 2024.

Uses for Medotar

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 Medotar

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.

Breast Feeding

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 Medotar

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

After applying coal tar, protect the treated area from direct sunlight and do not use a sunlamp for 72 hours, unless otherwise directed by your doctor, since a severe reaction may occur. Also, make sure you have removed all the coal tar medicine from your skin before you go back into direct sunlight or use a sunlamp.

Do not apply this medicine to infected, blistered, raw, or oozing areas of the skin.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes. If you should accidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water at once.

To use the cream or ointment form of this medicine:

• Apply enough medicine to cover the affected area, and rub in gently.

To use the gel form of this medicine:

• Apply enough gel to cover the affected area, and rub in gently. Allow the gel to remain on the affected area for 5 minutes, then remove excess gel by patting with a clean tissue.

To use the shampoo form of this medicine:

• Wet the scalp and hair with lukewarm water. Apply a generous amount of shampoo and rub into the scalp, then rinse. Apply the shampoo again, working up a rich lather, and allow to remain on the scalp for 5 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly.

To use the nonshampoo liquid form of this medicine:

• Some of these preparations are to be applied directly to dry or wet skin, some are to be added to lukewarm bath water, and some may be applied directly to dry or wet skin or added to lukewarm bath water. Make sure you know exactly how you should use this medicine. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• If this medicine is to be applied directly to the skin, apply enough to cover the affected area, and rub in gently.
• Some of these preparations contain alcohol and are flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other skin disorders:
  • For cleansing bar dosage form:
    • Adults—Use one or two times a day, or as directed by your doctor.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For cream dosage form:
    • Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin up to four times a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For gel dosage form:
    • Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin one or two times a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For lotion dosage form:
    • Adults—Apply directly to the affected area(s) of the skin or use as a bath, hand or foot soak, or as a hair rinse, depending on the product.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For ointment dosage form:
    • Adults—Apply to the affected area(s) of the skin two or three times a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For shampoo dosage form:
    • Adults—Use once a day to once a week or as directed by your doctor.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For topical solution dosage form:
    • Adults—Apply to wet the skin or scalp, or use as a bath, depending on the product.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For topical suspension dosage form:
    • Adults—Use as a bath.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Related/similar drugs

Humira, Ilumya, Cosentyx, prednisone, methotrexate, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone topical, ketoconazole topical, Decadron, cyclosporine

Precautions while using Medotar

If this medicine is used on the scalp, it may temporarily discolor blond, bleached, or tinted hair.

Coal tar may stain the skin or clothing. Avoid getting it on your clothing. The stain on the skin will wear off after you stop using the medicine.

Side Effects of Medotar

In animal studies, coal tar has been shown to increase the chance of skin cancer.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Skin irritation not present before use of this medicine
• skin rash

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Stinging (mild)—especially for gel and solution dosage forms

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer