Coal Tar

Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.

• Use controls the symptom of: dandruff seborrheic dermatitis psoriasisICD-10: L40.9

Directions for best results use at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor wet hair thoroughly massage shampoo into the scalp lather, leave on hair and scalp for several minutes. rinse and repeat

For external use only. Ask a doctor before using this product if condition covers a large area of the body. When using this product avoid contact with the eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water use caution in exposing skin to sunlight after applying this product. It may increase your tendency to sunburn for up to 24 hours after application. do not use for prolonged periods without consulting a doctor. do not use this product with other forms of psoriasis therapy such as ultraviolet radiation or prescription drugs unless directed to do so by a doctor. Stop use and ask a doctor if condition worsens or does not improve after regular use of this product as directed. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) right away.

1. 1Psoriasis41554%
2. 2Malaise29038%
3. 3Fatigue25934%
4. 4Pain24332%
5. 5Nasopharyngitis22730%
6. 6Skin Exfoliation21428%
7. 7Fall21228%
8. 8Pyrexia21228%
9. 9Nausea21127%
10. 10Cough21027%
11. 11Rhinorrhoea21027%
12. 12Anxiety20827%
13. 13Vomiting20727%
14. 14Influenza20627%
15. 15Pneumonia20427%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Coal Tar as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Factors Associated With Treatment Response in Granuloma Annulare.
  Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine · 2026 · Toubiana S, Glazer Michael E, Lozinski A, et al.
  PMID 41963770DOI 10.1111/phpp.70093
• Enhancement of biodegradation of tar-rich coal through sequential treatment by N. mangyaensis and Ochrobactrum sp.
  Scientific reports · 2025 · Shen W, Liu X, Mu X, et al.
  PMID 40595387DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-08899-y
• Dynamic characteristics of metabolism and small extracellular vesicles during malignant transformation of BEAS-2B cells induced by coal tar pitch extract.
  Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) · 2025 · Liu X, Ding L, Zhang A, et al.
  PMID 40154873DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126108
• Identifying an indicator compound for progress monitoring during in-situ thermal treatment of coal tar and creosote.
  Journal of contaminant hydrology · 2025 · Price LM, Nunez Garcia A, Mumford KG, et al.
  PMID 40112581DOI 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104543
• The effect of sub-boiling temperatures on mass transfer from former manufactured gas plant residuals.
  Journal of contaminant hydrology · 2025 · Wei Y, Mumford KG, Thomson NR, et al.
  PMID 39884069DOI 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2025.104508
• Contribution of Coal Tar Sources to Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds and Associated Ecological Risk in Lake Ontario Sediments: Inference from a Novel Marker.
  Environmental science & technology · 2025 · Zhang X, Bowman DT, Diamond ML, et al.
  PMID 39870568DOI 10.1021/acs.est.4c10360
• Evaluation and modelling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) bioavailability in soils affected by coal tar asphalt.
  Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) · 2024 · Larsson MO, Arp HPH, Carabante I, et al.
  PMID 38971489DOI 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124481
• Molecular Characteristics of Catalytic Nitrogen Removal from Coal Tar Pitch over γ-Alumina-Supported NiMo and CoMo Catalysts.
  International journal of molecular sciences · 2023 · Choi KH, Seo DJ, Kim YJ, et al.
  PMID 37511556DOI 10.3390/ijms241411793

The 10 most recently updated of 39,582 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Coal Tar as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Research on Outpatient Adolescent Treatment for Comorbid Substance Use and Internalizing Disorders
  Completed · Interventional · 140 enrolled · Medical University of South Carolina
  NCT01117753updated 2026-06-12
• A Study of the Drug Selinexor With Radiation Therapy in Patients With Newly-Diagnosed Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine (DIPG) Glioma and High-Grade Glioma (HGG)
  Recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 132 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  NCT05099003updated 2026-06-12
• Locoregional Administration of Genetically Engineered Cells (EGFR/IL13Rα2 Pool-CAR T Cells) for the Treatment of Recurrent or Progressive High-Grade Gliomas
  Recruiting · Phase 1 · Interventional · 24 enrolled · City of Hope Medical Center
  NCT07544992updated 2026-06-12
• Comparison of Proton or Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy After Surgery for Endometrial or Cervical Cancer
  Active not recruiting · Interventional · 120 enrolled · Mayo Clinic
  NCT04567771updated 2026-06-12
• A Study to Compare Blinatumomab Alone to Blinatumomab With Nivolumab in Patients Diagnosed With First Relapse B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 461 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  NCT04546399updated 2026-06-12
• A Study With Tovorafenib (DAY101) as a Treatment Option for Progressive, Relapsed, or Refractory Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 48 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  NCT05828069updated 2026-06-12
• Safty and Efficacy of MCI Network Guided TMS for Early Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized, Double-blind Trial
  Completed · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Anhui Medical University
  NCT07138677updated 2026-06-12
• Gluten-Free vs Mediterranean Diet in Rheumatoid Arthritis
  Recruiting · Interventional · 66 enrolled · Hasan Kalyoncu University
  NCT07646262updated 2026-06-12
• A Study to Find the Highest Dose of Cedazuridine and Decitabine Combination With Filgrastim as a Treatment Option After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Children With High-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia
  Recruiting · Phase 1 · Interventional · 47 enrolled · National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  NCT07012044updated 2026-06-12
• Efficacy and Safety of the CloB2M (Clofarabine Combined With Busulfan and Melphalan) Conditioning Regimen in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Adult Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia in First Complete Remission
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 30 enrolled · Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, China
  NCT07644481updated 2026-06-12

Frequently asked questions

How does Coal Tar work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction.

What is Coal Tar used for?

According to FDA labeling, Coal Tar carries indications including: Use controls the symptom of: dandruff seborrheic dermatitis psoriasis. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Coal Tar?

Coal Tar is classified as Unknown Cellular or Molecular Interaction, Antipruritic Activity, Photosensitizing Activity.

What are the brand names for Coal Tar?

Coal Tar is marketed under brand names including Ala Seb T, Balnetar, Betatar Gel, Cutar, DHS Tar Shampoo, Denorex Therapeutic Reformulated Mar 2013, Ionil T, MG 217 Psoriasis.