Tars for psoriasis

Tar products used to treat psoriasis come in a variety of forms. Most tar products are available without a prescription.

Coal tar gel, cream, ointment, liquid, or shampoo

Coal tar solutions used in baths

Tar therapy usually starts with a product that contains only a small amount of tar. The amount may be increased every few days (unless your symptoms aren't improving or you have side effects).

Tar products may be used with ultraviolet B (UVB) light therapy. This is called Goeckerman treatment. This combination may be given to a person who is in the hospital, usually over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. It may also be given in sessions at a doctor's office, at a psoriasis day care center, or at home. A session usually lasts 8 hours, and 1 to 6 sessions per week are needed.

The Ingram regimen combines bathing with a coal tar product, applying anthralin cream, and getting UVB light therapy. The treatment takes about 3 weeks and can be done in the hospital or in a day treatment program.

Coal tar makes psoriasis plaques thinner and less red.

Coal tar helps increase the effectiveness of other treatments, such as ultraviolet light or corticosteroid creams.

Coal tar products are used to treat mild or severe psoriasis plaque that affects small areas of the skin.

When psoriasis covers more of the body, tar may be used together with UVB light therapy.

Tars have been used to treat psoriasis for many years, but studies disagree about how effective they are.¹

Generally, tar in combination with UVB light is thought to be more effective than tar alone.

Coal tar preparations are generally felt to be safe. There have been some concerns of cancer-causing chemicals in coal tar, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that the chemical concentrations in nonprescription coal tar are at safe levels. Use coal tar carefully when the skin rash is inflamed or is near the eyes or in skin folds.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Coal tar therapies are messy and time-consuming.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

1. Naldi L, Rzany B (2004). Chronic plaque psoriasis. Clinical Evidence (12): 1–5.

Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH	Last Updated January 6, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. For more information, click here.