Coal tar preparations have been used, for many years, when recommended by a doctor to treat children however, there is very little documented clinical data in this patient population. It is not known whether the topical application of coal tar preparations could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable amounts in breast milk.

This medicine is for topical application to the scalp. The hair should be rinsed and a sufficient amount of shampoo applied to produce an abundant lather. Topical coal tar overdose may increase the rate of skin irritation and photosensitivity. (s ee section 4.8).High dose administration of coal tar to laboratory animals is carcinogenic However, epidemiological evidence that includes prospective and retrospective studies in thousands of patients receiving coal tar therapy followed for more than 40 years do not suggest a potential increased risk of skin or systemic cancer. Avoid using the product if you are sensitive to any of the ingredients. Tar products may cause skin irritation, rashes, and rarely, photosensitivity. If you experience irritation or any other unwanted effects ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. The scalp and adjacent areas should be massaged with the fingertips. The hair should then be thoroughly rinsed and the procedure repeated. Taking both of these shampoo applications into consideration, the total leave on time for the shampoo should be 3-5 minutes.

Seek advice before using if you are breast feeding, pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or suffer from allergies. This medicine may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, sunlamps should not be used and deliberate or prolonged exposure of the scalp to sunlight should be avoided or minimised.In a study using a variety of coal tar preparations total urinary poly aromatic hydrocarbons were significantly elevated in patients treated dermally for different forms of dermatoses. The treatment period was for an average of 7 days using 1.5% - 40% coal tar preparations over a body surface area that ranged from 9 to 90%. Therefore some of the hydrocarbons present in coal tar may be absorbed through the skin. The highest levels absorbed depend largely on the body surface area treated and on the duration of exposure.

Use of coal tar preparations during lactation should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the infant. Alopecia, dermatitis, hair colour changes, abnormal hair texture, photosensitivity reaction, skin irritation (including dry skin, erythema, and skin burning sensation).This is a medicine; Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have an underlying medical condition, are taking any other medication or complementary therapy, or if symptoms persist. Polytar scalp shampoo with coal tar is effective in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, dandruff and other dry skin conditions that may affect the scalp. Polytar Scalp Shampoo should be used once or twice a week. Wet the hair and massage into the scalp and surrounding skin. Rinse thoroughly and repeat. Use of this medicine during pregnancy should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the foetus. This medicine contains 1g benzyl alcohol per 100g of shampoo. Benzyl alcohol may cause allergic reactions and mild local irritation.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are listed below by MedDRA system organ class and by frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 and <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 and <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 and <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), including isolated reports and Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Many of the hydrocarbons will be subject to extensive metabolic transformation by both oxidation and conjugation. Drug-metabolizing enzymes (both in the skin and systemically) may be induced by coal tar application. Tar preparations have been used extensively for over 50 years in the management of various skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and other dermatoses. The precise mechanism of action is uncertain. Coal tars are known to suppress DNA synthesis in hyperplasic skin, inhibiting mitotic activity and protein synthesis. They decrease epidermal proliferation and dermal infiltration and thus promote a return to normal keratinisation. Coal tar has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antipruritic, keratolytic, keratoplastic and vasoconstrictive effects. Coal tar has been shown to be foetotoxic and teratogenic to the offspring of laboratory animals when administered topically, orally or by inhalation at high and maternally toxic doses (see section 5.3).