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Seborrhoeic dermatitis - Management
What over-the-counter products are available for the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis?

  • Several over-the-counter products available for the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis are outlined in Table 1.
Table 1. Shampoo preparations available for seborrhoeic dermatitis.*
Proprietary name
Active ingredient(s)
Instructions for use
Mode of action of ingredients
Dandrazol® 2% shampoo, Nizoral®
Ketoconazole 2%
Apply twice weekly for 2–4 weeks (for prophylaxis, apply once every 1–2 weeks); leave preparation on for 3–5 minutes before rinsing
Antifungal
Alphosyl 2 in 1®
Alcoholic coal tar extract 5%
Use every 2–3 days
Anti-eczematous, antipruritic, antimitotic
Capasal®
Coal tar 1%,
Coconut oil 1%,
Salicylic acid 0.5%
Apply daily as necessary
Anti-eczematous, antipruritic, antimitotic
Emollient, softening agent, and lubricant
Keratolytic
Ceanel Concentrate®
Cetrimide 10%,
Undecenoic acid 1%,
Phenylethyl alcohol 7.5%
Apply 3 times in first week, then twice weekly
Antiseptic, detergent
Fungicidal
Antiseptic
Clinitar®
Coal tar extract 2%
Apply up to 3 times weekly
Anti-eczematous, antipruritic, antimitotic
Dermax®
Benzalkonium chloride 0.5%
Apply as necessary
Antiseptic, anti-dandruff
Meted®
Salicylic acid 3%,
Sulphur 5%
Apply at least twice weekly
Keratolytic
Mild antiseptic
Pentrax®
Coal tar 4.3%
Apply at least twice weekly
Anti-eczematous, antipruritic, antimitotic
Polytar AF®
Extract of coal tar 0.3%,
Coal tar solution 0.1%,
Pyrithione zinc 1%
Apply 2–3 times weekly for at least 3 weeks
Anti-eczematous, antipruritic, antimitotic
Antibacterial, antifungal
Selsun®
Selenium sulphide 2.5%
Apply twice weekly for 2 weeks, then once weekly for 2 weeks, and then as necessary
Antifungal, antiseborrhoeic
T/Gel®
Coal tar extract 2%
Apply as necessary
Anti-eczematous, antipruritic, antimitotic
Cocois®
Coal tar solution 12%,
Salicylic acid 2%,
Precipitated sulphur 4%,
Coconut oil emollient base
Apply to scalp once weekly as necessary (if severe use daily for first 3–7 days), shampoo off after 1 hour
Anti-eczematous, antipruritic, antimitotic
Keratolytic
Mild antiseptic
Emollient, softening agent, and lubricant
Sebco®
Coal tar solution 12%,
Salicylic acid 2%,
Precipitated sulphur 4%,
Coconut oil emollient base
Apply to scalp as necessary (if severe use daily for first 3–7 days), shampoo off after 1 hour
Anti-eczematous, antipruritic, antimitotic
Keratolytic
Mild antiseptic
Emollient, softening agent, and lubricant
* This list is not exhaustive.
Data from: [BNF 55, 2008]

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