Editing Coal tar (section)

=== Medicinal ===
Coal tar is on the [[World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines]], the most effective and safe medicines needed in a [[health system]].<ref name="WHO21st"/> Coal tar is generally available as a [[generic medication]] and [[over the counter]].<ref name="Ric2015" />

Coal tar is used in medicated [[shampoo]], [[Wrights Coal Tar Soap|soap]] and [[ointment]]. It demonstrates [[antifungal]], [[anti-inflammatory]], [[antipruritic|anti-itch]], and [[antiparasitic]] properties.<ref name="Mai2011" /> It may be applied topically as a treatment for [[dandruff]] and [[psoriasis]], and to kill and repel [[head lice]].<ref name="WHO2008"/> It may be used in combination with [[ultraviolet light therapy]].<ref name="WHO2008" />

Coal tar may be used in two forms: crude coal tar ({{langx|la|pix carbonis}}) or a coal tar solution ({{langx|la|liquor picis carbonis, LPC}}) also known as liquor carbonis detergens (LCD).<ref name="Mai2011"/><ref name="Pharmacyaus">{{cite book|title=Clinical pharmacy : a practical approach - Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia| vauthors = Hughes J, Donnelly R, James-Chatgilaou G |date=2001|publisher=Macmillan Publishers Australia|isbn=9780732980290|location=South Yarra|page=114}}</ref><ref name="paghdal">{{cite journal | vauthors = Paghdal KV, Schwartz RA | title = Topical tar: back to the future | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | volume = 61 | issue = 2 | pages = 294–302 | date = August 2009 | pmid = 19185953 | doi = 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.11.024 }}</ref> Named brands include Denorex, Balnetar, Psoriasin, Tegrin, T/Gel, and Neutar. When used in the extemporaneous preparation of topical medications, it is supplied in the form of coal tar topical solution [[United States Pharmacopeia|USP]], which consists of a [[Mass concentration (chemistry)|20% w/v]] solution of coal tar in [[ethanol|alcohol]], with an additional 5% w/v of [[polysorbate 80]]&nbsp;USP; this must then be diluted in an ointment base, such as [[petrolatum]].