Polytar Liquid
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Polytar Liquid
Tar Blend 1% w/w
Please read right through this leaflet before you start using this medicine.
This medicine is available without prescription, but you still need to use Polytar Liquid carefully to get the best results from it.
- Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
- If you have any questions or if there is anything you do not understand ask your pharmacist.
In this leaflet:
1. What this medicine does.
2. Check before you use this medicine
3. How to take this medicine
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store this medicine
6. Further information
1. What this medicine does
Polytar Liquid is a medicated shampoo scalp treatment, used to treat itchy and scaly scalp conditions including psoriasis, seborrhoea, eczema, pruritus, dandruff and allergic and itchy dermatoses (skin conditions).
Polytar Liquid can also help remove ointments and pastes following psoriasis treatment.
Polytar Liquid contains tar blend as an active ingredient. This is a thick, heavy oil which can reduce scales, inflammation and itchiness.
2. Check before you use this medicine [X] Do not use Polytar Liquid
- if you have ever had an allergic reaction to coal tar, peanuts*, soya or any other ingredients (listed in Section 6).
- Do not use on infected open or damaged skin, or pus-filled blisters
(pustules).
[!] Take care with this medicine:
- Avoid contact with the eyes. If it gets in your eyes, rinse with clean water.
- Avoid exposure to strong sunlight or sun beds. If exposure cannot be avoided, wear protective clothing and sunscreen.
- Can stain i skin, clothes and can rarely cause a temporary change in hair colour.
[!] If you are taking other medicines:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are taking any prescribed medicines particularly ones that may make you more sensitive to sunlight such as thiazides (water tablets), some antibiotics and tranquilizers.
[!] Pregnancy and breast feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking this product if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Do not use this medicine if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. If used during breast feeding (after consultation with your doctor), make sure all coal tar is washed off the breast before feeding.
3. How to take this medicine
K] Wet hair. Apply enough Polytar Liquid to produce an abundant lather while massaging into the scalp and adjacent areas. Rinse and repeat. Use once or twice weekly.
If your condition does not improve after 4 weeks, you should seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
KEEP OUT OF REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN
Do not use after the expiry date shown.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Polytar Liquid can have side effects, but not everybody gets them. A small number of people have had side effects.
Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you
experience:
- Allergic reactions which may be severe such as itching, swelling (including that of the lips and throat),
- Difficulty breathing or breathlessness
- Rash, pain or swelling
- Eye irritation
- A reaction to sunlight, skin irritation, dry skin, redness and burning
- Abnormal hair loss or changes to the colour or texture of hair.
If you do get any side effects, even those not mentioned in the leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. How to store Polytar Liquid
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use this medicine after the 'EXP' date shown on the pack.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
Active ingredients (w/w): tar blend* 1% w/w which consists of, pine tar, cade oil, coal tar solution and arachis oil (peanut oil)* extract of coal tar.
Other ingredients: oleyl alcohol, coconut diethanolamide, hexylene glycol, polysorbate 80, triethanolamine lauryl sulphate, sodium chloride, citric acid, octylphenoxypolyethoxy ethanol, imidurea, fragrance 5412, water.
Bottles contain 150ml, 250ml, 500ml or 600ml (not all pack sizes may be marketed).
The marketing authorisation holder is GlaxoSmithKline UK Limited, Stockley Park West, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1BT, UK and all enquiries should be sent to this address.
The manufacturer is Stiefel Laboratories, (Ireland) Ltd., Finisklin Business Park, Sligo, Ireland.
This leaflet was last revised in October 2012.
Stiefel logo