Drug reference

Dithranol

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 1340, 1341

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

Subacute and chronic psoriasis ▶TO THE SKIN ▶Adult: (consult product literature) DITHROCREAM ® Subacute and chronic psoriasis ▶TO THE SKIN ▶Adult: For application to skin or scalp, 0.1–0.5% cream suitable for overnight treatment, 1–2% cream for maximum 1 hour (consult product literature) MICANOL ® Subacute and chronic psoriasis ▶TO THE SKIN ▶Adult: Apply once daily, for application to skin or scalp, to be applied for up to 30 minutes, apply 1% cream, if necessary 3% cream can be used under medical supervision

PDF pages 1340, 1341

Contra Indications

Acute and pustular psoriasis. hypersensitivity

PDF page 1341

Cautions

Avoid sensitive areas of skin. avoid use near eyes

PDF page 1341

Prescribing And Dispensing Information

Treatment should be started with a low concentration such as dithranol 0.1%, and the strength increased gradually every few days up to 3%, according to tolerance.

PDF page 1341

Exceptions To Legal Category

Prescription only medicine if dithranol content more than 1%, otherwise may be sold to the public.

PDF page 1341

Safety

Side Effects

Skin reactions

PDF page 1341

Pregnancy

No adverse effects reported.

PDF page 1341

Breast Feeding

No adverse effects reported.

PDF page 1341

Dose and formulations

Directions For Administration

When applying dithranol, hands should be protected by gloves or they should be washed thoroughly afterwards. Dithranol should be applied to chronic extensor plaques only, carefully avoiding normal skin. MICANOL ® At the end of contact time, use plenty of lukewarm (not hot) water to rinse off cream; soap may be used after the cream has been rinsed off; use shampoo before applying cream to scalp and if necessary after cream has been rinsed off.

PDF page 1341

Medicinal Forms

There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Forms available from special-order manufacturers include: ointment Cream CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 28 EXCIPIENTS: May contain Cetostearyl alcohol (including cetyl and stearyl alcohol), chlorocresol ▶Dithrocream (Dermal Laboratories Ltd) Dithranol 1 mg per 1 gram Dithrocream 0.1% cream | 50 gram p £3.77 DT = £3.77 Dithranol 2.5 mg per 1 gram Dithrocream 0.25% cream | 50 gram p £4.04 DT = £4.04 Dithranol 5 mg per 1 gram Dithrocream 0.5% cream | 50 gram p £4.66 DT = £4.66 Dithranol 10 mg per 1 gram Dithrocream 1% cream | 50 gram p £5.42 DT = £5.42 Dithranol 20 mg per 1 gram Dithrocream 2% cream | 50 gram P £6.79 DT = £6.79 Combinations available: Coal tar with dithranol and salicylic acid, p. 1320

PDF page 1341

Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Dithranol can stain the skin, hair and fabrics.

PDF page 1341

Dose text by age group

Adult

(consult product literature)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1340

Adult

For application to skin or scalp, 0.1–0.5% cream

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1340

Adult

Apply once daily, for application to skin or scalp,

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1341

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

Dithranol

BNF 80 (2020–2021)

Source: BNF 80 (2020–2021)
PDF pages: 1340, 1341

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels. BNF dose snippets show only their first line.

Overview

Indications And Dose

PDF pages 1340, 1341

Contra Indications

Acute and pustular psoriasis. hypersensitivity

PDF page 1341

Cautions

Avoid sensitive areas of skin. avoid use near eyes

PDF page 1341

Prescribing And Dispensing Information

Treatment should be started with a low concentration such as dithranol 0.1%, and the strength increased gradually every few days up to 3%, according to tolerance.

PDF page 1341

Exceptions To Legal Category

Prescription only medicine if dithranol content more than 1%, otherwise may be sold to the public.

PDF page 1341

Safety

Side Effects

Skin reactions

PDF page 1341

Pregnancy

No adverse effects reported.

PDF page 1341

Breast Feeding

No adverse effects reported.

PDF page 1341

Dose and formulations

Directions For Administration

PDF page 1341

Medicinal Forms

PDF page 1341

Clinical care

Patient And Carer Advice

Dithranol can stain the skin, hair and fabrics.

PDF page 1341

Dose text by age group

Adult

(consult product literature)

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1340

Adult

For application to skin or scalp, 0.1–0.5% cream

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1340

Adult

Apply once daily, for application to skin or scalp,

First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.

PDF page 1341

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.