Anthralin (Topical)

Brand Names : Drithocreme, Drithocreme HP, Dritho-Scalp, Micanol, Anthraforte 1, Anthraforte 2, Anthranol 0.1, Anthranol 0.2, Anthranol 0.4, Anthrascalp, dithranol

Proper Use of This Medicine

Keep this medicine away from the eyes and mucous membranes, such as the mouth and the inside of the nose .

Do not apply this medicine to blistered, raw, or oozing areas of the skin or scalp .

Do not use this medicine on your face or sex organs or in the folds and creases of your skin . If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Use this medicine only as directed . Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Anthralin may be used in different ways. In some cases, it is applied at night and allowed to remain on the affected areas overnight, then washed off the next morning or before the next application. In other cases, it may be applied and allowed to remain on the affected areas for a short period of time (usually 10 to 30 minutes), then washed off. (This is called short contact treatment.) Make sure you understand exactly how you are to use this medicine. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Anthralin may cause irritation of normal skin. If it does, petrolatum may be applied to the skin or scalp around the affected areas for protection.

Apply a thin layer of anthralin to only the affected area of the skin or scalp and rub in gently and well.

Immediately after applying this medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

For patients using anthralin for short contact (usually 10 to 30 minutes) treatment:

• After applying anthralin, allow the medicine to remain on the affected area for 10 to 30 minutes or as directed by your doctor. Then remove the medicine by bathing, if the anthralin was applied to the skin, or by shampooing, if it was applied to the scalp.

For patients using the cream form of anthralin for overnight treatment:

• If anthralin cream is applied to the skin, any medicine remaining on the affected areas the next morning should be removed by bathing.
• If anthralin cream is applied to the scalp, shampoo to remove the scales and any medicine remaining on the affected areas from the previous application. Dry the hair and, after parting, rub the cream into the affected areas. Check with your doctor to see when the cream should be removed.

For patients using the ointment form of anthralin for overnight treatment:

• If anthralin ointment is applied to the skin at night, any ointment remaining on the affected areas the next morning should be removed with warm liquid petrolatum followed by bathing.
• If anthralin ointment is applied to the scalp at night, shampoo the next morning to clean the scalp.

Dosing - The dose of anthralin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of anthralin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For psoriasis:
  • For cream dosage form:
    • Adults - Apply to the dry, affected area(s) of the skin once a day, preferably at night, or as directed by your doctor. Wash medicine off skin at the proper time.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For ointment dosage form:
    • Adults - Apply to the dry, affected area(s) of the skin once a day or as directed by your doctor. Wash medicine off skin at the proper time.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Keep tube tightly capped.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.