Health Library Anthralin for PsoriasisFrom Healthwise

Ointment, cream, or stick forms

For short-term therapy, anthralin is applied to the skin or scalp for 20 to 60 minutes once a day, then washed or shampooed off.

Treatment usually starts with a product that contains a small amount of the medication. The amount is increased every few days as long as your symptoms are improving and you are not having side effects. If a lower-dose product is used, it can be left on the skin longer (often overnight) and washed off in the morning.

Anthralin can be used in combination with coal tar and ultraviolet B (UVB) therapy (Ingram regimen). It can also be combined with corticosteroids or calcipotriene.

Anthralin limits the growth of skin cells.

Anthralin is used to treat large, scaly patches of psoriasis on the arms, legs, or torso that have not cleared up with other treatment.

Used alone, anthralin can be effective over a period of a few weeks.

Anthralin is likely to be effective in 2 to 3 weeks when combined with ultraviolet (UV) light therapy (the Ingram regimen).¹

Side effects of anthralin include:

• Irritation and discoloration of the skin that is not affected by psoriasis. (Take care to apply the product only to the skin affected by psoriasis, not to normal skin.)
• A purple-brown stain on the skin. The discolored skin may go away within 3 weeks after you stop using the drug.
• A deep red-brown color of the skin, which develops from the inflammation of psoriasis. It may take weeks or months to go away.
• Having gray hair turn pink when anthralin is used on the scalp.

Newer forms of anthralin have made staining less of a problem.¹

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

Anthralin may permanently stain fabrics, showers, countertops, sinks, and other materials.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Citations

1. Lee CS, Koo J (2007). Papulosquamous disorders. In RE Rakel, ET Bope, eds., Conn's Current Therapy, pp. 931–936. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.

Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: December 10, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.