Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to coal tar
10 other medicines are given the same way (topical) and in the same FDA class as coal tar or labeled mainly for the same use (psoriasis); the others include 4 corticosteroids, 2 retinoids and 2 vitamin d analogs (FDA labels read October 8, 2026).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as coal tar?
Psoriasis lists all 38 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine and FDA class | Shared indication | Generic labelers (topical) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal tar | this medicine | none listed | $0.0088 per mL 0.5% shampoo | No | No current entry |
| Clobetasolcorticosteroid | Psoriasis | 40 labelers | $0.126 per gram 0.05% ointment | No | No current entry |
| Fluocinolonecorticosteroid | Psoriasis | 15 labelers | $0.171 per mL 0.01% scalp oil | No | No current entry |
| Desoximetasonecorticosteroid | Psoriasis | 13 labelers | $0.369 per gram 0.25% ointment | No | No current entry |
| Halobetasolcorticosteroid | Psoriasis | 6 labelers | $0.620 per gram 0.05% ointmnt | No | No current entry |
| Tazaroteneretinoid | Psoriasis | 6 labelers | $6.11 per gram 0.1% gel | No | No current entry |
| Betamethasone and calcipotrienevitamin d analog | Psoriasis | 5 labelers | $1.81 per gram 0.005%-0.064% ointment | No | No current entry |
| Calcipotrienevitamin d analog | Psoriasis | 6 labelers | $1.05 per gram 0.005% cream | No | No current entry |
| Calcitriolvitamin d3 analog | Psoriasis | none listed | n/a | No | A presentation being discontinued |
| Halobetasol and tazaroteneretinoid | Psoriasis | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Tapinarofaryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist | Psoriasis | none listed | $25.23 per gram 1% cream | No | No current entry |
Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for each?
The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What next?
- Coal tar: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls