Two medicines, side by side
Coal tar vs salicylic acid
Coal tar and salicylic acid are both labeled for psoriasis. Pharmacies paid $0.0088 per mL (Thera-gel 0.5% shampoo) and $0.102 per callus removers patch (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the coal tar FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 8, 2025); the salicylic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 22, 2024).
Highlights of the coal tar record
Coal tar · label of December 8, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationscontrols the symptom of: dandruff seborrheic dermatitis psoriasis
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0088 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the salicylic acid record
Salicylic acid · label of October 22, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor the treatment of acne.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- n/a
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.102 per patch
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Coal tar label of December 8, 2025, Salicylic acid label of October 22, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do coal tar and salicylic acid differ on the record?
| Coal tar | Salicylic acid | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Psoriasis | Acne, Pain, Psoriasis |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | n/a | n/a |
| First generic approved | none | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0088 per mL (Thera-gel 0.5% shampoo) | $0.102 per patch (Callus removers patch) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | +10% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 784 | 52,581 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to coal tar
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions