Denorex Shampoo: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Denorex Shampoo is an over-the-counter medicated shampoo containing either salicylic acid or coal tar, sometimes with added menthol. It is used to treat dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and scalp psoriasis symptoms, helping to control flaking, scaling, and itching. It belongs to the keratolytic class of topical agents.

What is Denorex Shampoo

Denorex is an over-the-counter medicated shampoo used to treat dandruff and related scalp conditions. Depending on the version, it contains either salicylic acid or coal tar as the active ingredient, sometimes along with menthol for a cooling effect.

Denorex Shampoo uses

• Controls flaking and scalp irritation from dandruff
• Relieves symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis
• Helps with psoriasis symptoms on the scalp
• Coal tar versions treat eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and other skin disorders
• Menthol is used to relieve minor irritation and itching

Benefits of Denorex Shampoo

• Helps remove scalp buildup
• Soothes and controls itching associated with dandruff
• Provides relief from flaking, scaling, and dryness
• 2-in-1 formula cleanses and conditions hair in one step
• Leaves hair feeling soft and manageable

How Denorex Shampoo works

Salicylic acid helps loosen and remove flakes from the scalp. Coal tar versions work by slowing down how fast skin cells grow and helping the skin shed dead cells from its top layer. Menthol causes a cooling feeling by stimulating cold receptors in the skin.

Denorex Shampoo dosage

Shake well before use. Wet hair and scalp with lukewarm water before applying. Apply a generous amount, massage into the scalp, and work up a lather. Leave the lather on the scalp for several minutes before rinsing. Rinse thoroughly, then repeat application for stronger relief.

For the gel form, leave it on the skin for a few minutes then pat off excess with a clean tissue instead of rinsing immediately. Avoid getting the product in the eyes; if contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. Do not apply to infected, raw, blistered, or oozing skin. After using coal tar versions, protect treated skin from direct sunlight or sunlamps for a few days afterward. Children should only use this medicine if a doctor directs it. Ask a doctor before use if you have a condition covering a large area of the body.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Shampoo
• Foam
• Ointment
• Liquid
• Solution
• Gel/Jelly
• Lotion
• Cream

Side effects of Denorex Shampoo

Common

• Scalp dryness
• Mild itching
• Skin irritation
• Redness
• Burning or stinging
• Increased scalp flaking

Serious

• Moderate or severe skin irritation
• Skin rash
• Serious allergic reaction: hives, itching, trouble breathing, swelling of the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, tightness in the throat, or feeling faint
• Signs of salicylate toxicity: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, severe drowsiness, fast or deep breathing, confusion, diarrhea, and stomach pain

Warnings and precautions

• This product is for use on the skin only, not for internal use.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have a skin condition covering a large area of your body.
• Avoid getting the shampoo in your eyes; if it happens, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Stop use and ask a doctor if your condition gets worse or does not improve with regular use as directed.
• Do not use abrasive soaps, alcohol-based products, other acne treatments, drying cosmetics, medicated cosmetics, or other topical skin medicines on the same area, since this can cause severe skin irritation.
• Do not apply to infected, blistered, raw, or oozing skin.
• After using coal tar on the scalp, protect the treated area from direct sunlight and avoid sunlamps for 72 hours unless your doctor says otherwise, because a severe reaction can occur.
• Using this product on the scalp may temporarily change the color of blond, bleached, or tinted hair, and coal tar can stain skin or clothing.
• Animal studies have shown that coal tar can increase the chance of skin cancer.
• Coal tar products should not be used on infants unless a doctor says to.
• Coal tar is considered to pose minimal risk to a breastfeeding infant based on studies in women. People with kidney disease have a higher chance of developing salicylate toxicity from salicylic acid versions of this product. 
• People with liver disease also have a higher chance of developing salicylate toxicity from salicylic acid versions of this product. 
• Do not use alcohol-containing skin preparations on the same area treated with this medicine, since it may cause severe skin irritation. 
• Some non-shampoo liquid coal tar products contain alcohol and are flammable.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light
• Keep from freezing
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of overdose such as confusion, diarrhea, dizziness, fast or deep breathing, severe or continuing headache, hearing loss, lightheadedness, nausea, ringing or buzzing in the ears, severe drowsiness, stomach pain, or vomiting.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, itching, trouble breathing, swelling of the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, tightness in the throat, or feeling faint.
• If swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.
• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or get worse, check with your doctor.

Alternatives

• Head & Shoulders
• Nizoral Shampoo
• Selsun Blue Shampoo