Anthralin

Anthralin, also known as dithranol, is a topical medication primarily used to treat chronic plaque psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that causes raised, red, scaly patches on the skin.

In conditions like psoriasis, skin cells multiply too quickly, resulting in thick, scaly skin patches. Anthralin works by slowing down the rapid growth of skin cells and reducing inflammation in the skin, reducing symptoms over time.

Anthralin is typically applied as a short-contact therapy, meaning it’s left on the affected areas for a brief, controlled period (usually 10 to 30 minutes) before being washed off in order to minimize irritation. Common side effects may include skin redness, skin irritation, and staining of the skin at the application site and surrounding areas. 

Anthralin is the active ingredient in the brand-name shampoo Zithranol^®, which is the focus of the information outlined below. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits as the brand-name medicines.”

Zithranol (anthralin) shampoo is indicated:

• For the treatment of scalp psoriasis in subjects 12 years of age and older

Antipsoriatic

• Very few instances of contact allergic reactions to anthralin have been reported

• Transient primary irritation and staining of hair or skin may occur

• The temporary discoloration of hair and skin may be minimized by careful application

The cost of anthralin may vary depending on your insurance plan, the dosage, the quantity, the brand, and where you buy it. Anthralin is the active ingredient in several brand-name drugs, including Drithocreme^® and Zithranol^®, and it’s available as a cream or shampoo.

Without insurance, Drithocreme may cost about $444 per tube of cream, while the average retail cost of Zithranol shampoo is about $1,190 per bottle. Coupons or discount cards may be available to help bring down the price of either product, and insurance may cover all or some of the cost of these medications.

You can get a prescription for anthralin after being evaluated by your primary care provider or a specialist who can determine if the medicine is right for you based on factors like your symptoms and medical history.

• Use of Zithranol shampoo is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to anthralin or to any ingredient in this preparation

• For external use only

• Contact with fabrics, plastics and other materials may cause staining and should be avoided

• Always wash hands thoroughly after use

  Avoid contact with the eyes or mucous membranes

• Discontinue use if a sensitivity reaction occurs or if excessive irritation develops

• Pregnancy: Zithranol shampoo should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed

• Breastfeeding: Caution should be exercised when Zithranol shampoo is administered to a nursing woman

There are other medications used to treat psoriasis. Some of these treatments may be better suited to you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to anthralin, talk with your provider to learn more about options that may work well for you.

Oral medications for psoriasis:

• Drugs that target the immune system (immunosuppressants and biologics), such as cyclosporine (Neoral^®), etanercept (Enbrel^®), and methotrexate 

• Oral retinoids such as acitretin (Soriatane^®)

• Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors such as apremilast (Otezla^®)

• Tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitors such as deucravacitinib (Sotyktu^®)

Topical therapies:

• Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-modulating agents such as tapinarof (Vtama^®)

• Coal tar

• Corticosteroids

• Retinoid creams

• Topical PDE4 inhibitors such as roflumilast (Zoryve^®)

• Vitamin D-based formulations

Other treatments:

• Medicated injections

• Moisturizers, ointments, and lotions to reduce symptoms like itching

• Phototherapy

*This information is from the label for Zithranol^®. See the Full Prescribing Information for more complete information. Anthralin, the active ingredient in Zithranol, may also be the active ingredient in other medications, and this information may not be accurate for all medications that include the active ingredient anthralin.