Therapeutic shampoos are medicated shampoos that are used to treat various scalp conditions, including dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis. They contain active ingredients that help to soothe the scalp, reduce itching and inflammation, and control the overgrowth of yeast and bacteria. Some common active ingredients found in therapeutic shampoos include salicylic acid, coal tar, selenium sulfide, zinc pyrithione, and ketoconazole.
Salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the scalp and remove scales, while coal tar reduces inflammation and slows the growth of skin cells. Selenium sulfide and zinc pyrithione work by controlling the growth of yeast and bacteria on the scalp. Ketoconazole is an antifungal agent that is used to treat dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
This quiz is designed to test your knowledge on the therapeutic shampoos used in dermatology, including their mechanisms of action, indications, contraindications, adverse effects, and drug interactions.
Successful completion of this quiz requires a good understanding of the different types of therapeutic shampoos available and their clinical applications. We encourage you to review the associated learning module before taking the quiz.
Click on “Mark Quiz Complete” once completed to keep track of your learning in your dashboard.
Sources
- Bolognia JL: Dermatology, 4th ed; 2018.
- Stephen E Wolverton JJW: Comprehensive Dermatologic Drug Therapy 4th edn: Elsevier; 2020

Release Date: March 31 2023
Last Updated: March 31 2023
Time to complete: 30 minutes
Authors:
- Dr. Zeinah Alhalees, MD, University of British Columbia
- Dr. Naif Aljahani, MD, Prince Sultan Military Medical City
- Dr. Elena Netchiporouk, MD, McGill University