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.

In this module, you will learn about the different types of therapeutic shampoos available, their mechanisms of action, indications, contraindications, adverse effects, and drug interactions.

To test your knowledge, we invite you to complete the associated quiz.

Select how you would like to proceed below:

1. Bolognia, J., Cerroni, L., & Schaffer, J. V. (2018). Dermatology. Philadelphia: Elsevier.

2. Wolverton, S. E. (2021). Comprehensive dermatologic drug therapy. Edinburgh: Saunders.