Shampoos

Products

Shampoos are marketed as drugs, personal care products, and medical devices. Examples of active ingredients in medicines are listed below:

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Selenium disulfide, sulfur
  • Antifungals: Ketoconazole, ciclopirox
  • Zinc pyrithione
  • Salicylic acid

Structure and properties

Shampoos are liquid to viscous preparations for application to the skin and scalp, which are washed out with water after administration, forming a foam. They are solutions, suspensions and emulsions, which contain a surface-active substance such as soaps and emulsifiers. Shampoos registered as medicinal products contain one or more active ingredients.

Effects

Shampoos are suitable for treating the hair, scalp, and skin. They can be applied to large areas.

Fields of application

The areas of application include (examples):

  • Head lice and other parasitic diseases such as scabies.
  • Diseases of the scalp
  • Pityriasis versicolor, fungal diseases
  • Dandruff
  • Eczema, dermatoses, incrustations

Dosage

According to the professional information. The shampoo is applied and massaged. It is either lathered directly or first left to act for a few minutes. Then it is washed thoroughly with warm water and the skin or hair is dried.

Contraindications

Selection of contraindications:

  • Hypersensitivity
  • Contact with the eyes or mucous membrane

For full precautions, see the drug label.

Adverse effects

Possible adverse effects include local skin reactions such as itching, a burning sensation, redness, and rash.