ask your pharmacist

Are there any prescription treatments for dandruff?

When itching from dandruff becomes severe or causes redness, lotions containing mild steroids, such as hydrocortisone (brand name >Hytone) or triamcinolone (>Kenalog), may be prescribed. These should not be used for more than two weeks in a row, since longer use may lead to skin damage.

Ketoconazole shampoo (>Nizoral A-D) is now available both by prescription and over-the-counter. The over-the-counter product contains one percent ketoconazole while the prescription strength is two percent. A 2.5 percent prescription-strength solution of selenium sulfide (>Selsun) is also available by prescription.

Sources:
The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition. Merck & Co., 1997.
Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Applied Therapeutics, 1995.
Habif, Thomas. Clinical Dermatology. Mosby-Year Book Inc., 1996.
Diseases and Conditions, “Dandruff.” http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 1/10/2007.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.
Medline Plus. Medline, 2007.

This answer prepared 10/27/2000.
This information updated 1/10/2007.