Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Cocois (Coconut Oil Compound Ointment)
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Coal tar solution, Precipitated sulfur, Salicylic acid may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for Cocois contains coal tar solution, salicylic acid and sulphur for external use. Coal tar solution and sulphur are mildly antiseptic and relieves itching. Sulphur also has an antifungal action. Coal tar solution, salicylic acid and sulphur help to reduce the excessive hardening, thickening and scaling of the skin. Cocois is for the treatment of dry scaly skin disorders of the scalp such as psoriasis, eczema, dandruff and other inflammatory conditions causing irritation and scaliness.
What you need to know before you take it
e Cocois Do not use Cocois if:
- You are allergic to coal tar solution, salicylic acid, or sulphur for external use or any of the ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- You have any acute infection of the skin
- You have broken or infected skin
- You suffer from any form of psoriasis which causes the appearance of blisters filled with pus (acute pustular psoriasis).
- You are in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
If any of the above applies to you talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Cocois. Do not smoke or go near naked flames risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it. Children and adolescents Do not give this medicine to children under 6 years old. Other medicines and Cocois Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility Cocois Ointment should not be used during pregnancy or if breast-feeding. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. Do not use Cocois if you are in the last 3 months of pregnancy.
You should not use Cocois during the first 6 months of pregnancy unless clearly necessary and advised by your doctor. If you need treatment during this period, the lowest dose for the shortest time possible should be used. Oral forms (e.g., tablets) of this product class can cause adverse effects in your unborn baby. It is not known if the same risks apply to Cocois when it is used on the scalp. Important information about some of the ingredients of Cocois Cetostearyl alcohol may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
How to take it
Cocois Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Remember:
- Avoid any contact with your eyes and mouth.
- Cocois may stain clothes and jewellery. Care should be taken to protect or remove these before application. Use in children and adolescents
- Cocois should only be used under medical supervision in children aged 6-12 years.
- It is not recommended for use in children under the age of six years. Instructions for use
- Part your hair and apply a thin ribbon of Cocois to the affected areas of your scalp.
- Take care to avoid contact with your eyes.
- Gently rub in the ointment and leave in contact with the scalp for approximately one hour.
- Wash your hands afterwards.
- After one hour, Cocois should be shampooed out of the hair with warm water.
- Take care to avoid getting the application in your eyes.
- Always wash your hands immediately after use.
- In severe scaly scalp conditions, it is usually necessary to apply Cocois daily for three to seven days until control has been obtained.
- With mild scaliness, use intermittently as necessary, e.g., once a week.
- If, after the first week, the condition does not improve, or symptoms persist after four weeks, consult your doctor. If you accidentally get Cocois in your eyes,
wash it out immediately with plenty of cold water. If your eyes become irritated, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If you use more Cocois than you should If you use more Cocois than you should it is unlikely to lead to any serious side effects. If you accidentally swallow any Cocois, immediately tell your doctor or contact your nearest hospital casualty department. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, Cocois can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. These include:
- Irritation of the skin
- Inflammation of the hair follicles
- Acne like eruptions
- Hair loss
- Discolouration of skin and hair
- A rash from sensitivity to sunlight. This is rare.
- If you have asthma or if anyone in your family is allergic to aspirin, Cocois may cause difficulty in breathing or tightness in your chest. This is very rare. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any
Possible side effects
not listed in this
leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme Website www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Cocois Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25°C. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Cocois contains: The active ingredients are: Coal tar solution 12%w/w, Salicylic acid 2%w/w and sulphur for external use 4%w/w. The other ingredients are: coconut oil, white soft paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol, glycerol, liquid paraffin, polyoxyethylene glycerol monostearate, hard paraffin
What Cocois looks like and contents of the pack Cocois is a buff coloured ointment. It comes in aluminium tubes with a plastic cap. It is supplied in 5 g, 15 g, 40 g or 100 g tubes. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder RPH Pharmaceuticals AB, Box 603, 101 32 Stockholm, Sweden. Manufacturer Bioglan AB, PO Box 50310, S-202 13, Malmö, Sweden This leaflet was last revised in 09/2025
If this leaflet is difficult to read and you would like it in a different format, please contact RPH Pharmaceuticals AB, Box 603, 101 32 Stockholm, Sweden. 912383
Frequently asked questions about Cocois (Coconut Oil Compound Ointment)
How do I take Cocois (Coconut Oil Compound Ointment)?
Cocois (Coconut Oil Compound Ointment) comes as ointment. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Cocois (Coconut Oil Compound Ointment)?
The active substance in Cocois (Coconut Oil Compound Ointment) is coal tar solution, precipitated sulfur, salicylic acid.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Cocois (Coconut Oil Compound Ointment), as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Cocois (Coconut Oil Compound Ointment) without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: coal tar solution, precipitated sulfur, salicylic acid
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Cocois has mild, antipruritic, antiseptic and keratolytic properties. It is indicated in the treatment of scaly skin disorders of the scalp such as psoriasis, eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults, children over 12 years and the elderly
Mild dandruff
To be used intermittently as an adjunctive treatment to be applied approximately once a week.
Psoriasis, eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis and severe dandruff
To be used daily for three to seven days until improvement has been achieved. Intermittent repeated applications may be necessary to maintain improvement.
In all cases, the affected area should be treated and shampooed off using warm water approximately one hour later.
Children 6-12 years
To be used under medical supervision only.
Children under 6 years
Not recommended.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance, or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1
The product is contraindicated in patients known to be sensitive to any of the ingredients including sulphur and salicylates, in the presence of acute local infections, or acute pustular psoriasis.
Third trimester of pregnancy.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Do not use on inflamed or broken skin. Avoid contact with mouth, mucous membranes and eyes and wash hands immediately after use. Discontinue use if irritation develops.
If symptoms persist after four weeks, a doctor should be consulted.
Cocois may stain fabrics and jewellery.
Instruct patients not to smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
If possible Cocois should not be used during pregnancy or lactation. However, inadvertent, accidental exposure is not cause for clinical intervention. Minimal systemic absorption of salicylic acid may occur after topical application. There are no data on the use of coal tar in pregnant or lactation women. It is unknown whether coal tar crosses the placenta or is excreted in breast milk. There is no sufficient clinical experience to establish the safety of sulphur in general during pregnancy and lactation. It is unknown whether sulphur crosses the placenta or is excreted in breast milk.
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of Cocois during pregnancy.
It is not known if the systemic Cocois exposure reached after topical administration can be harmful to an embryo/fetus. During the first and second trimester of pregnancy, Cocois should not be used unless clearly necessary. If used, the dose should be kept as low and duration of treatment as short as possible.
During the third trimester of pregnancy, systemic use of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors may induce cardiopulmonary and renal toxicity in the fetus. At the end of the pregnancy prolonged bleeding time in both mother and child may occur, and labour can be delayed. Therefore, Cocois is contraindicated during the last trimester of pregnancy (see Section 4.3).
4.8. Undesirable effects
Coal tar may cause skin irritation, folliculitis and rarely photosensitivity.
Cocois may cause skin irritations, acne like eruptions, dermatitis, folliculitis, alopecia and rarely photosensitivity and hypersensitivity. Discolouration of skin and hair may also occur.
Bronchospasm has been reported very rarely in patients with either pre-existing asthma or a family history of hypersensitivity to salicylates.
Although carcinogenicity of coal tar has been demonstrated in animal studies, no studies demonstrating an increased risk of skin cancer with normal therapeutic use in humans have been reported. There is no unequivocal evidence to link the use of topically applied coal tar products with skin cancer.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme on the MHRA website www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Overdose is extremely unlikely. Treat symptomatically, if necessary.
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Coal tar solution, Precipitated sulfur, Salicylic acid. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
- Maść na odciski Gemi partial — not the same combinationAcidum salicylicum · skin / topical
- Maść przeciw odciskom i zgrubieniom skóry Rekord Łuszczy partial — not the same combinationAcidum salicylicum · skin / topical
- Plaster na odciski partial — not the same combinationAcidum salicylicum · skin / topical
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Cocois (Coconut Oil Compound Ointment). The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.