• There are few studies on the effectiveness of OTC treatments. Those found are given as references.
• Studies have shown ketoconazole to be effective in clearing dandruff and scalp seborrhoea; it is more effective than pyrithione zinc and about as effective as selenium sulphide, although ketoconazole appears to be better tolerated.^1–3
• A trial found that a shampoo containing 3 per cent salicylic acid was as effective at controlling dandruff as Nizoral. (The only shampoo containing salicylic acid marketed in the UK contains 0.5 per cent.)⁴

References

1. Pierard-Franchimont C, Goffin V, Decroix J, Pierard GE. A multicenter randomized trial of ketoconazole 2% and zinc pyrithione 1% shampoos in severe dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol 2002; 15: 434–441.

2. Peter RU, Richarz-Barthauer U. Successful treatment and prophylaxis of scalp seborrhoeic dermatitis and dandruff with 2% ketoconazole shampoo: results of a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Dermatol 1995; 132: 441–445.

3. Danby FW, Maddin WS, Margesson LJ, Rosenthal D. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of ketoconazole 2% shampoo versus selenium sulfide 2.5% shampoo in the treatment of moderate to severe dandruff. J Am Acad Dermatol 1993; 29: 1008–1012.

4. Squire RA, Goode K. A randomised, single-blind, single-centre clinical trial to evaluate comparative clinical efficacy of shampoos containing ciclopirox olamine (1.5%) and salicylic acid (3%), or ketoconazole (2%, Nizoral) for the treatment of dandruff/seborrhoeic dermatitis. J Dermatolog Treat 2002; 13: 51–60.