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Abacavir is an antiretroviral used with other antiretrovirals to help control HIV infection. It is not a complete treatment on its own.
Abacavir + lamivudine combines two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It is used with other antiretrovirals to control HIV infection and reduce the amount of virus in the body.
Abacavir sulfate is an antiretroviral that helps control HIV by blocking viral replication. It is licensed for adults and children as part of combination treatment, not on its own.
A fixed combination of dolutegravir, abacavir and lamivudine used to control HIV-1 by reducing viral replication. It does not cure HIV.
A fixed-dose combination of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors used with other antiretrovirals to suppress HIV. It does not cure HIV.
Abaloparatide is a bone-forming medicine related to parathyroid hormone-related protein. In the UK, Eladynos is licensed for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women at increased risk of fractures.
Abatacept is a biological immunomodulator that reduces T-cell activation. It is used under specialist supervision for selected forms of inflammatory arthritis when earlier disease-modifying treatment has not worked well enough or is unsuitable.
Abemaciclib is a targeted cancer treatment that blocks proteins involved in cell division. In the UK, it is usually combined with endocrine therapy for certain hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancers.
Abiraterone acetate is a hormone-targeted treatment for advanced prostate cancer. It reduces androgen production and is used under specialist supervision with a corticosteroid and, where relevant, ongoing androgen-deprivation therapy.
This oral cancer treatment combines a PARP inhibitor with an androgen-production inhibitor. It is used with prednisone or prednisolone for certain adults with metastatic prostate cancer whose tumours have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
Abrocitinib is an oral selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor used for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over when systemic therapy is appropriate.
Acalabrutinib maleate is an oral targeted anticancer treatment called a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is used in adults with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and certain forms of mantle cell lymphoma, either alone or with other anticancer treatments.
Acamprosate calcium supports abstinence after alcohol withdrawal. It is used with counselling and does not treat acute withdrawal or protect against the harms of continued drinking.
Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor for adults with type 2 diabetes. It slows carbohydrate digestion in the intestine, reducing blood glucose rises after meals.
Acebutolol hydrochloride mainly acts on the heart. It is licensed for high blood pressure, angina and fast abnormal heart rhythms.
Aceclofenac is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It relieves pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis but does not cure them.
Acemetacin is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces pain and inflammation. The selected UK product is licensed for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, low back pain, and pain and inflammation after surgery.
Acenocoumarol is an oral anticoagulant that reduces the blood’s ability to clot. It treats and prevents diseases caused by harmful blood clots and requires individualised INR monitoring.
Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces fluid production in the eye and increases kidney excretion of bicarbonate, salts and water. UK-licensed roles include glaucoma, fluid retention and adjunctive treatment of some forms of epilepsy.
Acetic acid is a locally acting antibacterial ear preparation. The selected ear spray is licensed for superficial infections of the outer ear canal.
Acetic acid glacial, dexamethasone and neomycin sulfate is a prescription ear spray for inflammation and bacterial infection of the outer ear canal. Neomycin is an antibiotic, dexamethasone reduces inflammation and acetic acid helps control bacteria.
Acetylcysteine thins thick mucus so it is easier to clear. Intravenous acetylcysteine is used in hospital as an antidote for paracetamol overdose. Eye drops loosen abnormal mucus and lubricate dry eyes.
A sterile intravenous amino-acid solution used during parenteral nutrition when nutrition by mouth or through the gut is impossible, insufficient or unsuitable. It is only one component of complete parenteral nutrition.
A paediatric amino-acid solution given into a vein as part of parenteral nutrition. It supports newborns, infants and children who cannot obtain enough nutrition by mouth or enteral feeding and is used with energy and other nutrients.
Acetylsalicylic acid, commonly called aspirin, is an NSAID that relieves pain, inflammation and fever. It also reduces platelet activity, so selected gastro-resistant products are used to help prevent further cardiovascular or cerebrovascular clotting events.
This combination contains aspirin, paracetamol and caffeine. In the selected UK product, it is used for short-term relief of painful and feverish conditions.
Aciclovir is an antiviral that slows herpes-virus multiplication. It is used for cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox and shingles; intravenous treatment is reserved for certain severe infections and hospital care.
Aciclovir sodium is an antiviral form of aciclovir prepared for intravenous infusion. It is used in hospital for serious herpes simplex and varicella-zoster infections, including herpes encephalitis and neonatal herpes, and to prevent herpes simplex infections in some immunocompromised patients.
Acipimox is a nicotinic-acid-related lipid-lowering treatment that reduces triglycerides and cholesterol. It may be used when lifestyle measures and treatments such as statins or fibrates have not worked adequately or are unsuitable.
Acitretin is an oral systemic retinoid related to vitamin A that changes how skin cells grow and mature. Specialists use it for severe psoriasis and other serious keratinisation disorders that have not responded adequately to standard treatment.
Aclidinium bromide is an inhaled long-acting muscarinic antagonist bronchodilator. It is used as maintenance treatment to relieve symptoms in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); it is not a reliever for sudden breathing difficulty.
Aclidinium bromide and formoterol combine two long-acting bronchodilators in one inhaler. It is used as regular maintenance treatment to relieve symptoms in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); it is not a reliever for sudden breathing attacks.
Acoramidis hydrochloride (Beyonttra) is a transthyretin stabiliser for adults with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). It stabilises transthyretin to slow the process that causes amyloid to accumulate in the heart.
Acrivastine is an oral antihistamine used to relieve allergic symptoms. Selected UK products are licensed for allergic rhinitis, including hay fever, and chronic idiopathic urticaria.
This combines acrivastine, an antihistamine, with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant. It provides symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis when allergy symptoms occur with nasal or sinus congestion.
Activated dimeticone, also called simeticone, is a non-absorbed antiflatulent that helps gas bubbles combine and pass more easily. The selected product is licensed for wind and griping pain caused by swallowed air in infants, although evidence of benefit for infant colic is limited.
Adalimumab is a biological monoclonal antibody that reduces inflammation by blocking tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Specialists use it for inflammatory joint, skin, bowel and eye conditions.
Adapalene is a topical retinoid used for acne. It helps prevent blocked pores and reduces inflammatory spots, with little absorption through the skin.
A prescription gel combining a topical retinoid with an antimicrobial and peeling agent for acne with blocked pores and inflamed spots.
Adenosine is a naturally occurring nucleoside that briefly affects electrical conduction and blood flow in the heart. In hospital, it is used to restore certain rapid rhythms, help identify an arrhythmia, or increase coronary blood flow during myocardial perfusion imaging.
Adrenaline, also called epinephrine, stimulates alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. The selected products provide emergency first aid for anaphylaxis while urgent medical help is obtained.
Adrenaline acid tartrate provides adrenaline by injection for emergency treatment of anaphylaxis and other acute, severe allergic reactions. It supports blood pressure, opens airways and reduces swelling.
This injection combines bupivacaine, a long-acting local anaesthetic, with adrenaline, which narrows nearby blood vessels and helps the anaesthetic remain at the injection site. It is used by trained clinicians to numb an area for surgery or to manage acute pain.
This injection combines lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, with adrenaline, which reduces local blood flow and slows lidocaine absorption. It is used by trained healthcare professionals to numb a region of the body for procedures.
Adrenaline tartrate supplies adrenaline, which rapidly counters dangerous airway, breathing and circulation effects of anaphylaxis. Jext is a single-use auto-injector for emergency treatment before an ambulance arrives.
An injectable local anaesthetic combining lidocaine, which numbs nerves, with adrenaline, which narrows nearby blood vessels. It is given by trained healthcare professionals for regional anaesthesia during procedures and certain pain-relief blocks.
Afatinib dimaleate is a targeted anticancer treatment called a protein kinase inhibitor. It is used on its own for certain locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancers, including some with activating EGFR mutations.
Aflibercept is a biological protein that blocks signals involved in abnormal blood-vessel growth and leakage. Selected products are used as specialist injections into the eye for retinal conditions or, in a different formulation, as an intravenous cancer treatment with chemotherapy.
Agalsidase alfa is a laboratory-made form of the human enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. It is used as enzyme replacement therapy for people with confirmed Fabry disease, helping break down material that accumulates when this enzyme is deficient.
Agalsidase beta is a recombinant form of human alpha-galactosidase A used as enzyme replacement therapy. It helps clear substances that accumulate inside cells in Fabry disease and is given under specialist supervision by intravenous infusion.
Agnus castus is a herbal product made from the fruit of Vitex agnus-castus. The selected UK product is traditionally used to relieve premenstrual symptoms, but its registration is based on longstanding use rather than proven clinical effectiveness.
Agomelatine is an antidepressant licensed to treat major depressive episodes in adults. It acts on melatonin and serotonin receptors and requires liver-function monitoring because it can sometimes cause liver injury.
A sterile solution containing 18 amino acids used as part of parenteral nutrition when nutrition by mouth or through the gut is impossible, inadequate or contraindicated.
A three-chamber parenteral nutrition emulsion containing amino acids, glucose and fats. It supplies energy, protein building blocks, essential fatty acids and fluid when nutrition by mouth or through the gut is impossible, inadequate or contraindicated.
Alendronic acid is a bisphosphonate that slows bone breakdown. The selected UK product treats osteoporosis after the menopause and reduces vertebral and hip fracture risk.
Amlodipine besilate is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker. It relaxes blood vessels to control high blood pressure or prevent angina, but does not provide immediate relief during an angina attack.
Amoxicillin is a prescription penicillin antibiotic that kills susceptible bacteria. It treats selected bacterial infections, including some chest, ear, throat, urinary and dental infections, but not viral illnesses such as colds or flu.
Amphotericin B liposomal is a hospital-administered polyene antifungal antibiotic packaged in lipid vesicles called liposomes. It is mainly used for severe deep or systemic fungal infections, certain suspected fungal infections in people with neutropenia, and visceral leishmaniasis.
Aprocitentan (JERAYGO) is an endothelin receptor antagonist licensed in the UK as an additional medicine for adults whose resistant hypertension remains uncontrolled despite at least three other blood-pressure medicines.
Atorvastatin calcium trihydrate provides atorvastatin, a prescription statin that lowers harmful blood lipids and helps reduce cardiovascular events alongside diet and management of other risk factors.