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Betamethasone valerate is a potent topical corticosteroid used on the skin or scalp to reduce inflammation, itching and redness. UK formulations include creams, ointments, lotion, scalp application and foam.
This topical preparation combines a potent corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and itching with clioquinol, an antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is used when secondary bacterial or fungal infection is present, suspected or likely.
This skin cream combines fusidic acid, an antibiotic, with betamethasone valerate, a potent topical corticosteroid. It treats inflammatory eczema or dermatitis when secondary bacterial infection is confirmed or suspected.
A prescription skin treatment combining a potent corticosteroid with an aminoglycoside antibiotic. It treats inflammatory skin conditions when secondary bacterial infection is present, suspected or likely.
Betaxolol hydrochloride is a beta blocker used as eye drops to lower pressure inside the eye. The selected UK product is licensed for chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
Bevacizumab is a targeted biological treatment that blocks vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), reducing blood-vessel formation that supports tumours. It is usually given with other specialist treatments for selected advanced or metastatic cancers in adults.
Bexarotene is an anti-cancer retinoid used under specialist supervision for skin manifestations of advanced cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that has not responded to systemic treatment.
Bicalutamide is a non-steroidal anti-androgen used as hormone therapy for prostate cancer. The selected UK product is licensed for advanced disease alongside an LHRH analogue or surgical castration.
This fixed-combination antiretroviral contains an integrase inhibitor and two reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. It controls HIV-1 but does not cure HIV.
Bifonazole is a topical imidazole antifungal. The selected UK cream is licensed for athlete’s foot and acts locally against the fungi causing it.
Bilastine is a second-generation antihistamine used to relieve allergic nose and eye symptoms and urticaria (hives).
Bimatoprost is a prescription prostamide eye drop that lowers pressure inside the eye by improving fluid drainage. It is mainly used in adults with ocular hypertension or chronic open-angle glaucoma, alone or alongside a topical beta-blocker.
Combines a prostamide with a beta-blocker to lower pressure inside the eye. Selected UK products are licensed for adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when a topical beta-blocker or prostaglandin analogue alone has not reduced pressure sufficiently.
Bimekizumab is a biologic monoclonal antibody that reduces inflammation by blocking two related inflammatory cytokines. It is a specialist treatment for several inflammatory skin and joint conditions in adults.
Binimetinib is a targeted anticancer treatment called a MEK inhibitor. It is used with encorafenib for specific advanced cancers with a suitable BRAF mutation.
Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative that acts mainly in the large bowel. It is used for occasional constipation when simpler measures have not been enough.
A prescription-only combination of bismuth and two antibiotics. It is used with omeprazole to eradicate Helicobacter pylori and help prevent recurrence of associated peptic ulcers.
Bismuth subnitrate and iodoform is supplied as antiseptic paste-impregnated gauze for packing ear, nose or throat surgical cavities. Healthcare professionals may also use it to control acute nosebleeds.
Bivalirudin is an intravenous anticoagulant that directly blocks thrombin, an enzyme central to blood-clot formation. It is used in hospital for adults undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and for certain acute coronary syndromes when early intervention is planned.
Bleomycin sulfate is chemotherapy for selected cancers and malignant fluid around the lung. A specialist hospital team administers it, often with other anticancer treatments.
Blinatumomab is an immunotherapy for selected forms of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). It brings T cells into contact with CD19-positive B cells so the immune system can destroy the leukaemia cells.
Bortezomib is an anticancer proteasome inhibitor used alone or with other treatments for adults with multiple myeloma and, in a specific combination, previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma.
Bosentan monohydrate widens blood vessels by blocking endothelin receptors. It is mainly used for pulmonary arterial hypertension and to reduce new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis.
Bosutinib is a targeted anticancer treatment called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It treats Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (Ph+ CML), including newly diagnosed chronic-phase disease and selected previously treated disease.
Botulinum toxin type A is a prescription-only injection that temporarily reduces signalling from nerves to selected muscles or glands. Depending on the product, it treats certain movement disorders, focal spasticity, excessive saliva production or specific facial lines.
Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody–drug conjugate that targets CD30 on certain lymphoma cells and delivers a cell-killing agent. It is used alone or with other anticancer treatments for selected Hodgkin and T-cell lymphomas.
Bretovameran is a non-live mRNA vaccine that prompts an immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 spike protein. The selected paediatric presentation was licensed to help prevent COVID-19 in children aged 6 months to 4 years, following official recommendations. It cannot cause COVID-19.
A personalised gene therapy made by modifying a patient’s own T cells to recognise CD19 on B cells. It is used in specialist centres for certain relapsed or treatment-resistant blood cancers.
Brigatinib is a targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor licensed alone for adults with advanced ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer, including those who have not received an ALK inhibitor and those previously treated with crizotinib.
Brimonidine tartrate is a selective alpha-2 receptor agonist. Eye drops lower raised pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension; facial gel temporarily reduces persistent rosacea redness in adults.
This eye-drop suspension combines two pressure-lowering treatments. It is licensed for adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when one treatment alone has not reduced eye pressure sufficiently.
This eye-drop solution combines an alpha-2 receptor agonist with a beta blocker. It lowers eye pressure in chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when a topical beta blocker alone has not worked sufficiently.
This prescription eye-drop combination contains an alpha-2 agonist and a beta blocker. It lowers pressure inside the eye in chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when topical beta-blocker treatment alone has not worked well enough.
Brinzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor supplied as eye drops. It lowers pressure inside the eye in adults with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.
This prescription eye-drop combination contains a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and a beta blocker. It lowers eye pressure in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when one medicine alone has not worked sufficiently.
Brivaracetam is an anti-seizure treatment that acts on the brain protein SV2A. Selected UK products are licensed as add-on treatment for focal-onset seizures, with or without spread to both sides of the brain, in adults and children aged 2 years and over.
Brodalumab is a biologic monoclonal antibody that reduces inflammation by blocking IL-17 receptor signalling. It is licensed for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic treatment.
Brolucizumab is an anti-VEGF antibody fragment injected into the eye by an ophthalmologist. It is used in adults to reduce abnormal blood-vessel leakage and macular swelling that can impair central vision.
Bromfenac sodium sesquihydrate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drop licensed for treating inflammation in adults after cataract surgery.
Bromocriptine mesilate is an ergot-derived dopamine agonist that lowers prolactin and, in some conditions, growth hormone. It is mainly used for prolactin-related disorders and prolactinomas, with additional licensed roles in acromegaly, Parkinson’s disease and medically necessary suppression of milk production after childbirth.
This combination contains paracetamol and the opioid codeine for pain, plus the sedating antihistamine buclizine for nausea and vomiting. It is used for acute moderate migraine when simpler painkillers have not provided adequate relief.
Budesonide is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation. Different formulations act mainly in the lungs, nose, oesophagus, bowel or rectum.
Budesonide + formoterol combines an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator. It is used for asthma when both components are appropriate; some prescribed plans use the same inhaler as a reliever.
This inhaler combines an inhaled corticosteroid with two long-acting bronchodilators. It is maintenance treatment for eligible adults with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is not adequately controlled by specified dual therapy. It is not a reliever for sudden symptoms.
Bulevirtide acetate is an antiviral that blocks hepatitis delta virus (HDV) from entering liver cells. It is used for chronic, detectable HDV infection in eligible adults and children whose liver disease remains compensated.
Bumetanide is a prescription loop diuretic that helps the kidneys remove excess salt and water. It is mainly used to relieve oedema caused by heart, kidney or liver disease.
Bupivacaine is an amide-type local anaesthetic that blocks pain signals along nerves. This page focuses on the prolonged-release liposomal product injected during surgery to control postoperative pain.
Bupivacaine + fentanyl citrate combines a long-acting local anaesthetic with an opioid pain reliever. It is given continuously into the epidural space to maintain pain relief after surgery or during labour.
Bupivacaine hydrochloride is a long-acting amide local anaesthetic. A trained clinician injects or infuses it near tissues, nerves or the spinal cord to numb part of the body or relieve pain during labour, surgery and recovery.
Bupivacaine hydrochloride anhydrous is an amide local anaesthetic that temporarily blocks pain signals through nerves. The selected glucose-containing product is used for spinal anaesthesia during certain lower-body and lower-abdominal operations, including caesarean section.
Bupropion hydrochloride is a prescription-only, nicotine-free treatment that changes noradrenaline and dopamine signalling. The selected UK product supports stopping smoking in nicotine-dependent adults alongside motivational support.
This prescription-only combination affects noradrenaline, dopamine and opioid signalling. It is licensed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in eligible adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition.
An oral liquid containing water-based extracts of burdock root and hyssop herb. It is traditionally used by adults to relieve nasal and throat catarrh; this is based on longstanding use rather than evidence of clinical effectiveness.
Burosumab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH), an inherited condition in which excess FGF23 causes phosphate loss through the kidneys. It increases phosphate availability to support bone mineralisation.
Buserelin acetate is a synthetic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist that lowers sex-hormone production after an initial stimulatory effect. Selected UK injections are licensed for advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer or pituitary suppression before gonadotrophin-based fertility treatment.
Buspirone hydrochloride is a prescription-only anxiolytic that acts mainly through serotonin signalling. The selected UK product is licensed for short-term management of anxiety disorders and relief of anxiety symptoms, including with accompanying depressive symptoms.
Busulfan is an alkylating chemotherapy that damages DNA and strongly suppresses blood-cell production. It is mainly used as conditioning before a blood stem-cell transplant; tablets are also licensed for selected blood cancers and myeloproliferative disorders.