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C1-esterase inhibitor, human is a plasma-derived replacement for a protective protein that is missing or does not work properly in some people with hereditary angioedema. The selected subcutaneous product prevents recurrent attacks in adolescents and adults with C1-esterase inhibitor deficiency.
Cabazitaxel is a taxane chemotherapy that disrupts structures cancer cells need to divide. It is licensed with prednisone or prednisolone for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel.
Cabergoline is an ergot-derived dopamine agonist that lowers prolactin. It is used for hyperprolactinaemia, including prolactinomas, and to prevent or suppress breast-milk production in specific circumstances.
Cabotegravir is an antiretroviral integrase inhibitor used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1. It does not treat established HIV by itself.
Cabozantinib is a targeted anticancer treatment called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Product-specific tablets or capsules are licensed for selected kidney, liver, thyroid and neuroendocrine cancers.
A fixed-combination oral painkiller containing paracetamol, codeine, doxylamine and caffeine. It is licensed for acute moderate pain not relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone.
This combination contains paracetamol and codeine for pain relief, with caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant. Selected products are intended for acute moderate pain when suitable single-ingredient painkillers have not provided adequate relief.
Caffeine + paracetamol combines a painkiller and fever reducer with caffeine, which supports paracetamol’s pain-relieving effect.
This combination contains a painkiller and fever reducer, a stimulant and a decongestant. It relieves cold and flu symptoms but does not treat the underlying infection.
Caffeine citrate is a methylxanthine respiratory stimulant used in neonatal intensive care to treat pauses in breathing caused by immature respiratory control in premature newborns.
A topical skin preparation with mild astringent, soothing and protective effects. Selected UK creams and lotions are licensed to relieve mild sunburn and other minor skin conditions.
Calcifediol is 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, the form produced when vitamin D3 is processed by the liver. The licensed UK product is used in adults to treat or prevent vitamin D deficiency and alongside specific osteoporosis treatment when deficiency or insufficiency is present.
Calcipotriol is a prescription topical vitamin D analogue that helps control excessive skin-cell production. Selected UK ointment and scalp-solution products are licensed for plaque psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis.
Calcitonin (salmon) is a synthetic peptide hormone that reduces bone breakdown and can lower blood calcium. Its injectable form has restricted roles in acute immobilisation-related bone loss, selected cases of Paget’s disease and hypercalcaemia caused by cancer.
Calcitriol is the active form of vitamin D and helps regulate calcium and phosphate. Capsules treat certain bone and mineral disorders; the ointment treats plaque psoriasis.
Calcium acetate is a calcium-based phosphate binder used in adults receiving dialysis for chronic kidney failure. It reduces raised blood phosphate by limiting phosphate absorption from food.
Calcium carbonate is an antacid that neutralises stomach acid. Selected UK products provide short-term relief from heartburn, indigestion and related acid symptoms but do not treat the underlying cause.
An oral mineral supplement that provides calcium in a soluble effervescent preparation. It is used to prevent or treat calcium deficiency and support treatment for certain bone disorders.
This oral combination supplies calcium and vitamin D3. It is mainly used to prevent or correct combined deficiency and alongside specific osteoporosis treatment when intake is inadequate.
An antacid combination that neutralises stomach acid to relieve acid indigestion, heartburn, dyspepsia and flatulence.
Calcium carbonate with heavy magnesium carbonate is an antacid that neutralises stomach acid for short-term relief of heartburn and indigestion. It does not treat the underlying cause.
Two antacids neutralise excess stomach acid, while simeticone helps trapped gas bubbles combine and disperse. This combination provides short-term relief of heartburn, indigestion, bloating, flatulence and painful trapped wind.
An alginate reflux suppressant with two antacids. It forms a floating barrier over stomach contents and neutralises acid to relieve heartburn, acid regurgitation and reflux-related indigestion.
An electrolyte and bicarbonate solution used with continuous renal replacement therapy in intensive care. It replaces fluid and electrolytes removed during treatment or acts as dialysis fluid, particularly when phosphate is normal or low and potassium has returned to normal.
A glucose-based electrolyte solution for peritoneal dialysis. It is placed into the abdominal cavity through a dialysis catheter to help remove waste substances and excess water from the blood and support fluid, electrolyte and acid–base balance.
A sterile, icodextrin-based fluid used for peritoneal dialysis in chronic kidney failure. It draws excess water across the abdominal lining while dialysis removes fluid and waste products.
A sterile electrolyte and bicarbonate solution used with continuous renal replacement therapy equipment in critical care. It acts as dialysis fluid or replaces water and electrolytes removed during treatment for acute kidney failure.
Calcium chloride dihydrate is an injectable calcium salt used in hospital to restore calcium when blood levels or electrolyte balance are abnormal. Trained healthcare professionals give it into a vein with careful monitoring.
A specialist fluid used with continuous haemofiltration, haemodialysis or haemodiafiltration equipment. It replaces water and electrolytes removed from the blood or acts as dialysis fluid, mainly during treatment for kidney failure.
A sterile fluid used during continuous haemofiltration for acute kidney failure. It replaces water, electrolytes and bicarbonate removed during filtration.
A bicarbonate-buffered replacement solution used during continuous haemofiltration. It replaces water, electrolytes and buffer removed from the blood when acute kidney failure requires renal replacement therapy.
A sterile, glucose-containing electrolyte and bicarbonate/lactate solution used for peritoneal dialysis. It removes waste and excess water through the abdominal lining and helps regulate fluid, electrolyte and acid–base balance.
A specialist electrolyte and amino-acid solution used during surgery to temporarily stop and protect the heart and to protect or preserve donor organs.
An intravenous colloid solution containing succinylated gelatin in balanced electrolyte fluid. It is used in hospital to replace circulating volume when hypovolaemia cannot be adequately treated with crystalloid fluids alone.
An isotonic intravenous solution containing sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride in water. It replaces extracellular fluid and restores electrolyte balance in isotonic dehydration.
A balanced intravenous solution containing sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and lactate. It replaces extracellular fluid and electrolytes, supports circulating volume and helps correct mild to moderate metabolic acidosis, except lactic acidosis.
Calcium folinate is an active, reduced form of folate. It limits harmful effects from folate antagonists such as methotrexate and can treat megaloblastic anaemia caused by folate deficiency.
Calcium folinate hydrate provides folinic acid, an active reduced form of folate. It limits toxicity from folate antagonists such as methotrexate, enhances fluorouracil's anticancer effect and treats certain folate-deficiency megaloblastic anaemias.
Calcium gluconate is an injectable calcium salt used mainly in hospital emergencies. It treats symptomatic low blood calcium and protects the heart during severe hyperkalaemia, but does not lower potassium.
Calcium polystyrene sulfonate is a non-absorbed ion-exchange resin used to treat hyperkalaemia (too much potassium in the blood). It binds potassium in the gut so more leaves the body in stools.
Calcium sennosides are stimulant laxatives derived from senna. Bacteria in the large bowel convert them into active substances that increase bowel movement and fluid in the colon, relieving occasional constipation.
A prescription herbal ointment for external genital and perianal warts in adults whose immune system functions normally. It treats visible warts but does not eliminate human papillomavirus (HPV).
A topical counter-irritant cream containing cooling and warming ingredients. It provides temporary symptomatic relief of muscular and rheumatic aches, stiffness, bruising and sprains.
Canagliflozin hemihydrate is the tablet form of canagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor that lowers blood glucose by increasing glucose loss in urine. It is used with diet and exercise for insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.
A fixed-combination tablet containing an SGLT2 inhibitor and metformin. It is used with diet and exercise for adults with type 2 diabetes when metformin-based treatment is insufficient or to replace the ingredients taken separately.
Canakinumab is a biological treatment that blocks the inflammatory protein interleukin-1 beta. Specialists use it for certain periodic fever syndromes, active Still’s disease and selected adults with frequent gouty arthritis attacks when usual options are unsuitable.
Candesartan cilexetil is a prescription angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). It lowers blood pressure and may support treatment of certain adults with heart failure by reducing the effects of angiotensin II.
Cemivameran is a non-live mRNA vaccine designed to produce an immune response against the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron KP.2 variant. It is licensed to prevent COVID-19 in people aged 12 years and over when used in line with official recommendations.
Cetirizine hydrochloride is a less-sedating antihistamine used for allergy symptoms affecting the nose, eyes and skin. It can still cause sleepiness in some people.
Chikungunya virus is the live attenuated active component of IXCHIQ, a vaccine that helps prevent chikungunya disease. In the UK, it is licensed for selected adults aged 18 to 59 years after an individual travel or occupational risk assessment. It does not treat an existing infection.
A non-replicating virus-like particle vaccine that trains the immune system to recognise chikungunya virus without causing chikungunya. It is licensed for people aged 12 years and over and may be considered for relevant travel or occupational exposure.
Citalopram hydrobromide is a prescription antidepressant; the active medicine is citalopram. It is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used mainly for depression and panic disorder.
Clascoterone is a topical androgen-receptor inhibitor for acne vulgaris in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over.
Clesrovimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody that provides passive protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It is licensed to prevent RSV lower respiratory tract disease in neonates and infants during their first RSV season; it does not treat an existing infection.
Clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate is an antiplatelet medicine that reduces the ability of platelets to form unwanted blood clots. It is used mainly to help prevent heart attacks, ischaemic strokes and other complications of arterial disease.
Co-amoxiclav combines amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, which protects amoxicillin from certain bacterial resistance enzymes. It treats susceptible bacterial infections when broader activity is appropriate.
Codeine phosphate + paracetamol, commonly called co-codamol, combines paracetamol with the opioid painkiller codeine. UK products are used mainly for acute moderate pain when simpler painkillers have not provided adequate relief; licensed indications vary by product.
Codeine phosphate is an opioid used mainly for acute moderate pain when simpler painkillers are insufficient. Selected UK products are also licensed for dry or painful cough and adult diarrhoea; codeine linctus is specifically licensed for non-productive cough.
Colecalciferol is vitamin D3. It supports calcium and phosphate balance and healthy bones, and is used to prevent or treat vitamin D deficiency and alongside some osteoporosis treatments.
Cytisinicline is a nicotine-free, plant-derived treatment that acts on nicotine receptors in the brain. It helps reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms in smokers intending to stop.