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Cangrelor is a reversible antiplatelet treatment given into a vein in hospital. With aspirin, it reduces clot-related cardiovascular events in selected adults having percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when oral P2Y12 treatment has not already been given and is not feasible or desirable.
Cannabidiol is an antiseizure treatment derived from cannabis but distinct from non-prescription CBD oils. It is used under specialist supervision as an add-on treatment for seizures associated with specific rare epilepsy syndromes.
A prescription oromucosal spray containing standardised cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extracts. It is used for selected adults with multiple-sclerosis-related spasticity when other anti-spasticity medicines have not worked adequately and a specialist-supervised trial shows meaningful benefit.
Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapy that the body converts into fluorouracil, which interferes with cancer-cell growth. It is used alone or with other treatments for selected bowel, stomach and breast cancers.
Capivasertib is an oral targeted cancer treatment called an AKT inhibitor. In the UK, it is used with fulvestrant for certain adults with advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer whose tumour has a PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN alteration.
Caplacizumab is an antibody fragment that reduces abnormal platelet clumping in acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP). It is used with plasma exchange and immunosuppression during an acute episode.
Capreomycin sulfate is an injectable cyclic polypeptide antibiotic used with other medicines for susceptible tuberculosis when primary treatments are ineffective or unsuitable. Current WHO guidance does not recommend it for multidrug- or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis regimens.
Capsaicin, the substance that gives chilli peppers their heat, is applied as a cream or clinician-administered patch to reduce pain signalling from local sensory nerves. It is mainly used for peripheral neuropathic pain.
Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that relaxes blood vessels and reduces aldosterone activity. It is used for high blood pressure, heart failure, care after myocardial infarction and certain kidney disease associated with type 1 diabetes.
Carbamazepine is an anti-seizure medicine that reduces excessive electrical signalling in nerves. Selected UK products are licensed for certain seizures, trigeminal neuralgia and prevention of manic-depressive illness when lithium has not worked.
Carbetocin is related to the natural hormone oxytocin. It is given after childbirth to help the womb contract and reduce the risk of postpartum haemorrhage caused by poor uterine contraction.
A fixed combination for adults with Parkinson’s disease whose movement symptoms return towards the end of a levodopa dose despite levodopa plus a dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor.
Carbidopa + levodopa, also called co-careldopa, combines a dopamine precursor with a component that reduces its breakdown outside the brain. It mainly improves movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including slowness, stiffness and tremor.
Carbidopa monohydrate is a form of carbidopa used with levodopa as co-careldopa. It reduces levodopa breakdown outside the brain, allowing more to reach the brain and be converted into dopamine.
A three-component intestinal gel for advanced Parkinson’s disease when severe movement fluctuations or involuntary movements are not controlled satisfactorily by available oral combinations. A pump and tube deliver it into the upper small intestine.
Carbidopa with levodopa, commonly called co-careldopa, treats Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain; carbidopa helps more levodopa reach the brain and reduces peripheral effects. Intestinal gel is reserved for selected people with advanced, levodopa-responsive disease.
Carbimazole reduces excessive thyroid-hormone production. It is used for hyperthyroidism and around thyroid surgery or radioiodine treatment.
Carbocisteine is a mucolytic medicine that makes thick, sticky phlegm easier to cough up. It is used alongside other care for respiratory disorders with excessive, viscous mucus, including chronic obstructive airways disease.
Carbomer is a lubricating eye gel that acts as an artificial tear. It forms a transparent film over the eye surface to relieve symptoms caused by insufficient or unstable tears.
Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy that damages cancer-cell DNA. The selected UK product is licensed for epithelial ovarian cancer and small-cell lung cancer and may be used alone or with other anticancer treatments.
Carboprost tromethamine is a prostaglandin uterotonic that makes the womb contract. In the UK, it is used after childbirth when heavy bleeding caused by poor uterine contraction has not responded adequately to conventional uterotonics.
Carfilzomib is a proteasome inhibitor for adults with previously treated multiple myeloma. It is given with dexamethasone and, depending on the treatment plan, daratumumab or lenalidomide.
Carglumic acid is a specialist treatment for dangerously raised ammonia caused by certain inherited metabolic disorders. It helps the liver convert ammonia into urea for removal.
Cariprazine hydrochloride is an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia in adults. It acts on dopamine and serotonin signalling.
Carmellose sodium is an artificial tear that moistens the eye surface and relieves dry-eye symptoms such as soreness, burning, irritation and dryness.
Carmustine is a nitrosourea chemotherapy that damages cancer-cell DNA. In the UK it is given by intravenous infusion for selected brain and blood cancers, or placed as a biodegradable implant after removal of certain malignant brain tumours.
Caspofungin acetate is an echinocandin antifungal used for serious infections caused by Candida or Aspergillus. It is given into a vein in hospital when an invasive infection is confirmed or strongly suspected.
Catridecacog replaces the missing or ineffective factor XIII A-subunit in congenital deficiency, helping prevent bleeding and manage breakthrough bleeds during prophylaxis.
Cedazuridine + decitabine is an oral anticancer combination used alone for adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who are not eligible for standard induction chemotherapy. Cedazuridine allows more decitabine to reach the bloodstream.
Cefaclor monohydrate is an oral second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic for selected susceptible bacterial infections. Licensed uses vary by formulation.
An oral antibiotic that kills susceptible bacteria by disrupting cell-wall formation. It is licensed for selected throat, chest, urinary, skin and soft-tissue infections when oral treatment is appropriate.
Cefalexin is a prescription cephalosporin antibiotic that kills susceptible bacteria. It is commonly used for bacterial infections affecting the chest, urinary tract, skin and soft tissues, and middle ear.
Cefalexin monohydrate is an oral cephalosporin antibiotic for infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It does not treat viral infections.
Cefepime is a fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that kills susceptible bacteria. It is given by injection or infusion, usually in hospital, for serious infections affecting sites such as the lungs, urinary tract, skin, abdomen or bloodstream.
A fourth-generation cephalosporin antibiotic combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It is given by intravenous infusion in hospital for specified serious infections in adults.
Cefiderocol sulfate tosylate provides cefiderocol, an intravenous siderophore cephalosporin antibiotic. It is licensed for adults with infections caused by aerobic Gram-negative organisms when treatment options are limited, and is classed as a Reserve antibiotic in the UK.
Cefixime is an oral third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The selected UK tablet is licensed for acute respiratory and urinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It does not treat viral infections.
Cefotaxime sodium is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection or infusion, mainly in hospital for severe infections caused or likely to be caused by susceptible bacteria.
Cefoxitin sodium is an injectable second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The selected UK product is used under specialist supervision for susceptible complicated urinary tract infections and kidney infections when more commonly prescribed antibiotics are unsuitable.
Ceftaroline fosamil is an intravenous cephalosporin antibiotic converted to active ceftaroline in the body. Healthcare professionals administer it for complicated skin and soft-tissue infections and community-acquired pneumonia.
Ceftazidime pentahydrate is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection or infusion. It mainly treats serious infections caused by susceptible aerobic Gram-negative bacteria, including some Pseudomonas infections.
Ceftobiprole medocaril sodium is a cephalosporin antibiotic given into a vein in hospital. In the UK, it is licensed for community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia, excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia, in term newborns, children and adults.
A cephalosporin antibiotic combined with a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It is given intravenously in hospital for selected serious or complicated bacterial infections.
Ceftriaxone sodium is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection or infusion for susceptible bacterial infections.
Cefuroxime axetil is an oral cephalosporin antibiotic that the body converts into cefuroxime. It treats selected susceptible bacterial infections, not viral infections.
Cefuroxime sodium is a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that kills susceptible bacteria. Injectable formulations treat selected serious bacterial infections or prevent surgical infection; a specialist eye formulation prevents infection after cataract surgery.
Celecoxib is a prescription-only, COX-2-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It reduces pain and inflammation in adults with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
Celiprolol hydrochloride is a selective beta-blocker with mild vasodilating activity. The selected UK products are licensed to lower blood pressure in adults with hypertension.
Cemiplimab is a monoclonal-antibody immunotherapy that helps immune cells recognise and attack cancer. In adults, it is used for selected skin, lung and cervical cancers, alone or with platinum-based chemotherapy depending on the indication.
Cenobamate is an add-on antiseizure treatment for adults with focal-onset seizures, including those that spread to both sides of the brain, when at least two previous antiseizure treatments have not provided adequate control.
Ceritinib is an oral targeted anticancer treatment called an ALK inhibitor. It is used alone for adults with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer whose tumour tests positive for an ALK alteration, including first-line treatment and treatment after crizotinib.
Certolizumab pegol is a biological treatment that blocks TNF-alpha, a protein involved in inflammation. Specialists use it for certain inflammatory joint, spine and skin conditions in adults.
This topical oral gel combines choline salicylate for pain and inflammation with the antiseptic cetalkonium chloride. Selected UK products are used for painful mouth ulcers, cold sores and sore areas caused by dentures or orthodontic devices.
Cetrimide is a skin antiseptic that kills susceptible bacteria. UK cream and spray products are licensed for minor skin injuries, with uses and precautions differing by formulation.
A topical antiseptic irrigation solution used to cleanse and disinfect wounds, support antiseptic treatment of burns and for certain clinician-led swabbing procedures.
Cetrimide plus chlorhexidine digluconate is a topical antiseptic combination that cleans minor skin injuries and helps prevent infection in small wounds, minor burns, blisters and other minor skin problems.
An emollient, antiseptic and water-repellent cream for cold sores and cracked lips. It protects and softens affected skin; it is not described as an antiviral treatment.
This topical gel combines a local anaesthetic, antiseptic and astringent. It relieves pain, itching and irritation and provides antiseptic protection for insect bites, stings and plant-contact reactions such as nettle rash.
Cetrorelix acetate is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist used during controlled ovarian stimulation. It temporarily prevents an early luteinising hormone surge and premature ovulation before egg collection.
Cetuximab is a targeted monoclonal antibody that blocks epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling. It is used for selected metastatic colorectal cancers and squamous-cell cancers of the head and neck, alone or with other cancer treatments.