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Sacituzumab govitecan is a targeted anticancer treatment that combines a Trop-2-binding antibody with SN-38, a chemotherapy component. In the UK, it is licensed for certain adults with advanced or metastatic breast cancer after specified previous treatments.
Sacubitril + valsartan is an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor used for symptomatic chronic heart failure. It combines two actions that reduce cardiovascular strain and support protective natriuretic peptides.
Safinamide is a selective, reversible monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor added to stable levodopa treatment for adults with mid- to late-stage Parkinson’s disease and motor fluctuations.
Safinamide methansulfonate is a selective, reversible monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor for Parkinson’s disease. It is added to established levodopa treatment in adults whose movement control fluctuates between better “ON” periods and more difficult “OFF” periods.
Salbutamol sulfate is a short-acting bronchodilator that quickly relaxes tightened airway muscles. Inhaled forms relieve wheeze, breathlessness and reversible airway narrowing; nebulised and injectable forms are used in selected severe or specialist situations.
Salicylic acid is a topical keratolytic that softens and loosens thickened outer skin. Selected products treat warts and verrucas or hyperkeratotic, scaling conditions such as psoriasis.
Salmeterol xinafoate is an inhaled long-acting beta2 agonist that relaxes airway muscle to help keep airways open. It is used regularly for asthma and COPD, but is not a fast-acting reliever. In asthma, it must be used alongside corticosteroid treatment.
Salmonella typhi strain ty 21a is a live, weakened bacterial vaccine taken by mouth. It reduces the risk of typhoid fever in adults and children aged 5 years and older but does not treat typhoid or provide complete protection.
Sapropterin dihydrochloride is a synthetic form of tetrahydrobiopterin, a natural cofactor needed to process phenylalanine. It lowers blood phenylalanine in people with responsive phenylketonuria or tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency and is used alongside specialist dietary care.
Sarilumab is a biological treatment that reduces inflammation by blocking interleukin-6 signalling. In the UK, it is used under specialist supervision for certain adults with rheumatoid arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatica when previous treatment has not worked adequately or is unsuitable.
A protein-subunit COVID-19 vaccine containing laboratory-made spike protein from the SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 variant and the Matrix-M adjuvant. It trains the immune system to recognise the spike protein and help prevent COVID-19. It contains no live coronavirus and cannot cause COVID-19.
Satralizumab is an immunosuppressive monoclonal antibody used to reduce relapses in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). It may be used alone or with certain other immunosuppressive treatments in eligible adults and adolescents.
Saxagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor used with diet and exercise to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It may be used alone when metformin is unsuitable or with other diabetes treatments.
Saxagliptin hydrochloride is a DPP-4 inhibitor used to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It supports diet and exercise and may be used alone when metformin is unsuitable or alongside other diabetes treatments.
Sebelipase alfa is a recombinant form of lysosomal acid lipase used as enzyme replacement therapy for lysosomal acid lipase deficiency, an inherited condition in which fats accumulate within cells and can damage the liver and other organs.
Sebetralstat is an oral plasma kallikrein inhibitor used to treat hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks. It limits bradykinin-driven swelling but does not correct the inherited cause of HAE.
Secukinumab is a biologic antibody that reduces inflammation by blocking interleukin-17A. It is used for selected inflammatory conditions affecting the skin, joints and spine, usually when systemic or conventional treatments have not worked well enough.
Seladelpar lysine dihydrate provides seladelpar, a selective PPAR-delta agonist for primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and associated itching in adults. It is licensed with ursodeoxycholic acid when response is inadequate, or alone when ursodeoxycholic acid cannot be tolerated.
Selegiline hydrochloride is a selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor used to relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and symptomatic parkinsonism. It may be used alone in early disease or alongside levodopa when symptom control fluctuates.
Selexipag is an oral treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a condition affecting blood vessels between the heart and lungs. It is licensed for long-term treatment of certain adults, usually alongside other PAH treatments or alone when those treatments are unsuitable.
Selinexor is an oral targeted anticancer treatment for adults with previously treated multiple myeloma. It is licensed for use with other myeloma treatments rather than alone.
Selpercatinib is an oral targeted anticancer treatment that blocks abnormal RET signalling. It is used for certain advanced lung and thyroid cancers when testing confirms a relevant RET gene alteration.
Selumetinib is an oral selective MEK inhibitor for symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 when complete surgical removal is not possible. The granule formulation is licensed for children aged 1 to under 7 years and older people with swallowing difficulties.
Selumetinib hydrogen sulfate is a targeted MEK inhibitor used for symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas that cannot be operated on in people with neurofibromatosis type 1. The selected UK product is licensed for adults and children aged 3 years and older and is prescribed through specialist care.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist available as injections and tablets. Depending on the product, it is licensed for type 2 diabetes, weight management and selected obesity-related cardiovascular or liver disease.
Senna fruit extract with Tinnevelly senna pods is a plant-derived stimulant laxative licensed for short-term relief of occasional constipation. It works mainly in the large bowel.
Sennoside is a stimulant laxative derived from senna fruit, used for short-term relief of occasional constipation when dietary fibre, fluids and activity have not been sufficient.
Sertraline hydrochloride is a prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used for depression and several anxiety-related conditions.
Setmelanotide is a prescription injection that activates the brain’s melanocortin-4 receptor pathway. It is used under specialist supervision for hunger and obesity caused by certain rare genetic conditions or acquired hypothalamic injury; it is not a general weight-loss treatment.
Sevelamer hydrochloride is a non-absorbed, calcium-free phosphate binder. It is used alongside dietary and other renal care to control high blood phosphate in adults receiving haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
Sevoflurane is a volatile general anaesthetic inhaled as vapour. An anaesthetist uses it to start or maintain unconsciousness during surgery in adults and children.
Sildenafil citrate is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. Selected UK products are licensed for erectile dysfunction in adult men and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in specified adults and children.
Siltuximab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin‑6, an inflammatory signalling protein. It is used under specialist supervision for eligible adults with multicentric Castleman disease who are HIV-negative and HHV‑8-negative.
Simeticone is an antiflatulent that acts locally in the gut. It is used for relief of trapped wind, bloating, abdominal distension and discomfort associated with intestinal gas, although evidence of benefit is limited.
Simoctocog alfa is a recombinant human clotting factor VIII that replaces deficient factor VIII in haemophilia A to treat bleeding and help prevent bleeds in adults and children.
Simvastatin is a statin that lowers cholesterol and other blood fats. It is used with diet and other measures to treat high cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk in people with established atherosclerotic disease or diabetes.
Siponimod fumaric acid is an oral sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator. It is used under specialist supervision for adults with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis that remains active through relapses or inflammatory MRI findings.
Sirolimus is an immunosuppressant that blocks the mTOR pathway. It is mainly used to help prevent rejection after kidney transplantation and to treat sporadic lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare lung disease.
Sitagliptin hydrochloride monohydrate is a form of sitagliptin, a prescription DPP-4 inhibitor for adults with type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose alongside diet and physical activity, either alone when metformin is unsuitable or with other diabetes medicines.
Sodium acid phosphate is an inorganic phosphate salt supplied as an effervescent tablet. It is licensed for selected causes of high blood calcium and for low phosphate associated with vitamin D-resistant bone disorders. Its role is to supply phosphate or reduce calcium absorption from the gut.
A rectal laxative supplied as a disposable micro-enema. It helps soften retained stool and empty the lower bowel, and is also used before certain bowel examinations.
Sodium chloride is salt supplied in medicinal forms to replace sodium and chloride, restore fluid balance, or carry compatible injected medicines. Some products are sterile solutions for washing the eye or irrigating tissues.
Sodium chloride with succinylated gelatin is an intravenous colloid solution that temporarily replaces fluid lost from the circulation. It is used in hospital when circulating blood volume needs support and crystalloid fluids alone are insufficient.
Sodium citrate is an alkalising antacid used before general anaesthesia for caesarean birth to make stomach contents less acidic if regurgitation and aspiration occur.
Sodium feredetate trihydrate is an oral iron preparation in which iron is bound in a chelate. It is used to replace iron in iron deficiency anaemia, including in children and in pregnancy when other oral iron preparations are not well tolerated.
Sodium fluoride is a mineral treatment used on teeth to prevent and treat dental caries. This prescription toothpaste is intended for people aged 10 years or over who need greater protection from decay affecting tooth crowns or exposed roots.
Sodium fusidate is the sodium salt of fusidic acid, a narrow-spectrum antibiotic with particular activity against staphylococci. In the selected products, an ointment treats susceptible bacterial skin infections, while tablets treat susceptible staphylococcal infections affecting the skin, wounds, bone, lungs, blood, heart tissue or cystic fibrosis.
Sodium hydrogen carbonate, also called sodium bicarbonate, is an alkalinising salt. It neutralises acid or replaces bicarbonate and is used for indigestion and selected metabolic acidosis, poisoning and emergency-care situations.
An antacid and antiflatulent oral solution for babies, licensed to relieve distress associated with trapped wind in infants. Evidence that gripe water improves infant colic is limited.
Sodium iodide I 123 is a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical taken up by the thyroid gland. Its gamma radiation allows assessment of thyroid function, appearance and iodine uptake; it is not a treatment.
A rinse-off shampoo containing two cleansing surfactants. The selected product is licensed to treat infant cradle cap and care for infant scalp and hair.
Sodium nitrite is an emergency antidote used in hospital for acute cyanide poisoning judged to be life-threatening. It is used with sodium thiosulfate alongside oxygen, supportive care and appropriate decontamination.
Sodium nitrite plus sodium thiosulfate is a two-part antidote used in hospital for acute cyanide poisoning judged to be life-threatening. It is used alongside urgent decontamination, oxygen and other supportive care.
Sodium nitroprusside dihydrate is a potent intravenous vasodilator that relaxes arteries and veins. In adults, it is used in closely monitored hospital settings for hypertensive crises or controlled blood-pressure reduction during surgery.
Sodium oxybate is a central nervous system depressant used at night for narcolepsy with cataplexy. It can reduce sudden muscle weakness, improve disrupted night-time sleep and lessen excessive daytime sleepiness, but does not cure narcolepsy.
Solifenacin succinate is an antimuscarinic medicine that relaxes an overactive bladder. It can reduce urinary urgency, frequent urination and urge leakage. The oral suspension also has a licensed role in children with neurogenic detrusor overactivity.
Sotatercept is a biological treatment used alongside other therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults with functional limitations.
Sparsentan is a non-immunosuppressive treatment that blocks endothelin and angiotensin receptors involved in kidney damage. It is licensed in the UK for adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy and significant protein leakage into the urine.
Sugammadex is used during general anaesthesia to reverse the muscle-relaxing effects of rocuronium or vecuronium, allowing muscle function and breathing to recover.
Sulthiame is a carbonic anhydrase-inhibiting antiseizure medicine. The selected UK product is licensed for Rolandic epilepsy in children and adolescents under an experienced paediatric neurologist.