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Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory treatment used mainly for gout. It treats inflammation during attacks and can help prevent flares when urate-lowering treatment starts, but does not lower uric acid.
Colecalciferol, also called cholecalciferol or vitamin D3, helps the body absorb calcium and phosphate. It prevents or treats vitamin D deficiency and may support osteoporosis treatment when vitamin D is insufficient.
Colesevelam hydrochloride is a bile acid sequestrant that stays in the gut and lowers LDL cholesterol. It is used alongside diet, either alone when a statin is unsuitable or with other cholesterol-lowering treatments.
Colestyramine anhydrous is a bile acid-binding resin that remains in the gut. It lowers cholesterol and relieves certain forms of itching or diarrhoea linked to bile acids.
Colistimethate sodium is converted to the active antibiotic colistin. It is inhaled for chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in cystic fibrosis, while intravenous treatment is reserved for serious Gram-negative infections when options are limited.
Conestat alfa is a recombinant version of human C1 esterase inhibitor, produced in the milk of genetically modified rabbits. It treats acute swelling attacks caused by C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency in hereditary angioedema.
Crizotinib is an oral targeted anticancer treatment that blocks abnormal signalling from ALK, ROS1 and related proteins. In the UK, it is licensed for selected advanced non-small cell lung cancers in adults and certain ALK-positive tumours in children and adolescents.
Crotamiton is a topical antipruritic that relieves itching and skin irritation. It also acts against scabies mites and is licensed for treating scabies.
This topical combination pairs crotamiton’s anti-itch action with the anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of mild corticosteroid hydrocortisone. It is used on small areas of inflamed, itchy skin caused by certain forms of dermatitis, eczema or insect-bite reactions.
Crovalimab is a monoclonal antibody and complement C5 inhibitor used alone to control red blood cell destruction in eligible adults and adolescents with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH).
Cyanocobalamin is a manufactured form of vitamin B12 used to prevent or treat deficiency. It supports healthy red blood-cell formation and nervous-system function.
Cyclizine hydrochloride is a sedating antihistamine with anti-sickness and anticholinergic effects. It can prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting and help vertigo linked to inner-ear disorders.
This combines dipipanone, a strong opioid painkiller, with cyclizine, an anti-sickness antihistamine. It is licensed for moderate to severe pain where morphine may be appropriate, while helping prevent opioid-related nausea and vomiting.
Cyclizine lactate is an injectable antihistamine with anti-sickness and anticholinergic effects. Selected UK products are licensed for adults to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, particularly when oral treatment cannot be used, and for certain vestibular symptoms.
Cyclopentolate hydrochloride is an antimuscarinic eye drop that widens the pupil and temporarily prevents focusing. It is usually used during eye examinations and may support management of certain inflammatory eye conditions.
Cyclophosphamide is a cytotoxic alkylating agent used for certain blood cancers, solid tumours and selected life-threatening autoimmune diseases. Specialist-led treatment can affect blood cells, fertility, the bladder and other organs.
Cyclophosphamide monohydrate supplies cyclophosphamide, an alkylating cytotoxic treatment that also suppresses immune activity. It is used mainly for cancers; an injectable product is also licensed for certain life-threatening autoimmune diseases.
Cycloserine is an antibiotic used mainly by specialist teams for susceptible tuberculosis when primary treatments have failed. Its UK licence also covers selected acute urinary tract infections after conventional treatment has failed.
Cyproterone acetate is a hormonal anti-androgen that blocks androgen action and reduces androgen production. Selected UK products are used in prostate cancer care and, when other interventions are inappropriate, to control libido in adult men with severe hypersexuality or sexual deviation.
A combined hormonal treatment containing an anti-androgen and an oestrogen. It treats androgen-sensitive moderate to severe acne or excessive hair growth in women of reproductive age when appropriate acne treatments have not worked. Although contraceptive, it should not be used solely for contraception.
Cytarabine is an antimetabolite chemotherapy that disrupts DNA production in rapidly dividing cells. It is mainly used, alone or with other anticancer treatments, for leukaemias and some lymphomas.
This is a liposomal combination chemotherapy containing cytarabine and daunorubicin. In the UK, it is used for adults with newly diagnosed therapy-related acute myeloid leukaemia or acute myeloid leukaemia with myelodysplasia-related changes.
Dabigatran etexilate is a direct oral anticoagulant converted in the body to dabigatran. It reduces blood-clot formation and is used for selected people with atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism or recent elective hip or knee replacement surgery.
An oral anticoagulant converted in the body to dabigatran. It helps prevent or treat harmful blood clots in selected adults and children.
Dabrafenib mesilate is a targeted anti-cancer treatment that blocks abnormal BRAF signalling in tumours with a suitable BRAF V600 mutation. It is licensed for selected melanomas and non-small cell lung cancer in adults, and with trametinib for certain childhood gliomas.
Dacarbazine citrate is intravenous cytotoxic chemotherapy. The selected UK product is licensed for metastatic malignant melanoma and, in combination chemotherapy, advanced Hodgkin lymphoma and certain advanced adult soft-tissue sarcomas.
Dacomitinib monohydrate is an oral targeted anticancer treatment called a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is licensed as first treatment for adults with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer that has an activating EGFR mutation.
Dactinomycin is cytotoxic chemotherapy that blocks cancer-cell growth by binding to DNA. In the UK, it is used for selected solid tumours and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, usually within specialist combination or multimodal treatment.
Dalbavancin hydrochloride is a long-acting antibiotic that kills susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. In the UK, it is licensed for acute bacterial infections of the skin and tissues beneath the skin in adults and children from birth. A healthcare professional administers it into a vein.
Dalteparin sodium is a low molecular weight heparin anticoagulant injected under the skin. It reduces blood clotting and is used in selected patients to treat or prevent clots and manage clot-related complications in unstable coronary disease.
Danaparoid sodium is an injectable anticoagulant that mainly reduces factor Xa activity and limits clot formation. In the UK, it is licensed to prevent deep-vein thrombosis around general or orthopaedic surgery and to treat thromboembolism when urgent injectable anticoagulation is needed because of current or previous heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Dantrolene sodium is a direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxant. Oral capsules treat chronic severe spasticity, while the intravenous formulation is used with supportive measures during malignant hyperthermia emergencies.
Dantrolene sodium hemiheptahydrate is a direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxant. This intravenous product treats malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening reaction involving uncontrolled muscle activity and heat production.
Combines an SGLT2 inhibitor with a biguanide in one tablet for adults with type 2 diabetes when metformin-based treatment is insufficient or both ingredients are already taken separately.
A fixed-dose oral combination of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin and DPP-4 inhibitor saxagliptin for specified circumstances in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Dapsone is a sulfone with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Oral dapsone is used for leprosy, certain inflammatory skin disorders and prevention of specified infections in people with weakened immunity.
Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic given into a vein for certain serious Gram-positive infections of the skin and soft tissue, bloodstream or right side of the heart.
Daratumumab targets CD38 on abnormal plasma cells. It is mainly used alone or with other treatments for multiple myeloma. The subcutaneous formulation is also licensed for high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma and newly diagnosed systemic AL amyloidosis.
Darbepoetin alfa is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent that acts like the natural kidney hormone erythropoietin. It is used for symptomatic anaemia in chronic kidney failure and in certain adults receiving chemotherapy.
Daridorexant hydrochloride is a dual orexin receptor antagonist that reduces the brain’s drive to stay awake. It is licensed for adults whose insomnia has lasted at least 3 months and considerably affects daytime functioning.
Darifenacin is an antimuscarinic treatment for adults with overactive bladder syndrome. It reduces urinary urgency, frequency and leakage caused by urgency by relaxing bladder activity.
Darifenacin hydrobromide is an antimuscarinic that reduces involuntary bladder-muscle activity. It is licensed for adults with urinary urgency, increased frequency or urge incontinence caused by overactive bladder syndrome.
Darolutamide is an androgen receptor inhibitor used to slow the growth of certain prostate cancers. In the UK, it is used for high-risk non-metastatic castration-resistant disease and metastatic hormone-sensitive disease alongside androgen deprivation therapy, sometimes with docetaxel.
Darunavir is an antiretroviral protease inhibitor used to treat HIV-1. It is taken with ritonavir or cobicistat to increase its level, alongside other antiretroviral medicines.
Darunavir ethanolate is an HIV protease inhibitor used with other antiretroviral treatments for HIV-1. Ritonavir or cobicistat slows its breakdown to maintain effective exposure.
Darunavir propylene glycolate is an antiretroviral protease inhibitor used with ritonavir and other antiretrovirals to treat HIV-1 infection. It lowers viral replication but does not cure HIV.
Dasatinib is a targeted anticancer treatment called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is used for certain Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukaemias, including chronic myeloid leukaemia and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Dasatinib monohydrate is a targeted anticancer treatment called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is used for Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia and certain cases of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Daunorubicin hydrochloride is an anthracycline chemotherapy treatment for acute leukaemia. It is usually given with other anticancer treatments to destroy abnormal blood-forming cells and help induce remission.
Decitabine is an anticancer antimetabolite that changes DNA methylation and can suppress leukaemia cells. The selected Great Britain product is licensed for adults with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia who are unsuitable for standard induction chemotherapy.
Deferasirox is an oral iron chelator that binds excess iron so it can leave the body, mainly in faeces. Specialist teams prescribe it for iron overload caused by repeated blood transfusions or certain thalassaemia syndromes.
Deferiprone is an oral iron chelator that binds excess iron so it can be removed from the body. It is used for iron overload in thalassaemia major when other chelation is unsuitable or inadequate, sometimes alongside another chelator in specialist care.
Defibrotide is a hospital-administered antithrombotic treatment for severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease, also called sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, following haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. It helps protect blood-vessel linings and balance clot formation and breakdown.
Deflazacort is an oral corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and immune activity. It is prescribed for severe allergic, inflammatory, autoimmune and blood disorders, and for immunosuppression after transplantation.
Degarelix acetate is a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist that lowers testosterone. It is used for hormone-dependent prostate cancer, including certain high-risk cancers treated before or alongside radiotherapy.
Delafloxacin meglumine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic for certain serious bacterial skin infections and community-acquired pneumonia in adults. It is reserved for situations where commonly recommended antibiotics are inappropriate because fluoroquinolones can rarely cause disabling or potentially irreversible reactions.
Demeclocycline hydrochloride is a tetracycline antibiotic used for susceptible bacterial infections, including severe acne. It is also licensed for chronic hyponatraemia caused by SIADH associated with malignant disease when water restriction has failed and cirrhosis is absent.
This live attenuated vaccine generates immune responses against all four dengue virus serotypes. It is licensed to prevent dengue disease from age 4, subject to official recommendations. UK recommendations mainly focus on people with likely previous dengue infection who face travel-related or occupational exposure.
Denosumab is a biological antiresorptive treatment that reduces bone breakdown. It is used for osteoporosis and treatment-related bone loss, and in different formulations for bone complications of advanced cancer and selected giant cell tumours of bone.
Dequalinium chloride is a locally acting anti-infective antiseptic. The selected UK product is a vaginal tablet licensed to treat bacterial vaginosis, an imbalance of vaginal bacteria.