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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.
Desferrioxamine mesilate binds excess iron and aluminium so they can leave the body. It is mainly used for iron overload, acute iron poisoning and selected dialysis-related aluminium overload.
Desflurane is an inhaled general anaesthetic that causes reversible unconsciousness and reduced pain sensation during surgery. In adults it may start or maintain anaesthesia; in children it is licensed only for maintenance.
Desloratadine is a less-sedating antihistamine used to relieve allergic rhinitis and urticaria symptoms, including sneezing, an itchy or runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, itching and hives.
Desmopressin acetate trihydrate is a synthetic form of arginine vasopressin, which helps the kidneys conserve water. The selected nasal spray is mainly used for vasopressin-sensitive central diabetes insipidus and specialist testing of kidney concentrating ability.
Desogestrel is an oestrogen-free, progestogen-only contraceptive. It prevents pregnancy mainly by suppressing ovulation.
Desogestrel + ethinylestradiol is a combined oral contraceptive containing a progestogen and an oestrogen. It is licensed to prevent pregnancy.
Deucravacitinib is an oral, selective tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor licensed for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy.
Dexamethasone is a long-acting corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and suppresses immune activity. Oral products treat many steroid-responsive disorders and cerebral swelling; eye drops treat selected inflammation at the front of the eye.
This prescription eye treatment combines dexamethasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, with the antibiotics neomycin and polymyxin B. It is licensed for steroid-responsive eye conditions requiring preventive antibacterial cover, after viral and fungal disease have been excluded.
These eye drops combine an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid with an aminoglycoside antibiotic. The selected UK product is licensed after cataract surgery to control inflammation and help prevent associated bacterial infection.
This prescription-only preparation combines dexamethasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, with the locally acting antibiotics framycetin and gramicidin. It is used for selected inflammatory eye conditions needing antibacterial cover and for inflammation of the outer ear canal.
Dexamethasone sodium phosphate is a corticosteroid converted in the body to dexamethasone. Oral and injectable forms treat serious inflammatory, allergic, immune, neurological and cancer-related conditions; eye drops treat non-infectious eye inflammation.
These prescription eye drops combine dexamethasone, a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation, with levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. They are licensed for adults after cataract surgery to prevent and treat inflammation and prevent eye infection.
Dexamfetamine sulfate is a centrally acting stimulant. Selected UK products are licensed for ADHD in children and adolescents when methylphenidate has not worked well enough; the selected oral solution is also licensed for narcolepsy in adults.
Dexibuprofen is the active form of ibuprofen and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It relieves pain and inflammation.
This combines dexketoprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), with tramadol, an opioid painkiller. It is licensed for moderate to severe acute pain in adults when both components are considered necessary.
Dexketoprofen trometamol is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces pain and inflammation by limiting prostaglandin production. The selected UK product is licensed for mild to moderate pain.
Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride is a sedative used by specialist hospital teams. It provides monitored, generally light-to-moderate sedation for adults in intensive care or during certain diagnostic and surgical procedures, while patients may remain rousable.
An oral combination of five water-soluble B-vitamin substances, licensed to prevent or treat vitamin B-complex deficiency rather than as a general tonic.
This nasal spray combines xylometazoline, which reduces swelling inside the nose, with dexpanthenol, which supports the nasal lining. It relieves a blocked nose in adults and young people aged 12 years and over.
Dexrazoxane is a cytotoxic antidote used when anthracycline chemotherapy accidentally leaks into surrounding tissue. The selected UK product is licensed for adults; specialist teams may also use dexrazoxane outside its licence to reduce anthracycline-related heart damage.
Dexrazoxane is a cardioprotective and cytotoxic agent used alongside certain anthracycline cancer treatments. The selected UK product is licensed to reduce cumulative heart damage in selected adults with advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Dextran 70 with hypromellose is an artificial-tear eye-drop combination. It coats and lubricates the eye surface to relieve dryness and irritation caused by inadequate tears or mucus.
This combination suppresses the cough reflex and contains a sedating antihistamine. The selected product is licensed for night-time relief of dry cough and congestive cold symptoms.
A sedating oral cough preparation for night-time relief of persistent, dry, irritating cough and to aid restful sleep in adults and young people aged 12 years and over.