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Hepatitis b vaccine (rDNA) is a non-live vaccine made using recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen. It helps prevent hepatitis B in people who are not immune, particularly those with increased exposure risk or kidney failure.
Hexetidine is a locally acting antiseptic mouthwash used for minor mouth and throat conditions, including gingivitis, mouth ulcers, sore throat and oral thrush.
Hexylresorcinol is a local anaesthetic with mild antiseptic activity. The selected UK lozenge temporarily relieves sore throat and associated pain.
Histamine dihydrochloride has two licensed roles: an injectable formulation used with interleukin-2 to maintain first remission in adults with acute myeloid leukaemia, and a skin-prick formulation used as a positive control during allergy testing.
Horse anti-human T lymphocyte immunoglobulin is a horse-derived antibody treatment that reduces immune-system activity, particularly T lymphocytes. In the UK, it is used with other immunosuppressive treatment for certain people with acquired moderate to severe aplastic anaemia when stem-cell transplantation is unsuitable or a suitable donor is unavailable.
Human albumin is a plasma protein purified from donated human blood. It is infused into a vein in hospital to restore or maintain circulating blood volume when volume deficiency is confirmed and a colloid is appropriate.
A plasma-derived replacement for a protective protein in the blood and lungs. It is used in selected adults with severe inherited deficiency and progressive emphysema to slow lung-tissue loss alongside optimal respiratory care.
Human anti-D immunoglobulin is a plasma-derived preparation containing antibodies against the RhD antigen. It is usually given to an RhD-negative person to prevent anti-D antibodies forming during pregnancy or after exposure to RhD-positive blood.
Human C1-esterase inhibitor is a plasma-derived replacement for a naturally occurring blood protein. It treats and helps prevent swelling attacks in hereditary angioedema.
A human plasma-derived prothrombin complex concentrate containing clotting factors II, VII, IX and X and proteins C and S. It rapidly replaces deficient vitamin K-dependent factors, mainly for urgent bleeding or surgery in people treated with vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin.
Human coagulation factor VIII is a plasma-derived clotting-factor replacement. It temporarily increases factor VIII activity in people with haemophilia A, helping blood form a stable clot and prevent or control bleeding.
A plasma-derived concentrate containing factor VIII and von Willebrand factor. The selected UK product prevents and treats bleeding in people of all ages with haemophilia A.
Human coagulation factor X is a plasma-derived clotting-factor replacement. It temporarily replaces factor X in people with hereditary factor X deficiency, helping their blood form a stable clot.
Human cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin (CMVIG) is a plasma-derived preparation containing high levels of antibodies against cytomegalovirus (CMV). It helps prevent clinical CMV illness during immunosuppressive treatment, particularly after transplantation.
Human fibrinogen replaces fibrinogen, also called coagulation factor I. It helps form the fibrin mesh that stabilises blood clots and is used when fibrinogen is absent, reduced or depleted during severe bleeding.
A plasma-derived fibrin sealant applied directly to tissue during surgery. It helps control bleeding when standard surgical techniques are insufficient and can support sutures in vascular surgery.
Human hemin is a haem replacement made from human blood. In specialist hospital care, it treats acute attacks of certain hepatic porphyrias by reducing harmful haem precursors.
A plasma-derived preparation containing IgG antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen. It provides immediate, temporary passive protection after certain exposures and can help prevent hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation.
Human immunoglobulin is a plasma-derived preparation containing mainly IgG antibodies. It replaces missing antibodies or modifies harmful immune activity in selected inflammatory and neurological conditions.
Human normal immunoglobulin is a purified preparation of antibodies, mainly immunoglobulin G, obtained from pooled human plasma. It replaces missing antibodies in immunodeficiency and some intravenous products also modify harmful immune activity in selected inflammatory, neurological and blood disorders.
A recombinant, non-infectious vaccine that helps protect against selected human papillomavirus (HPV) types. It prevents certain HPV-related precancerous lesions, cancers and genital warts, but does not treat existing HPV infection or disease.
Human plasma proteins is pooled human plasma treated to reduce viral risk. It supplies a broad range of clotting proteins when several factors need replacing or during therapeutic plasma exchange.
Human prothrombin complex is a plasma-derived concentrate of proteins needed for blood clotting. It is given into a vein in hospital to replace these factors rapidly and control or prevent serious bleeding.
Human serum albumin is a plasma-derived version of a protein normally found in blood. It is infused into a vein to restore or maintain circulating blood volume when deficiency has been demonstrated and a colloid is appropriate.
Human tetanus immunoglobulin is a plasma-derived preparation containing antibodies against tetanus toxin. It provides temporary protection after certain tetanus-prone injuries and may be given alongside tetanus vaccination.
This human plasma-derived antibody preparation provides temporary passive immunity after exposure to chickenpox or shingles. It is licensed for susceptible people at increased risk of severe infection, but intramuscular VZIG has been withdrawn in the UK and other post-exposure options are generally used.
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that temporarily breaks down hyaluronic acid in connective tissue. It helps injected fluids, local anaesthetics and some medicines spread through tissue, and can assist absorption of excess fluid or blood.
Hydralazine hydrochloride is a prescription vasodilator that relaxes small arteries, reducing resistance to blood flow. In adults, tablets are licensed as add-on treatment for moderate to severe hypertension and, with long-acting nitrates, for selected chronic heart failure. Intravenous treatment is licensed for hypertensive emergencies and hypertension with renal complications.
This combines irbesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, with hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic. It treats essential hypertension in adults whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by either component alone.
This combines an ACE inhibitor with a thiazide diuretic to lower blood pressure. Selected UK products are licensed for mild to moderate hypertension in adults already stabilised on the separate components in matching proportions.
This treatment combines an angiotensin II receptor blocker with a thiazide diuretic. The selected UK product treats essential hypertension when either component alone has not adequately controlled blood pressure.
This combines olmesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, with hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic. It is used for adults with essential hypertension when olmesartan alone has not controlled blood pressure adequately.
This tablet combines telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, with hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic. It treats essential hypertension in adults when telmisartan alone has not controlled blood pressure adequately.
Hydrochlorothiazide + valsartan combines an angiotensin receptor blocker with a thiazide diuretic. It is licensed for adults with essential hypertension not adequately controlled by either component alone.
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that replaces the natural hormone cortisol or reduces inflammation. Oral formulations are mainly used for adrenal insufficiency and congenital adrenal hyperplasia; skin preparations treat inflammatory conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.
This prescription-only skin ointment combines a mild corticosteroid with a tetracycline antibiotic. It treats certain inflamed skin conditions with a secondary bacterial infection.
Hydrocortisone acetate is a mild corticosteroid applied to the skin. It reduces inflammation in contact dermatitis, eczema and reactions to insect bites.
This ointment combines a mild corticosteroid that reduces inflammation and itching with a local anaesthetic that numbs pain. It relieves symptoms around or inside the anus but does not remove the underlying cause.
This topical cream combines miconazole, an antifungal, with hydrocortisone, a mild corticosteroid that reduces inflammation. It treats athlete’s foot or candidal intertrigo accompanied by redness, itching or swelling.
Hydrocortisone butyrate is a topical corticosteroid that reduces skin inflammation. UK products are used for conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and selected forms of psoriasis when infection is not the cause.
Hydrocortisone sodium phosphate is a water-soluble corticosteroid that provides hydrocortisone. Depending on its formulation, it replaces cortisol or treats systemic, soft-tissue or eye inflammation.
Hydrocortisone sodium succinate is a water-soluble corticosteroid given by injection or infusion when a rapid systemic effect is needed, including some severe inflammatory, allergic and adrenal emergencies.
Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidising antiseptic that breaks down rapidly on contact with tissues. UK medicinal products include a cream for superficial skin infections and a solution historically licensed as a mild skin disinfectant, mouthwash or gargle.
Hydromorphone hydrochloride is a strong opioid painkiller. Selected UK prolonged-release capsules and injections or infusions are licensed to relieve severe pain in cancer.
Hydroxycarbamide is an oral cytotoxic treatment that slows DNA production in rapidly dividing cells. Selected UK products are licensed for sickle cell disease, certain myeloproliferative disorders and specific cancer treatment.
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate is an immune-modulating treatment used mainly for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and certain inflammatory skin conditions. Benefit can take several weeks, and it is not a rapid-acting painkiller.
Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is a sedating first-generation antihistamine. The selected UK product is licensed for anxiety in adults and itching associated with urticaria or dermatitis in adults and children.
Hyetellose with sodium chloride is a lubricant eye-drop preparation that substitutes for natural tears and relieves dry-eye symptoms associated with reduced tear production.
Hyoscine is an antimuscarinic anti-sickness treatment. The transdermal patch is licensed to prevent travel-sickness symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and vertigo.
Hyoscine butylbromide is a peripheral antimuscarinic antispasmodic that relaxes smooth muscle in the digestive, biliary and urinary tracts. Tablets relieve gastrointestinal or genitourinary spasm and IBS symptoms; injections are used for acute spasm and some diagnostic procedures.
Hyoscine hydrobromide is an antimuscarinic that reduces signalling involved in nausea, vomiting and bodily secretions. Tablets can prevent travel sickness; injections have several hospital uses.
Hypromellose is an ocular lubricant that acts as an artificial tear. It coats and moistens the eye surface to relieve dryness and irritation caused by reduced or unstable tears.
Ibandronic sodium monohydrate supplies ibandronic acid, a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate that slows osteoclast-driven bone breakdown. Selected UK products are licensed for postmenopausal osteoporosis; intravenous infusion products are also licensed for breast-cancer bone metastases and tumour-induced hypercalcaemia.
Ibrutinib is a targeted anticancer treatment called a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is used in adults with certain B-cell blood cancers, alone or alongside other cancer treatments.
This combines ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory painkiller, with paracetamol, which reduces pain and fever differently. Oral products are licensed for temporary mild-to-moderate pain not adequately relieved by either ingredient alone; an intravenous formulation is licensed for acute moderate pain or fever when intravenous treatment is necessary.
This combination contains an NSAID painkiller and an oral nasal decongestant. It relieves cold and flu symptoms when congestion occurs with pain, headache, fever, sore throat or sinus pressure.
Combines ibuprofen, an NSAID, with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, to relieve nasal or sinus congestion alongside pain or fever symptoms.
Icatibant acetate treats acute hereditary angioedema attacks caused by C1-esterase-inhibitor deficiency. It relieves attacks but does not prevent future ones.
Icosapent ethyl is a purified prescription omega-3 fatty-acid derivative converted to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Alongside a statin, it reduces cardiovascular events in selected adults with raised triglycerides and high cardiovascular risk.
Idarubicin hydrochloride is an anthracycline chemotherapy used mainly to induce remission in acute leukaemia, often with other chemotherapy. Selected oral capsules are also licensed for advanced breast cancer in particular circumstances.