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Light liquid paraffin is an emollient that leaves an oily barrier on the skin, reducing water loss and improving hydration. Selected bath and shower preparations cleanse and soothe dry, itchy skin.
This paraffin-based emollient cream softens and moisturises dry skin. It forms a protective surface film that reduces water loss and supports conditions such as eczema, contact dermatitis and ichthyosis.
Linaclotide is a gut-acting guanylate cyclase-C receptor agonist for symptoms of moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in adults, including constipation, abdominal pain and bloating.
Linagliptin is an oral DPP-4 inhibitor for adults with type 2 diabetes. It supports blood glucose control alongside diet and exercise, either alone when metformin is unsuitable or with other diabetes treatments.
This prescription combination contains linagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, and metformin, a biguanide. It is used alongside diet and exercise to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic used for serious infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, including some resistant strains. Treatment is normally started in hospital after specialist advice.
Liothyronine sodium is a synthetic form of triiodothyronine (T3), a naturally occurring thyroid hormone. It acts faster and for a shorter time than levothyroxine and is mainly reserved for severe thyroid-hormone deficiency or selected specialist-led situations.
Liquid paraffin is an oily emollient that reduces moisture loss from the skin. In the selected product, it disperses in bath water to soften and protect dry, itchy or scaly skin.
This paraffin-containing aqueous cream relieves dry-skin symptoms and can replace soap during washing. It forms an oily barrier that reduces moisture loss, but its sodium lauryl sulfate may irritate skin, especially in children with atopic eczema.
This oral expectorant mixture was formerly marketed as Mentholated Bronchial Balsam. It was licensed for symptomatic relief of productive coughs and sore throats, but the selected product is discontinued.
Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces appetite, increases fullness and affects glucose-dependent insulin and glucagon release. Selected products are licensed for weight management alongside dietary and physical-activity measures; other products may be licensed for type 2 diabetes.
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate is a central nervous system stimulant prodrug converted in the blood to dexamfetamine. Selected Elvanse capsules are licensed as part of a comprehensive ADHD treatment programme under specialist supervision.
Lithium carbonate is a mood stabiliser used mainly for mania and bipolar affective illness. Safe use depends on regular blood tests because effective and toxic concentrations can be close.
Lithium citrate is a liquid form of lithium, a mood stabiliser used for mania and hypomania, prevention of recurrent affective illness, and some recurrent depression when antidepressants have not worked.
A live oral vaccine containing a weakened human rotavirus strain. It helps protect infants against gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus but does not prevent diarrhoea or vomiting from other infections.
Lodoxamide trometamol is a prescription-only anti-allergic eye treatment that stabilises mast cells. It is used for non-infectious allergic conjunctivitis, including vernal, giant papillary and allergic-atopic forms.
Lofepramine hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant. The selected oral suspension is licensed to treat symptoms of depressive illness by changing monoamine signalling in the brain.
Lomitapide is a specialist lipid-lowering treatment for adults with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, a rare inherited cause of extremely high cholesterol. It is used alongside a low-fat diet and other lipid-lowering treatments, sometimes including LDL apheresis.
Lomustine is an oral cytotoxic chemotherapy from the nitrosourea group, used with other cancer treatments for certain brain tumours and other cancers.
Loncastuximab tesirine is an antibody–drug conjugate that targets CD19 on B cells and delivers a cell-killing payload. In the UK, it is licensed on its own for adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma or high-grade B-cell lymphoma after two or more systemic treatments.
Loperamide hydrochloride is an antimotility treatment that reduces diarrhoea by slowing movement through the bowel. It treats symptoms but does not correct dehydration or the underlying cause.
This combines an antimotility treatment for diarrhoea with an antifoaming agent for gas-related discomfort. It is used for sudden diarrhoea with bloating, cramps or flatulence.
Lopinavir + ritonavir is an antiretroviral combination used with other treatments to control HIV-1 infection. Lopinavir suppresses the virus, while ritonavir increases lopinavir exposure. It does not cure HIV.
Loprazolam mesilate is a prescription benzodiazepine hypnotic used for short-term treatment of severe insomnia. It can help when falling asleep is difficult or sleep is repeatedly interrupted.
Loratadine is a less-sedating antihistamine that blocks histamine involved in allergic reactions. It is commonly used to relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms and itchy hives.
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that reduces excessive brain activity. Selected products are licensed for severe anxiety, anxiety-related insomnia, procedural premedication and, for the injection, certain acute hospital emergencies including status epilepticus.
Lorlatinib is a targeted anticancer treatment called an ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is used alone for adults with advanced ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer, either before another ALK inhibitor or after the cancer has progressed following one.
Lormetazepam is a benzodiazepine hypnotic that reduces brain activity and promotes sleep. It is licensed for short-term treatment of insomnia that is disabling or causing extreme distress.
Loteprednol etabonate is a corticosteroid applied directly to the eye. The selected UK product is licensed to reduce inflammation following eye surgery.
Lumasiran sodium is a small interfering RNA treatment for primary hyperoxaluria type 1, an inherited condition causing excess oxalate production. It reduces oxalate formation and is used under specialist supervision in people of all ages.
Lurasidone hydrochloride is an atypical antipsychotic. The selected product is licensed to treat schizophrenia in adults and adolescents aged 13 years and over.
Lutetium (177Lu) oxodotreotide is a targeted radioactive treatment for certain neuroendocrine tumours. It carries radiation to tumour cells that have somatostatin receptors, with the aim of controlling progressive disease.
A therapeutic radiopharmaceutical that carries lutetium-177 radiation to prostate cancer cells expressing prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). It is used for selected adults with PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer after specified previous treatments or when taxanes are unsuitable.
Lutropin alfa is a recombinant form of human luteinising hormone (LH). It is used with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to support ovarian follicle development in adult women with severe LH and FSH deficiency.
Lymecycline is a tetracycline antibiotic used mainly for acne. Selected UK products are also licensed for certain infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
Macimorelin acetate is an oral diagnostic agent that stimulates growth hormone release. It is used under specialist supervision to help diagnose growth hormone deficiency in adults; it is not a treatment.
Macitentan is an endothelin receptor antagonist used in specialist care for pulmonary arterial hypertension. It reduces the effects of endothelin, which narrows and remodels blood vessels in the lungs.
An osmotic bowel-cleansing preparation containing macrogol 3350 and electrolytes. It produces watery bowel movements to empty the colon before certain investigations or surgery; it is not the same as routine low-volume macrogol treatment for constipation.
Macrogol 4000 is an osmotic laxative that retains water in the bowel, softening stools and making them easier to pass. It is used for symptomatic treatment of constipation alongside appropriate diet, fluid intake and activity.
Macrogol cetostearyl ether is an emulsifying ingredient in a paraffin-containing skin cream. The selected product is licensed as an emollient and as a diluent for externally applied preparations.
An infant reflux suppressant powder that thickens and stabilises stomach contents to reduce regurgitation and gastro-oesophageal reflux in infants and young children.
Magnesium aspartate dihydrate is an oral mineral preparation that supplies magnesium. The selected product is licensed to treat and prevent magnesium deficiency in adults and children aged 2 years and over.
This is a cardioplegic concentrate used during heart surgery. After dilution, it is infused into the coronary arteries during cardiopulmonary bypass to stop the heart beating temporarily and provide a still operating field.
A balanced, isotonic electrolyte solution given into a vein to replace extracellular fluid during illness, injury, surgery or blood-loss shock. It can also help correct mild to moderate metabolic acidosis.
Magnesium citrate is a mineral salt used to replace magnesium when body levels are low. The selected prescription tablet is licensed to treat and prevent magnesium deficiency in people aged 12 years and over.
Magnesium glycerophosphate is an oral mineral supplement used to restore low magnesium levels. It supports normal enzyme activity, nerve signalling and muscle function.
Magnesium hydroxide is a magnesium salt that acts as both an antacid and a laxative. It is used for short-term relief of indigestion-related symptoms and occasional constipation.
Magnesium sulfate heptahydrate is available as hospital injections or infusions and as Epsom Salts crystals. It replaces magnesium and helps control or prevent seizures associated with severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia; crystals also have licensed oral and external uses.
Mannitol is an osmotic agent. It may be given by infusion in hospital to increase urine flow or reduce pressure in the brain or eye; inhaled mannitol is used under supervision to test airway sensitivity.
Maraviroc is an antiretroviral that blocks the CCR5 receptor used by some HIV-1 strains to enter cells. It is used with other antiretrovirals for treatment-experienced people whose HIV has been confirmed as CCR5-tropic; it does not cure HIV.
Maribavir is a direct-acting antiviral used for adults with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or disease after a stem-cell or solid-organ transplant. Its licensed role is for CMV that has not responded to one or more specified antiviral treatments, whether or not resistance is confirmed.
Mavacamten is a cardiac myosin inhibitor for adults with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It reduces excessive heart-muscle contraction and obstruction to blood leaving the heart. Treatment requires specialist supervision, genetic testing and echocardiographic monitoring.
A combined live attenuated vaccine that helps protect against measles, mumps and rubella. In current practice, it is used particularly for eligible older children and adults needing catch-up protection, while younger children are routinely offered MMRV.
This live vaccine contains weakened measles, mumps and rubella viruses and prompts the immune system to make protective antibodies. In current NHS practice, MMR is mainly used for eligible people needing protection outside the routine childhood MMRV programme.
Mebendazole is a benzimidazole anthelmintic used for certain intestinal worm infections. Selected UK products treat threadworm, while selected prescription products are also licensed for roundworm, whipworm and hookworm infections.
Mebeverine hydrochloride is an antispasmodic that acts directly on bowel muscle. It is used mainly to relieve abdominal cramps, pain and related symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Mecasermin is a recombinant form of human insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Under specialist supervision, it is used for growth failure in children and adolescents with confirmed severe primary IGF-1 deficiency who produce sufficient growth hormone.
An intravenous lipid emulsion used as part of parenteral nutrition. It supplies energy and essential omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids when nutrition by mouth or through the gut is impossible, inadequate or unsuitable.
This is an intravenous lipid emulsion used as part of parenteral nutrition when nutritional needs cannot be met adequately through the gut. It supplies calories and essential fatty acids directly into the bloodstream and is usually combined with other nutrients.
mRNA-1273.167 is an mRNA vaccine that instructs cells to briefly produce the SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 spike protein, prompting an immune response. It is authorised to prevent COVID-19, but its use depends on current official vaccination recommendations.