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Trabectedin is a cytotoxic anticancer treatment that interferes with tumour-cell DNA and transcription. In the UK it is licensed for certain adults with advanced soft tissue sarcoma and, with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.
Tralokinumab is a biological treatment that targets interleukin-13, an immune-system protein involved in atopic dermatitis. It is used for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over who are candidates for systemic treatment.
Trametinib is a targeted anticancer treatment supplied as trametinib dimethyl sulfoxide. It blocks MEK proteins in the BRAF–MEK–ERK growth pathway and is used for selected BRAF-mutated cancers, often with dabrafenib.
Trandolapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It is used to lower high blood pressure and to support the heart when its pumping function is reduced after a heart attack.
Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic that reduces bleeding by helping formed blood clots remain in place. It is used for heavy menstrual bleeding and, in hospital or specialist care, bleeding associated with excessive fibrinolysis.
Tranylcypromine sulfate is an irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant. In the selected UK product, it is licensed for major depressive episodes in adults when other types of antidepressant have failed.
Trastuzumab is a targeted monoclonal antibody for cancers that overexpress or amplify HER2. Selected UK products treat HER2-positive breast cancer; the intravenous formulation also treats certain metastatic stomach or gastro-oesophageal junction cancers.
Trastuzumab emtansine combines a HER2-targeting antibody with the cell-killing agent DM1. It treats selected HER2-positive early or advanced breast cancers, usually after previous HER2-targeted and taxane treatment.
Travoprost is a prostaglandin analogue eye drop that increases fluid drainage from the eye. It is used to lower raised pressure in ocular hypertension and glaucoma, helping to protect the optic nerve from further pressure-related damage.
Trazodone hydrochloride is a prescription antidepressant that affects serotonin signalling and can cause sleepiness. Selected products are licensed for depression, including depression accompanied by anxiety; some capsule products are also licensed for anxiety and mixed anxiety with depression.
Treosulfan is an alkylating chemotherapy used to prepare the bone marrow and immune system for a donor stem cell transplant. In the selected UK product, it is used with fludarabine for adults and children older than one month with malignant or non-malignant diseases.
Treprostinil sodium is a prostacyclin analogue that widens blood vessels and affects platelet function. In the selected UK product, it is used by continuous infusion for idiopathic or heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension with NYHA functional class III symptoms, aiming to improve symptoms and exercise tolerance.
Tretinoin is an oral retinoid related to vitamin A. In the selected UK product, it is used with arsenic trioxide or chemotherapy to treat acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), including newly diagnosed, relapsed or treatment-resistant disease.
Tucatinib is a targeted anti-cancer treatment that blocks HER2 signalling. In the UK, it is used with trastuzumab and capecitabine for certain adults with previously treated HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
Turoctocog alfa pegol is a long-acting recombinant factor VIII replacement for haemophilia A. It is used to prevent and treat bleeding in people of all ages and may support bleeding control around surgery.
Typhoid vaccine stimulates immunity against typhoid fever caused by Salmonella Typhi. The selected product is a non-live injectable Vi polysaccharide vaccine, usually used for people at risk through travel or other exposure. Vaccination does not protect everyone, so careful food, water and hand hygiene remain important.
Ulipristal acetate is an oral emergency contraceptive used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It delays or prevents ovulation but does not end an existing pregnancy or provide ongoing contraception.
Umeclidinium bromide is a long-acting antimuscarinic bronchodilator inhaled into the lungs. It is used as maintenance treatment to ease symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults; it does not treat sudden breathlessness.
An inhaled combination of two long-acting bronchodilators for maintenance relief of symptoms in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not a quick-relief inhaler.
A topical antifungal with additional antibacterial activity, licensed in selected cream and powder products to treat and help prevent athlete’s foot.
Upadacitinib hemihydrate is an oral immunosuppressant that selectively inhibits Janus kinase pathways involved in inflammation. It is used under specialist supervision for several inflammatory joint, skin, bowel and blood-vessel conditions when treatment is appropriate.
Urea hydrogen peroxide is used as ear drops to soften hardened earwax. It releases oxygen, helping wax break up and leave the ear canal more easily.
Urokinase is a thrombolytic, or clot-dissolving, treatment that activates the body's fibrin-breaking system. In the UK, it is used in hospital to clear blocked vascular lines and treat selected serious blood clots.
Ursodeoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring bile acid used for primary biliary cholangitis, selected cholesterol gallstones and certain liver complications of cystic fibrosis.
Ustekinumab is a prescription biological antibody that reduces selected immune-system signals involved in inflammation. It is used for certain forms of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Vadadustat is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor that stimulates red blood cell production. It is licensed for symptomatic anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease in adults receiving chronic maintenance dialysis. Treatment requires specialist monitoring.
Valaciclovir hydrochloride is an oral antiviral that is rapidly converted in the body to aciclovir. It is used to treat or suppress selected herpes simplex and varicella-zoster infections and, in specialist transplant care, to prevent cytomegalovirus infection and disease.
Valganciclovir is an antiviral that the body converts into ganciclovir. It is used mainly to treat cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in adults with AIDS and to prevent CMV disease in certain solid-organ transplant recipients.
Valproate semisodium is a mood stabiliser that provides valproate in the body. Selected products are licensed for manic episodes in bipolar disorder when no other effective or tolerated treatment is available.
Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant that reduces excessive electrical activity in the brain. The selected Convulex capsule is licensed for generalised, partial and other forms of epilepsy, with important restrictions for people aged under 55 and during pregnancy.
Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It lowers blood pressure and is also used in selected adults with heart failure or after a recent heart attack.
Vancomycin hydrochloride is a glycopeptide antibiotic used mainly for serious infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. Intravenous treatment is used for systemic infections, while oral treatment acts mainly within the bowel for Clostridioides difficile infection.
Vandetanib is a targeted anti-cancer treatment called a protein kinase inhibitor. It is used under specialist supervision for aggressive, symptomatic RET-mutant medullary thyroid cancer that cannot be removed surgically or has spread.
Vardenafil hydrochloride trihydrate is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. It helps adult men with erectile dysfunction achieve and maintain an erection when sexually stimulated; it does not cause sexual arousal.
Varenicline is a prescription treatment that helps adults stop smoking. It reduces nicotine craving and withdrawal and can make smoking feel less rewarding.
Varenicline tartrate is a prescription, nicotine-free treatment that helps adults stop smoking. It reduces nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms and makes smoking less rewarding; behavioural support can improve the chance of success.
Varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox and can reactivate as shingles. Varilrix uses weakened live virus to prevent chickenpox, while Shingrix uses a recombinant viral protein with an adjuvant to prevent shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia.
A live attenuated vaccine containing weakened varicella-zoster virus. It stimulates immunity against chickenpox and may be considered after exposure in susceptible people.
Vecuronium bromide is a non-depolarising neuromuscular blocker used with general anaesthesia. It temporarily paralyses skeletal muscles to help place a breathing tube and provide muscle relaxation during surgery; it does not cause unconsciousness or relieve pain.
Vedolizumab is a gut-selective biological treatment that reduces inflammatory immune-cell movement into the bowel. In adults, it is used for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease when certain other treatments have not worked, stopped working or were not tolerated. The intravenous formulation is also licensed for selected adults with chronic pouchitis.
Velaglucerase alfa is a recombinant enzyme replacement therapy for type 1 Gaucher disease. It replaces deficient beta-glucocerebrosidase, helping reduce the fatty material stored in certain cells.
Velmanase alfa is a recombinant form of human alpha-mannosidase. It is an enzyme replacement therapy for non-neurological manifestations of mild to moderate alpha-mannosidosis.
Vemurafenib is an oral targeted anticancer treatment that blocks abnormal BRAF signalling. It is licensed as monotherapy for adults with BRAF V600 mutation-positive melanoma that cannot be removed surgically or has spread.
Venetoclax is a targeted anticancer treatment that blocks BCL-2, a protein that helps some cancer cells survive. In adults, it is used in selected chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia treatment plans under specialist supervision.
Verapamil hydrochloride is a rate-limiting calcium channel blocker that relaxes blood vessels and slows electrical conduction through the heart. Selected products are licensed for high blood pressure, angina and certain rapid heart rhythms; one modified-release product also has a restricted role after myocardial infarction.
Vericiguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator used for certain adults with symptomatic chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. In the UK, it is licensed after a recent worsening event requiring intravenous treatment, once the person is stabilised, and is used alongside other heart-failure therapies.
Vernakalant hydrochloride is an intravenous antiarrhythmic used in adults to restore sinus rhythm from recently started atrial fibrillation. It is given by a healthcare professional in a monitored cardioversion setting.
Verteporfin is a photosensitiser used during photodynamic therapy for selected disorders involving abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina. It is infused into a vein and activated by precisely directed, non-thermal red light in the eye.
Vestronidase alfa is a recombinant enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII, or Sly syndrome). It replaces deficient beta-glucuronidase to help clear accumulated glycosaminoglycans and is licensed for non-neurological manifestations of the condition.
Vibegron is a beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonist that relaxes the bladder muscle while the bladder fills. It is licensed for symptomatic treatment of overactive bladder syndrome in adults, including urgency, increased urinary frequency and urge urinary incontinence.
Vigabatrin is an antiseizure treatment that increases the calming effect of GABA in the brain. It is mainly reserved for infantile spasms or resistant focal epilepsy when suitable alternatives have not worked or cannot be tolerated.
Vildagliptin 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 alongside other glucose-lowering treatments, including insulin.
Vinblastine sulfate is a cytotoxic vinca alkaloid that stops dividing cells from completing cell division. It is usually given by a specialist cancer team, alone or with other anticancer treatments, for certain lymphomas and selected solid tumours.
Vincristine sulfate is a vinca alkaloid chemotherapy that disrupts cell division. It is usually used in specialist combination treatment for blood cancers and selected solid tumours.
Vindesine sulfate is a cytotoxic vinca alkaloid that stops dividing cells from completing mitosis. In the UK, it is an intravenous specialist treatment for selected cancers, sometimes alongside other anticancer treatments.
Vinorelbine is a vinca-alkaloid chemotherapy that interferes with cancer-cell division. UK products are licensed mainly for non-small-cell lung cancer and advanced breast cancer, either alone or with other anticancer treatments depending on the formulation and clinical setting.
Vismodegib is an oral anticancer treatment that blocks Hedgehog signalling. In adults, it is used for symptomatic metastatic basal cell carcinoma or locally advanced disease that is unsuitable for surgery or radiotherapy.
A hospital-administered intravenous combination of vitamins B1, B2, B6, nicotinamide and vitamin C, used when severe depletion or poor absorption requires rapid replacement rather than as a routine multivitamin supplement.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant. This medicinal form contains RRR-alpha-tocopherol and is licensed to replace vitamin E in adults with ataxia with vitamin E deficiency (AVED), rather than for routine supplementation with a balanced diet.
Voclosporin is a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant used to reduce immune-driven kidney inflammation. In the UK, it is licensed with mycophenolate mofetil for adults with active class III, IV or V lupus nephritis.