Concise answers when you need the essentials, with deeper clinical context and transparent source links when the decision needs more scrutiny.
Search by active ingredient or familiar medicine name.
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.
Volanesorsen sodium is an antisense oligonucleotide that lowers triglycerides by reducing production of apolipoprotein C-III. It is used alongside diet for selected adults with genetically confirmed familial chylomicronaemia syndrome (FCS), inadequate response to other triglyceride-lowering measures and a high risk of pancreatitis.
Von Willebrand factor is a plasma-derived clotting-factor concentrate. It temporarily replaces deficient or poorly functioning factor in von Willebrand disease, helping platelets seal damaged blood vessels and protecting factor VIII from breakdown.
Vonicog alfa is a recombinant form of human von Willebrand factor, a protein needed for normal blood clotting. It replaces deficient or poorly functioning factor in von Willebrand disease when desmopressin alone is ineffective or unsuitable.
Voretigene neparvovec is a gene therapy for inherited retinal dystrophy caused by harmful changes in both copies of the RPE65 gene. It delivers a working RPE65 gene to retinal cells, aiming to improve functional vision where enough viable retina remains.
Voriconazole is a triazole antifungal used for serious, potentially life-threatening fungal infections. It treats selected invasive Aspergillus, Candida, Scedosporium and Fusarium infections and can prevent invasive fungal infection in certain high-risk stem-cell transplant recipients.
Vortioxetine hydrobromide provides vortioxetine, a prescription antidepressant. The selected product is licensed to treat major depressive episodes in adults.
Voxelotor was developed to reduce red-cell sickling and haemolytic anaemia in sickle cell disease. All UK supplies were withdrawn in September 2024 after evidence suggested an unfavourable balance of painful crises and deaths. It should not be started; anyone retaining tablets should contact their specialist team.
Vutrisiran sodium is a small interfering RNA treatment that reduces production of transthyretin protein in the liver. It is used in adults with specified forms of transthyretin amyloidosis affecting the nerves or heart.
Wasp venom is a prepared Vespula venom extract used under specialist supervision to reduce the risk of systemic allergic reactions from future wasp stings in people with confirmed IgE-mediated allergy.
Water for injection is purified water supplied as a sterile solvent for preparing injectable medicines. It dissolves or dilutes a suitable medicine before injection or infusion and must not be administered alone.
Zanamivir is an antiviral that limits the spread of influenza A and B viruses in the respiratory tract. The inhaled product treats influenza and, in specified circumstances, helps prevent it. It does not replace influenza vaccination.
Zanamivir hydrate blocks influenza virus neuraminidase. The intravenous product treats complicated, potentially life-threatening influenza A or B when other antivirals are unsuitable or resistance is suspected.
Zanubrutinib is a targeted anticancer treatment called a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. It treats several B-cell blood cancers, either alone or, for some follicular lymphoma, with obinutuzumab.
Ziconotide acetate is a non-opioid analgesic peptide delivered into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. It is used for severe, chronic pain in adults who require intrathecal analgesia and is managed by a specialist pain team.
Zidovudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used against HIV. It is normally combined with other antiretroviral medicines and can help reduce transmission from a pregnant person to their baby.
Zilucoplan sodium is a complement inhibitor used alongside standard therapy for adults with generalised myasthenia gravis who have anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies. It is supplied as a pre-filled syringe for injection under the skin.
Zinc acetate dihydrate is a prescription treatment for Wilson’s disease, an inherited condition in which copper accumulates in the body. It reduces copper uptake from the intestine and requires specialist supervision.
Zinc oxide is a topical skin protectant with mild antiseptic activity. The selected zinc and castor oil ointment soothes nappy rash and forms a water-resistant barrier over dry, chapped skin.
Zinc sulfate monohydrate supplies zinc, an essential trace element used by many enzyme systems. The selected UK product treats zinc deficiency in adults and children.
Zolbetuximab is a targeted monoclonal antibody that attaches to CLDN18.2 on certain cancer cells. In the UK, it is used with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for eligible adults with advanced HER2-negative gastric or gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
Zoledronic acid is an intravenous bisphosphonate that slows mineralised bone breakdown. This selected product is used in adults for bone complications from advanced cancer and high blood calcium caused by a tumour.
Zoledronic acid anhydrous is an intravenous bisphosphonate that reduces breakdown of mineralised bone. It is used in adults to prevent bone complications from advanced cancers involving bone and to treat high blood calcium caused by a tumour.
Zoledronic acid monohydrate is an intravenous bisphosphonate that slows excessive bone breakdown. It is used for certain adults with osteoporosis at increased fracture risk and for adults with Paget’s disease of bone.
Zolmitriptan is a triptan used to treat a migraine attack with or without aura. It acts after an attack has begun and does not prevent future attacks.
Zolpidem tartrate is a prescription hypnotic that calms brain activity and promotes sleep. Selected products are licensed for severe or distressing insomnia in adults.
Zonisamide is an anti-seizure treatment used for focal seizures, which may spread to involve both sides of the brain. It can be used alone in adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy or alongside other anti-seizure treatments in adults and eligible children.
Zopiclone is a prescription hypnotic, commonly called a Z-drug. It is licensed for severe insomnia in adults and can cause next-day impairment, tolerance, dependence and withdrawal.
Zuclopenthixol acetate is a first-generation antipsychotic given as an oily injection into a muscle. In the UK, it is licensed for the initial treatment of acute psychosis, including mania and worsening chronic psychosis.
Zuclopenthixol decanoate is a long-acting, first-generation antipsychotic injection used as maintenance treatment for schizophrenia and paranoid psychoses.
Zuclopenthixol dihydrochloride is a first-generation antipsychotic supplied as oral tablets. The selected tablets are licensed to treat psychoses, particularly schizophrenia.