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Almotriptan is a triptan used to relieve the headache phase of a migraine attack, with or without aura. It treats an attack after it starts and does not prevent future migraines.
Alogliptin benzoate provides alogliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor that helps lower blood glucose. It is licensed for adults with type 2 diabetes alongside other glucose-lowering treatments when diet, exercise and existing treatment have not provided adequate control.
This fixed-combination tablet contains alogliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, and metformin, a biguanide. It is licensed for adults with type 2 diabetes when metformin alone is insufficient, when both ingredients are already used, or in certain combinations with insulin or pioglitazone.
Alpelisib is an oral targeted anticancer treatment that blocks PI3K-alpha. In the UK, it is licensed with fulvestrant for certain PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancers that have progressed after endocrine-based therapy.
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine that enhances inhibitory GABA signalling in the brain. The selected UK product is licensed for short-term symptomatic treatment of severe, disabling or extremely distressing anxiety in adults.
Alprostadil is a form of prostaglandin E1 that relaxes smooth muscle and widens blood vessels. It is used for erectile dysfunction in adults and, as a specialist hospital infusion, to temporarily keep the ductus arteriosus open in babies with certain congenital heart defects.
Alteplase is a thrombolytic treatment that dissolves fibrin-rich blood clots. In hospital, it is used for selected patients with acute ischaemic stroke, heart attack or a large pulmonary embolism causing circulatory instability.
Aluminium chloride hexahydrate is a strong topical antiperspirant used to manage excessive sweating. The selected UK product is licensed for hyperhidrosis affecting the armpits, hands or feet.
This combination contains two antacids that neutralise stomach acid and simeticone, an anti-foaming agent that helps gas bubbles join together and pass more easily. Selected UK products are used for temporary relief of indigestion, heartburn, excess acidity and wind.
This combination is an antacid that neutralises acid already present in the stomach. It provides temporary relief of heartburn, acid indigestion, reflux-related dyspepsia and other licensed acid-related symptoms, but does not treat their underlying cause.
Alverine citrate is an antispasmodic that acts directly on smooth muscle. It is used to relieve cramping pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome, painful diverticular disease and primary period pain.
Alverine citrate + simeticone combines an antispasmodic with an antiflatulent. It is used in adults to relieve abdominal pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome, while reducing gut spasm and gas bubbles.
Amantadine hydrochloride is an antiparkinsonian treatment that alters signalling involved in movement control. Selected products are licensed for Parkinson’s disease; certain capsules and syrup are also licensed for influenza A and shingles-related pain. It is not recommended for seasonal influenza because resistance is widespread.
Ambrisentan is an endothelin receptor antagonist used for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It widens pulmonary arteries, reducing resistance to blood flow and the workload on the heart.
Amifampridine phosphate is a potassium-channel blocker that increases acetylcholine release from nerve endings. The selected product is licensed for symptomatic treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome in adults, improving nerve-to-muscle signalling rather than treating the underlying cause.
Amikacin sulfate is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that kills susceptible bacteria by disrupting protein production. Injectable forms are mainly used for serious infections; a liposomal inhaled form has a specialised role in certain Mycobacterium avium complex lung infections.
Amiloride hydrochloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic that helps the kidneys remove sodium and excess water while reducing potassium loss. It is commonly added to another diuretic for fluid retention, heart failure, high blood pressure or ascites caused by liver cirrhosis.
A fixed combination of two diuretics. Bumetanide removes excess salt and water, while amiloride reduces potassium loss. It is used for oedema when prompt fluid removal and potassium conservation are important.
Combines two diuretics: furosemide removes excess salt and water, while amiloride limits potassium loss. It is used when prompt fluid removal is needed and conserving potassium is important.
This combination contains two diuretics. Hydrochlorothiazide increases salt and water loss through the kidneys, while amiloride reduces potassium loss. It is used for high blood pressure and fluid retention where maintaining potassium balance is important.
This combines two diuretics: furosemide removes excess salt and water, while amiloride reduces potassium loss. It is used for fluid retention when prompt diuresis and potassium conservation are important.
This combines furosemide, a loop diuretic, with amiloride, a potassium-sparing diuretic. It removes excess fluid while reducing the potassium loss furosemide can cause.
This oral gel combines lidocaine, a local anaesthetic, with aminoacridine, a local antiseptic. It is used to relieve pain from common mouth ulcers and areas irritated by dentures.
Aminophylline is a soluble form of theophylline that relaxes airway smooth muscle and stimulates breathing. This intravenous product is used in hospital for acute bronchospasm or severe reversible airway obstruction, and for certain adjunctive cardiovascular uses.
Aminophylline hydrate is a xanthine bronchodilator that provides theophylline activity. The selected injection is used in hospital to relieve bronchospasm associated with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Amiodarone hydrochloride is an anti-arrhythmic that changes electrical signalling in the heart. It is usually reserved for serious fast or irregular rhythms when other treatments are unsuitable or have not worked, with specialist initiation and monitoring.
Amisulpride is an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. It can help with symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, as well as social withdrawal and reduced emotional expression.
Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant with pain-modifying and sedative effects. Selected products are licensed for depression, neuropathic pain, migraine and chronic tension-type headache prevention, and specialist treatment of persistent childhood bed-wetting.
Amivantamab is a bispecific monoclonal antibody that targets EGFR and MET proteins on cancer cells. It is used in adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer carrying specified EGFR mutations, either alone or with other anticancer treatments.
This combination contains a calcium-channel blocker, an angiotensin-II receptor blocker and a thiazide diuretic. It is licensed for adults with essential hypertension when two components do not provide adequate control, or to replace the same three components taken separately.
Combines a calcium-channel blocker with an angiotensin II receptor blocker. Licensed for adults with essential hypertension not adequately controlled by either component alone.
This prescription tablet combines amlodipine, a calcium-channel blocker, with perindopril, an ACE inhibitor. It is licensed as substitution therapy for essential hypertension and/or stable coronary artery disease when separate medicines already control the condition at corresponding strengths. It is not intended for starting or adjusting treatment.
Amlodipine + valsartan combines a calcium-channel blocker with an angiotensin II receptor blocker. It is licensed for adults with essential hypertension whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled by either ingredient alone.
An inhaled preparation of ammonia liquor and eucalyptus oil supplied as soaked white granules. It is traditionally used to relieve catarrh and head-cold symptoms, including thick phlegm affecting the head and throat.
A topical combination of salicylates, menthol and camphor for symptomatic relief of muscular and rheumatic aches and pains through local analgesic and counter-irritant effects.
Amorolfine hydrochloride is a topical antifungal supplied as a medicated nail lacquer. It is used for fungal nail infections caused by susceptible dermatophytes, yeasts and moulds.
Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal used mainly for severe, deep or widespread fungal infections. Selected products are given by intravenous infusion under close clinical supervision; liposomal amphotericin B is also licensed for visceral leishmaniasis and presumed fungal infection in some patients with neutropenic fever.
Ampicillin sodium is an injectable broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic for infections caused by susceptible bacteria, generally when oral treatment is inappropriate.
Amsacrine is a cytotoxic chemotherapy treatment for acute leukaemia in adults. It may be used to induce or maintain remission, including where anthracycline treatment has not worked or further exposure is unsuitable.
Anagrelide is a platelet-lowering treatment for essential thrombocythaemia, where the bone marrow makes too many platelets. It is licensed for at-risk patients when current treatment is not tolerated or has not lowered platelet counts adequately.
Anagrelide is an oral treatment that reduces platelet production in the bone marrow. The selected product is licensed for at-risk people with essential thrombocythaemia whose current treatment is not tolerated or has not reduced platelet counts adequately.
Anakinra is a biologic immunosuppressant that blocks interleukin-1, a protein involved in inflammation. It is specialist treatment for certain inflammatory and autoinflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, periodic fever syndromes and Still’s disease.
Anastrozole is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor that lowers oestrogen levels. It is mainly used after the menopause to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and, in selected people, to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
Andexanet alfa is a hospital-only antidote that counteracts certain factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulants. It is used for adults taking apixaban or rivaroxaban when life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding requires urgent reversal.
Angiotensin II is a vasopressor that mimics a naturally produced hormone. In hospital, it may raise blood pressure in adults with septic or other distributive shock when fluids and other vasopressors have not worked adequately.
Anidulafungin is an echinocandin antifungal used to treat invasive candidiasis, a serious Candida infection affecting the blood or internal organs. It is given by intravenous infusion under specialist supervision.
This combination eye drop contains an antihistamine and a vasoconstrictor. It temporarily relieves redness and itching caused by seasonal or year-round eye allergies, such as hay fever or house-dust allergy.
This is a recombinant porcine-sequence factor VIII that helps blood form a stable clot. It is used in hospital to treat bleeding episodes in adults with acquired haemophilia caused by antibodies against human factor VIII.
Apalutamide is an oral androgen-receptor inhibitor used as endocrine treatment for prostate cancer. In the UK, it is licensed for selected adult men with high-risk non-metastatic castration-resistant disease or metastatic hormone-sensitive disease.
Apixaban is a prescription anticoagulant that reduces harmful blood clots. It is used for atrial fibrillation, deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and clot prevention after some joint-replacement operations.
Apomorphine hydrochloride is a dopamine agonist used when Parkinson’s movement symptoms fluctuate despite oral treatment. Depending on the product, it is given under the skin by injection or continuous infusion, or as a film placed under the tongue.
Apomorphine is a dopamine agonist given under the skin for Parkinson’s disease when oral treatment does not adequately control “off” periods or other motor fluctuations. Selected products provide intermittent injections or continuous pump infusion.
Apraclonidine hydrochloride is an alpha-2 adrenergic eye drop that lowers pressure inside the eye. The selected UK product is licensed as an add-on for chronic glaucoma when existing treatment is insufficient and laser treatment or surgery needs to be delayed.
Apremilast is an oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor that modifies inflammatory signalling inside cells. It is usually prescribed by specialists for certain forms of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and Behçet’s-related mouth ulcers.
Aprepitant is an anti-sickness treatment called a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist. It is usually combined with other treatments to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy.
This is a fibrin sealant applied during surgery to help form a stable clot and bond or seal tissues. It supports standard surgical techniques when these alone do not provide adequate bleeding control, sealing or tissue adhesion.
This is a two-component fibrin sealant applied during surgery. When its components mix, they form a fibrin clot that helps adhere or seal tissue and can support control of bleeding on subcutaneous surfaces.
Arachis oil is peanut oil formulated as a rectal enema. It acts locally to soften hard, impacted faeces and help their passage.
Argatroban monohydrate is an intravenous anticoagulant that directly blocks thrombin, an important clotting enzyme. The selected product is licensed for adults with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II who need a non-heparin injectable anticoagulant.
Arginine hydrochloride and lysine hydrochloride are amino acids given by intravenous infusion. They are used with lutetium-177 oxodotreotide treatment to reduce radiation exposure to the kidneys.