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A prescription intravenous combination of vitamins B1, B2, B6, nicotinamide and vitamin C, with glucose. It is used when severe depletion or malabsorption requires rapid replacement, particularly where thiamine deficiency could cause Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
An osmotic laxative used to empty the bowel before a procedure requiring a clean colon. It causes substantial watery diarrhoea and contains electrolytes intended to limit major salt and water shifts.
This combination contains a pain and fever reducer, nasal decongestant and vitamin C. It provides short-term symptom relief but does not treat the underlying infection.
Asenapine maleate is an atypical antipsychotic tablet that dissolves under the tongue. The selected UK licence covers moderate to severe manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder in adults.
Asfotase alfa is a recombinant form of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase. Under specialist care, it treats bone manifestations of hypophosphatasia that began in childhood, including in adults.
Asparaginase is an anticancer enzyme used with other treatments for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). It lowers circulating asparagine, which leukaemia cells rely on to make proteins and survive.
Ataluren is a specialist prescription treatment for ambulatory people aged 2 years and older with Duchenne muscular dystrophy caused by a confirmed nonsense mutation in the dystrophin gene.
Atazanavir sulfate is an antiretroviral protease inhibitor used with other treatments to control HIV-1 infection. The selected capsule’s licence specifies ritonavir boosting.
A prescription combination of a beta blocker and a thiazide-like diuretic, licensed to manage high blood pressure.
Atezolizumab is a monoclonal-antibody immunotherapy that blocks PD-L1, helping immune cells recognise and attack cancer. It is licensed for selected bladder, lung, breast and liver cancers in adults, alone or with other anticancer treatments.
Atidarsagene autotemcel is a gene therapy made from a child’s own blood-forming stem cells, modified to produce functional arylsulfatase A (ARSA). It is used for selected children with genetically confirmed metachromatic leukodystrophy before rapid disease progression.
Atogepant is an oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist. In adults, it is licensed to treat migraine attacks with or without aura and to prevent migraine when there are at least four migraine days per month.
Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It increases noradrenaline signalling and is used alongside psychological, educational and social support where appropriate.
This fixed-combination tablet contains atorvastatin, a statin, and ezetimibe, a cholesterol-absorption inhibitor. It lowers cholesterol through complementary mechanisms and is used in adults already controlled on the separate ingredients.
Atosiban acetate is an oxytocin-receptor antagonist used to suppress uterine contractions. Selected UK products are licensed to delay imminent preterm birth in adult pregnant women who meet specified clinical criteria between 24 and 33 completed weeks. It is given intravenously in an obstetric unit.
Atovaquone + proguanil hydrochloride is a combination antimalarial used to prevent and treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The appropriate formulation depends partly on body weight.
Atracurium besilate temporarily relaxes skeletal muscles. It is used with general anaesthesia for surgery, breathing-tube placement and mechanical ventilation, including in intensive care.
Atropine sulfate is an antimuscarinic. Injections are used mainly in emergencies and around surgery, while a selected eye-drop product is licensed to slow progressing short-sightedness in children.
Atropine sulfate monohydrate is an antimuscarinic that blocks acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. This injectable presentation is used in adults for selected heart-rate emergencies, poisoning and procedures around anaesthesia.
Avacopan is a complement inhibitor licensed for adults with severe, active granulomatosis with polyangiitis or microscopic polyangiitis. It is used with a rituximab- or cyclophosphamide-based regimen under specialist supervision. The MHRA is reviewing its benefits and risks.
Avalglucosidase alfa is a recombinant form of the enzyme deficient in Pompe disease. It reduces glycogen build-up in muscle cells and is given by intravenous infusion under specialist supervision.
Avanafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used for erectile dysfunction in adult men. It increases penile blood flow during sexual stimulation but does not create arousal or cure the underlying cause.
Avapritinib is an oral targeted anticancer treatment called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The selected UK product is licensed for adults with inoperable or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) carrying the PDGFRA D842V mutation.
Avatrombopag maleate is an oral thrombopoietin receptor agonist that helps bone marrow produce more platelets. In adults, it is used for severe thrombocytopenia associated with chronic liver disease before an invasive procedure, or primary chronic immune thrombocytopenia that has not responded to other treatments.
Avelumab is a monoclonal antibody immunotherapy that blocks PD-L1, helping immune cells recognise and attack some cancers. It is used in adults for certain advanced skin, urinary-tract and kidney cancers, either alone or with axitinib.
An intravenous antibiotic combination for adults, mainly used in hospital for serious infections, including when treatment options are limited. Aztreonam kills susceptible Gram-negative bacteria and avibactam blocks enzymes that could destroy it.
An intravenous antibiotic combining ceftazidime with avibactam, which protects ceftazidime from certain bacterial resistance enzymes. It is mainly used in hospital for serious complicated infections and selected aerobic Gram-negative infections when treatment options are limited.
Axicabtagene ciloleucel is a personalised cancer immunotherapy made by genetically modifying a patient’s own T cells. It is used in specialist centres for certain adult B-cell lymphomas that have not responded to treatment or have returned.
Axitinib is a targeted anti-cancer treatment called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The selected UK product is licensed for adults with advanced renal cell carcinoma whose disease has progressed after previous sunitinib or cytokine treatment.
Azacitidine changes gene activity and disrupts the growth of abnormal blood-forming cells. Injectable azacitidine treats certain myelodysplastic syndromes and leukaemias; oral azacitidine is maintenance treatment for some adults whose acute myeloid leukaemia is in remission.
Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant that reduces immune-system activity. It helps prevent organ rejection and control selected inflammatory, autoimmune and blood disorders, usually under specialist supervision.
Azelaic acid is a topical anti-acne treatment with anti-inflammatory effects. Selected UK products treat acne; the gel is also licensed for papulopustular rosacea.
Azelastine hydrochloride is an antihistamine eye drop for seasonal and year-round allergic eye inflammation. It does not treat eye infections.
This nasal spray combines the antihistamine azelastine with the corticosteroid fluticasone. It treats moderate to severe seasonal or year-round allergic rhinitis when either nasal treatment alone is not considered sufficient.
Azilsartan medoxomil potassium is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) licensed to treat essential hypertension in adults. It relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.
Azithromycin dihydrate provides azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic for selected infections caused by susceptible bacteria. It is available in oral, intravenous and eye-drop formulations and does not treat viral infections.
Aztreonam lysine is an inhaled monobactam antibiotic used in cystic fibrosis. It suppresses chronic lung infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa rather than treating cystic fibrosis itself.
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a live, weakened form of Mycobacterium bovis placed directly into the bladder to treat certain non-muscle-invasive bladder cancers or reduce their risk of returning after surgery. These products are not TB vaccines.
Baclofen is a centrally acting muscle relaxant used to reduce spasticity caused by conditions affecting the brain or spinal cord. It can ease spasms, stiffness and discomfort but does not treat the underlying condition.
Baloxavir marboxil is an oral antiviral that blocks influenza virus replication. It is licensed to treat uncomplicated influenza and prevent influenza after close exposure in people aged 3 weeks and over, subject to official recommendations.
Balsalazide disodium is an oral aminosalicylate that reduces inflammation in the large bowel. The selected UK product is licensed for mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis and maintaining remission.
A rectal treatment containing hydrocortisone and protective ingredients. It temporarily relieves haemorrhoids and anal itching but does not remove the underlying cause.
This topical and rectal combination protects and soothes irritated tissue. UK products are licensed for symptomatic relief of haemorrhoids and related anorectal conditions.
A topical cream for relieving discomfort from minor conditions around or inside the anus, mainly uncomplicated haemorrhoids and related irritation.
Bambuterol hydrochloride is an oral bronchodilator prodrug converted into terbutaline in the body. It is licensed for regular management of asthma, bronchospasm and reversible airways obstruction alongside appropriate anti-inflammatory asthma treatment. It does not relieve an asthma attack that has already started.
Baricitinib is an oral selective immunosuppressant that blocks Janus kinase signalling. It is used under specialist care for inflammatory joint, skin and hair-loss conditions.
Barium sulfate is an X-ray contrast agent used for diagnostic examinations, not treatment. When swallowed, it coats the digestive tract so the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum can be seen more clearly.
Basiliximab is a targeted monoclonal antibody used in hospital with other immunosuppressants to help prevent acute rejection after a first donor kidney transplant.
Bedaquiline is a diarylquinoline antibiotic used against tuberculosis bacteria. In the UK, it is licensed as part of an appropriate combination regimen for pulmonary tuberculosis resistant to at least rifampicin and isoniazid.
Bee venom is an allergen extract used for specialist immunotherapy in people with confirmed honey-bee venom allergy. Supervised injections aim to make the immune system less reactive and reduce the risk of a serious reaction to a future sting, although protection is not guaranteed.
Belantamab mafodotin is an antibody–cytotoxic conjugate targeting multiple myeloma cells carrying BCMA. In the UK, it is licensed for adults with previously treated multiple myeloma alongside specified anticancer medicines.
Belatacept is a biological immunosuppressant used with other anti-rejection treatments in adults who have received a kidney transplant. It reduces T-cell activation, helping prevent the immune system from attacking the transplanted kidney.
Belimumab is a biologic monoclonal antibody used alongside other treatments for lupus. It is licensed for selected people with active systemic lupus erythematosus and for adults with active lupus nephritis.
Belumosudil mesilate is a selective immunosuppressant that blocks ROCK2, a protein involved in immune signalling and fibrosis. Specialists use it for chronic graft-versus-host disease when previous systemic treatments have not provided adequate control.
Belzutifan blocks HIF-2 alpha, a protein involved in oxygen sensing and tumour growth. It is licensed for certain von Hippel-Lindau-associated tumours, previously treated advanced renal cell carcinoma, and advanced pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma.
Bempedoic acid is a non-statin treatment that lowers LDL cholesterol. It is used in adults when statins are insufficient, not tolerated or contraindicated, and in some adults with established or high cardiovascular risk.
A fixed-combination prescription tablet that lowers LDL cholesterol through complementary actions in the liver and intestine. It is used alongside diet when previous treatment has not provided adequate control, when statins cannot be used, or in certain adults with cardiovascular risk.
Bendamustine is cytotoxic chemotherapy that damages cancer-cell DNA. Selected UK products are licensed for specified patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
Benperidol is a potent first-generation antipsychotic of the butyrophenone group. The selected UK product is licensed specifically to control deviant anti-social sexual behaviour.
Benralizumab is a targeted biologic antibody that reduces eosinophils, white blood cells involved in some inflammatory diseases. It is used as an add-on treatment for selected people with severe eosinophilic asthma, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis or hypereosinophilic syndrome. It is not an emergency treatment for acute symptoms.