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Bismuth subnitrate and iodoform is supplied as antiseptic paste-impregnated gauze for packing ear, nose or throat surgical cavities. Healthcare professionals may also use it to control acute nosebleeds.
Bivalirudin is an intravenous anticoagulant that directly blocks thrombin, an enzyme central to blood-clot formation. It is used in hospital for adults undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and for certain acute coronary syndromes when early intervention is planned.
Bleomycin sulfate is chemotherapy for selected cancers and malignant fluid around the lung. A specialist hospital team administers it, often with other anticancer treatments.
Blinatumomab is an immunotherapy for selected forms of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). It brings T cells into contact with CD19-positive B cells so the immune system can destroy the leukaemia cells.
Bortezomib is an anticancer proteasome inhibitor used alone or with other treatments for adults with multiple myeloma and, in a specific combination, previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma.
Bosentan monohydrate widens blood vessels by blocking endothelin receptors. It is mainly used for pulmonary arterial hypertension and to reduce new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis.
Bosutinib is a targeted anticancer treatment called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It treats Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (Ph+ CML), including newly diagnosed chronic-phase disease and selected previously treated disease.
Botulinum toxin type A is a prescription-only injection that temporarily reduces signalling from nerves to selected muscles or glands. Depending on the product, it treats certain movement disorders, focal spasticity, excessive saliva production or specific facial lines.
Brentuximab vedotin is an antibody–drug conjugate that targets CD30 on certain lymphoma cells and delivers a cell-killing agent. It is used alone or with other anticancer treatments for selected Hodgkin and T-cell lymphomas.
Bretovameran is a non-live mRNA vaccine that prompts an immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 JN.1 spike protein. The selected paediatric presentation was licensed to help prevent COVID-19 in children aged 6 months to 4 years, following official recommendations. It cannot cause COVID-19.
A personalised gene therapy made by modifying a patient’s own T cells to recognise CD19 on B cells. It is used in specialist centres for certain relapsed or treatment-resistant blood cancers.
Brigatinib is a targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor licensed alone for adults with advanced ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer, including those who have not received an ALK inhibitor and those previously treated with crizotinib.
Brimonidine tartrate is a selective alpha-2 receptor agonist. Eye drops lower raised pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension; facial gel temporarily reduces persistent rosacea redness in adults.
This eye-drop suspension combines two pressure-lowering treatments. It is licensed for adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when one treatment alone has not reduced eye pressure sufficiently.
This eye-drop solution combines an alpha-2 receptor agonist with a beta blocker. It lowers eye pressure in chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when a topical beta blocker alone has not worked sufficiently.
This prescription eye-drop combination contains an alpha-2 agonist and a beta blocker. It lowers pressure inside the eye in chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when topical beta-blocker treatment alone has not worked well enough.
Brinzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor supplied as eye drops. It lowers pressure inside the eye in adults with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.
This prescription eye-drop combination contains a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and a beta blocker. It lowers eye pressure in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when one medicine alone has not worked sufficiently.
Brivaracetam is an anti-seizure treatment that acts on the brain protein SV2A. Selected UK products are licensed as add-on treatment for focal-onset seizures, with or without spread to both sides of the brain, in adults and children aged 2 years and over.
Brodalumab is a biologic monoclonal antibody that reduces inflammation by blocking IL-17 receptor signalling. It is licensed for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic treatment.
Brolucizumab is an anti-VEGF antibody fragment injected into the eye by an ophthalmologist. It is used in adults to reduce abnormal blood-vessel leakage and macular swelling that can impair central vision.
Bromfenac sodium sesquihydrate is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drop licensed for treating inflammation in adults after cataract surgery.
Bromocriptine mesilate is an ergot-derived dopamine agonist that lowers prolactin and, in some conditions, growth hormone. It is mainly used for prolactin-related disorders and prolactinomas, with additional licensed roles in acromegaly, Parkinson’s disease and medically necessary suppression of milk production after childbirth.
This combination contains paracetamol and the opioid codeine for pain, plus the sedating antihistamine buclizine for nausea and vomiting. It is used for acute moderate migraine when simpler painkillers have not provided adequate relief.
Budesonide is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation. Different formulations act mainly in the lungs, nose, oesophagus, bowel or rectum.
Budesonide + formoterol combines an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator. It is used for asthma when both components are appropriate; some prescribed plans use the same inhaler as a reliever.
This inhaler combines an inhaled corticosteroid with two long-acting bronchodilators. It is maintenance treatment for eligible adults with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is not adequately controlled by specified dual therapy. It is not a reliever for sudden symptoms.
Bulevirtide acetate is an antiviral that blocks hepatitis delta virus (HDV) from entering liver cells. It is used for chronic, detectable HDV infection in eligible adults and children whose liver disease remains compensated.
Bumetanide is a prescription loop diuretic that helps the kidneys remove excess salt and water. It is mainly used to relieve oedema caused by heart, kidney or liver disease.
Bupivacaine is an amide-type local anaesthetic that blocks pain signals along nerves. This page focuses on the prolonged-release liposomal product injected during surgery to control postoperative pain.
Bupivacaine + fentanyl citrate combines a long-acting local anaesthetic with an opioid pain reliever. It is given continuously into the epidural space to maintain pain relief after surgery or during labour.
Bupivacaine hydrochloride is a long-acting amide local anaesthetic. A trained clinician injects or infuses it near tissues, nerves or the spinal cord to numb part of the body or relieve pain during labour, surgery and recovery.
Bupivacaine hydrochloride anhydrous is an amide local anaesthetic that temporarily blocks pain signals through nerves. The selected glucose-containing product is used for spinal anaesthesia during certain lower-body and lower-abdominal operations, including caesarean section.
Bupropion hydrochloride is a prescription-only, nicotine-free treatment that changes noradrenaline and dopamine signalling. The selected UK product supports stopping smoking in nicotine-dependent adults alongside motivational support.
This prescription-only combination affects noradrenaline, dopamine and opioid signalling. It is licensed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in eligible adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition.
An oral liquid containing water-based extracts of burdock root and hyssop herb. It is traditionally used by adults to relieve nasal and throat catarrh; this is based on longstanding use rather than evidence of clinical effectiveness.
Burosumab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH), an inherited condition in which excess FGF23 causes phosphate loss through the kidneys. It increases phosphate availability to support bone mineralisation.
Buserelin acetate is a synthetic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist that lowers sex-hormone production after an initial stimulatory effect. Selected UK injections are licensed for advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer or pituitary suppression before gonadotrophin-based fertility treatment.
Buspirone hydrochloride is a prescription-only anxiolytic that acts mainly through serotonin signalling. The selected UK product is licensed for short-term management of anxiety disorders and relief of anxiety symptoms, including with accompanying depressive symptoms.
Busulfan is an alkylating chemotherapy that damages DNA and strongly suppresses blood-cell production. It is mainly used as conditioning before a blood stem-cell transplant; tablets are also licensed for selected blood cancers and myeloproliferative disorders.
Cabazitaxel is a taxane chemotherapy that disrupts structures cancer cells need to divide. It is licensed with prednisone or prednisolone for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel.
Cabergoline is an ergot-derived dopamine agonist that lowers prolactin. It is used for hyperprolactinaemia, including prolactinomas, and to prevent or suppress breast-milk production in specific circumstances.
Cabotegravir is an antiretroviral integrase inhibitor used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1. It does not treat established HIV by itself.
Cabozantinib is a targeted anticancer treatment called a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Product-specific tablets or capsules are licensed for selected kidney, liver, thyroid and neuroendocrine cancers.
A fixed-combination oral painkiller containing paracetamol, codeine, doxylamine and caffeine. It is licensed for acute moderate pain not relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone.
This combination contains paracetamol and codeine for pain relief, with caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant. Selected products are intended for acute moderate pain when suitable single-ingredient painkillers have not provided adequate relief.
Caffeine + paracetamol combines a painkiller and fever reducer with caffeine, which supports paracetamol’s pain-relieving effect.
This combination contains a painkiller and fever reducer, a stimulant and a decongestant. It relieves cold and flu symptoms but does not treat the underlying infection.
Caffeine citrate is a methylxanthine respiratory stimulant used in neonatal intensive care to treat pauses in breathing caused by immature respiratory control in premature newborns.
A topical skin preparation with mild astringent, soothing and protective effects. Selected UK creams and lotions are licensed to relieve mild sunburn and other minor skin conditions.
Calcifediol is 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, the form produced when vitamin D3 is processed by the liver. The licensed UK product is used in adults to treat or prevent vitamin D deficiency and alongside specific osteoporosis treatment when deficiency or insufficiency is present.
Calcipotriol is a prescription topical vitamin D analogue that helps control excessive skin-cell production. Selected UK ointment and scalp-solution products are licensed for plaque psoriasis, including scalp psoriasis.
Calcitonin (salmon) is a synthetic peptide hormone that reduces bone breakdown and can lower blood calcium. Its injectable form has restricted roles in acute immobilisation-related bone loss, selected cases of Paget’s disease and hypercalcaemia caused by cancer.
Calcitriol is the active form of vitamin D and helps regulate calcium and phosphate. Capsules treat certain bone and mineral disorders; the ointment treats plaque psoriasis.
Calcium acetate is a calcium-based phosphate binder used in adults receiving dialysis for chronic kidney failure. It reduces raised blood phosphate by limiting phosphate absorption from food.
Calcium carbonate is an antacid that neutralises stomach acid. Selected UK products provide short-term relief from heartburn, indigestion and related acid symptoms but do not treat the underlying cause.
An oral mineral supplement that provides calcium in a soluble effervescent preparation. It is used to prevent or treat calcium deficiency and support treatment for certain bone disorders.
This oral combination supplies calcium and vitamin D3. It is mainly used to prevent or correct combined deficiency and alongside specific osteoporosis treatment when intake is inadequate.
An antacid combination that neutralises stomach acid to relieve acid indigestion, heartburn, dyspepsia and flatulence.
Calcium carbonate with heavy magnesium carbonate is an antacid that neutralises stomach acid for short-term relief of heartburn and indigestion. It does not treat the underlying cause.