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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.
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.
Two antacids neutralise excess stomach acid, while simeticone helps trapped gas bubbles combine and disperse. This combination provides short-term relief of heartburn, indigestion, bloating, flatulence and painful trapped wind.
An electrolyte and bicarbonate solution used with continuous renal replacement therapy in intensive care. It replaces fluid and electrolytes removed during treatment or acts as dialysis fluid, particularly when phosphate is normal or low and potassium has returned to normal.
A glucose-based electrolyte solution for peritoneal dialysis. It is placed into the abdominal cavity through a dialysis catheter to help remove waste substances and excess water from the blood and support fluid, electrolyte and acid–base balance.
A sterile, icodextrin-based fluid used for peritoneal dialysis in chronic kidney failure. It draws excess water across the abdominal lining while dialysis removes fluid and waste products.
A sterile electrolyte and bicarbonate solution used with continuous renal replacement therapy equipment in critical care. It acts as dialysis fluid or replaces water and electrolytes removed during treatment for acute kidney failure.
Calcium chloride dihydrate is an injectable calcium salt used in hospital to restore calcium when blood levels or electrolyte balance are abnormal. Trained healthcare professionals give it into a vein with careful monitoring.
A specialist fluid used with continuous haemofiltration, haemodialysis or haemodiafiltration equipment. It replaces water and electrolytes removed from the blood or acts as dialysis fluid, mainly during treatment for kidney failure.
A sterile fluid used during continuous haemofiltration for acute kidney failure. It replaces water, electrolytes and bicarbonate removed during filtration.
A bicarbonate-buffered replacement solution used during continuous haemofiltration. It replaces water, electrolytes and buffer removed from the blood when acute kidney failure requires renal replacement therapy.
A sterile, glucose-containing electrolyte and bicarbonate/lactate solution used for peritoneal dialysis. It removes waste and excess water through the abdominal lining and helps regulate fluid, electrolyte and acid–base balance.
A specialist electrolyte and amino-acid solution used during surgery to temporarily stop and protect the heart and to protect or preserve donor organs.
An intravenous colloid solution containing succinylated gelatin in balanced electrolyte fluid. It is used in hospital to replace circulating volume when hypovolaemia cannot be adequately treated with crystalloid fluids alone.
An isotonic intravenous solution containing sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride in water. It replaces extracellular fluid and restores electrolyte balance in isotonic dehydration.
A balanced intravenous solution containing sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and lactate. It replaces extracellular fluid and electrolytes, supports circulating volume and helps correct mild to moderate metabolic acidosis, except lactic acidosis.
Calcium folinate is an active, reduced form of folate. It limits harmful effects from folate antagonists such as methotrexate and can treat megaloblastic anaemia caused by folate deficiency.
Calcium folinate hydrate provides folinic acid, an active reduced form of folate. It limits toxicity from folate antagonists such as methotrexate, enhances fluorouracil's anticancer effect and treats certain folate-deficiency megaloblastic anaemias.
Calcium gluconate is an injectable calcium salt used mainly in hospital emergencies. It treats symptomatic low blood calcium and protects the heart during severe hyperkalaemia, but does not lower potassium.
Calcium polystyrene sulfonate is a non-absorbed ion-exchange resin used to treat hyperkalaemia (too much potassium in the blood). It binds potassium in the gut so more leaves the body in stools.