Medicines

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is an oral CDK4/6 inhibitor from Eli Lilly. It blocks cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6, keeps the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein unphosphorylated, and arrests cancer cells in the G1 phase before they can replicate their DNA. It is used, mostly alongside endocrine therapy, in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

Ibrance (palbociclib) is an oral CDK4/6 inhibitor from Pfizer for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Combined with endocrine therapy, it blocks the cell-cycle machinery cancer cells use to multiply, slowing or stopping tumour growth.

Kisqali (ribociclib) is an oral CDK4/6 inhibitor from Novartis for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. With endocrine therapy it is used for high-risk early breast cancer after surgery and for advanced or metastatic disease, blocking the cell-cycle machinery cancer cells use to multiply.

Calquence (acalabrutinib) is a selective Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor from AstraZeneca. By locking BTK, it cuts the survival and multiplication signal that malignant B cells rely on, and is used in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and mantle cell lymphoma, alone or with antibody-based combinations.

Imbruvica (ibrutinib) is the first-in-class Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Taken by mouth, it blocks the survival signalling of malignant B cells and transformed the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia and mantle cell lymphoma.

Eylea (aflibercept) is a VEGF inhibitor from Bayer that acts as a decoy receptor, trapping vascular endothelial growth factor before it can stimulate abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. It is injected into the eye to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema, macular oedema after retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity.

Avastin (bevacizumab) is a humanised antibody from Roche that binds vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). By starving tumours of new blood vessels it slows their growth, and is used with chemotherapy in several advanced cancers, including colorectal and lung cancer.

Alectinib (Alecensa) is an oral kinase inhibitor used as adjuvant treatment following tumor resection and for the treatment of adults with ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It blocks the abnormal ALK protein that drives cancer cell growth in ALK-positive tumors, helping to slow or stop the spread of cancer. It is taken by mouth as monotherapy.

Erleada (apalutamide) is an oral androgen receptor inhibitor from Janssen for prostate cancer. It blocks the receptor that prostate tumour cells need to grow, and is used in non-metastatic castration-resistant disease and, with androgen deprivation therapy, in metastatic hormone-sensitive disease.

Nubeqa (darolutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor from Bayer for prostate cancer. It blocks the receptor that drives tumour growth and is used in non-metastatic castration-resistant disease and, with androgen deprivation therapy, in metastatic hormone-sensitive disease.

Xtandi (enzalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor from Astellas for prostate cancer. It blocks androgen binding, receptor activation and nuclear signalling in one drug, and is used across castration-resistant and hormone-sensitive disease settings.

Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is a PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor from Genentech. By releasing the brake that tumours put on immune T cells, it lets the immune system attack cancer, and is used in selected lung cancers, urothelial carcinoma and other settings defined by PD-L1 testing.

Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor from AstraZeneca. By lifting the PD-L1 brake on T cells it restores immune attack on cancer, and is used around surgery in resectable lung cancer and after chemoradiation or chemotherapy in other lung cancer settings.

Cejemly (sugemalimab) is a PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor from CStone Pharmaceuticals approved in the European Union for non-small cell lung cancer. With platinum-based chemotherapy it is a first-line treatment of metastatic disease, and as monotherapy it treats unresectable stage III disease after chemoradiotherapy.

Cabozantinib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor that blocks MET, VEGF receptors and RET, pathways tumours use to grow and build blood supply. As Cabometyx it is used in advanced kidney and liver cancer and thyroid cancer; as Cometriq, in medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Lenvima (lenvatinib) is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor from Eisai that blocks VEGF and FGF receptors driving tumour blood supply. It is used in radioactive iodine-refractory thyroid cancer, advanced kidney cancer and, with pembrolizumab, in endometrial cancer.

Libtayo (cemiplimab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from Regeneron. By releasing exhausted T cells from the PD-1 brake, it restores immune attack on cancer cells and is used in advanced skin cancers and, with chemotherapy, in non-small cell lung cancer.

Jemperli (dostarlimab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from GlaxoSmithKline. It reawakens T cells against mismatch repair-deficient cancers and is used in advanced endometrial cancer, alone or with chemotherapy, and in selected previously treated solid tumours.

Opdivo (nivolumab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from Bristol-Myers Squibb used across many cancers, including melanoma, lung, kidney, bladder, liver, esophageal and gastric cancers, and Hodgkin lymphoma. By releasing the PD-1 brake on T cells, it restores immune attack on tumours, alone or with combinations.

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from Merck used across many cancers, including melanoma, lung, kidney, gastric, and triple-negative breast cancers, Hodgkin lymphoma, and MSI-H or dMMR tumours. By releasing the PD-1 brake on T cells, it restores immune attack on cancer, alone or with combinations.

Penpulimab-kcqx is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from Akeso Biopharma for non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It is used with platinum chemotherapy plus gemcitabine as first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic disease, and alone after platinum-based chemotherapy and at least one later line of therapy.

Zynyz (retifanlimab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from Incyte for two rare cancers. With carboplatin and paclitaxel it is a first-line treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, and as monotherapy it treats metastatic or locally advanced Merkel cell carcinoma.

Hetronifly (serplulimab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from Accord Healthcare used in the European Union with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer without EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 mutations, and PD-L1-positive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Tevimbra (tislelizumab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from BeOne Medicines for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. By releasing the PD-1 brake on T cells, it restores immune attack on tumours, alone or with chemotherapy.

Loqtorzi (toripalimab) is a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor from Coherus Oncology for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. With cisplatin and gemcitabine it is a first-line treatment of metastatic or recurrent locally advanced disease, and as monotherapy it treats disease that has progressed after platinum chemotherapy.

Erbitux (cetuximab) is a chimeric antibody that blocks the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a growth switch many cancers lean on. With chemotherapy or radiation, it is used in RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) is a BRAF kinase inhibitor used to treat certain melanomas, lung cancers, thyroid cancers, and other solid tumors with BRAF V600 mutations. It blocks the abnormal BRAF protein that signals cancer cells to grow and divide. It is used alone or in combination with trametinib.

Darzalex (daratumumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Janssen that targets CD38, a protein abundant on myeloma cells. It flags those cells for immune destruction and is used with standard combinations across multiple myeloma, from newly diagnosed to relapsed disease.

Orserdu (elacestrant) is an oral selective estrogen receptor degrader from Stemline. It binds the estrogen receptor and marks it for destruction, and is used in ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with an ESR1 mutation after prior endocrine therapy.

Fruzaqla (fruquintinib) is an oral kinase inhibitor from Takeda that selectively blocks VEGF receptors 1, 2 and 3. By cutting off tumour blood vessel formation it is used in metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed through standard therapies.

Glivec (imatinib) is the pioneering tyrosine kinase inhibitor from Novartis. By blocking the abnormal BCR-ABL protein it turned chronic myeloid leukaemia from a fatal disease into a manageable one, and it also treats GIST and other kinase-driven cancers.

Yervoy (ipilimumab) is a CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitor from Bristol-Myers Squibb. By releasing a key brake on T-cell activation it helped establish cancer immunotherapy, and is used in advanced melanoma, alone or with nivolumab.

Isatuximab (Sarclisa) is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD38, a protein found on the surface of multiple myeloma cells. It helps the immune system recognize and destroy those cancer cells. It is used in combination with other medicines to treat multiple myeloma.

Tibsovo (ivosidenib) is an oral targeted therapy from Servier for acute myeloid leukaemia carrying an IDH1 mutation. It blocks the mutant enzyme's abnormal product, letting blocked blood cells mature again, alone or with azacitidine.

Revlimid (lenalidomide) is an oral immunomodulatory drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb. It redirects the cell's protein-degradation machinery against specific cancer-supporting proteins and is a backbone of multiple myeloma therapy, alone or in combination.

Zejula (niraparib) is an oral PARP inhibitor from GlaxoSmithKline used as maintenance treatment for advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer that has responded to platinum-based chemotherapy. It blocks DNA repair enzymes cancer cells depend on, so DNA damage accumulates and the cells die.

Lynparza (olaparib) is an oral PARP inhibitor from AstraZeneca for selected BRCA-mutated or homologous recombination-deficient cancers of the ovary, breast, pancreas, and prostate. It blocks DNA repair enzymes that cancer cells depend on, so damaged cancer cells die while treatment helps keep responding cancers from returning.

Tagrisso (osimertinib) is an oral, mutant-selective EGFR inhibitor from AstraZeneca for non-small cell lung cancer carrying activating EGFR mutations. It is used after surgery, after chemoradiation, as first-line therapy for advanced disease, and against the T790M resistance mutation.

Perjeta (pertuzumab) is a HER2/neu receptor antagonist from Genentech that blocks HER2 from pairing with other HER family receptors, shutting down a key growth signal in HER2-positive breast cancer. It is used with trastuzumab and chemotherapy in metastatic, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant settings.

Herceptin (trastuzumab) is a humanized monoclonal antibody from Roche that targets the HER2 receptor on cancer cells. It treats HER2-overexpressing breast cancer in early and metastatic settings and HER2-overexpressing metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, with patients selected by companion diagnostic testing.

Iclusig (ponatinib) is an oral, multi-targeted kinase inhibitor from Takeda for Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemias. It blocks the BCR-ABL driver protein in chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, including the hard-to-treat T315I mutation, after other kinase inhibitors have failed or are unsuitable.

Rituxan (rituximab) is a CD20-directed monoclonal antibody from Genentech used across blood cancers and immune diseases. It depletes B cells that carry the CD20 marker, and is used in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, certain vasculitides, and pemphigus vulgaris.

Venclexta (venetoclax) is a BCL-2 inhibitor from AbbVie used in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma, alone or with other antibodies depending on line of therapy, and with a hypomethylating agent in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia when intensive chemotherapy is not suitable.

Brukinsa (zanubrutinib) is a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor from BeOne Medicines for several mature B-cell cancers, including mantle cell lymphoma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, marginal zone lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma in combination with obinutuzumab.

Humira (adalimumab) is a fully human monoclonal antibody from AbbVie that neutralises tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a key driver of inflammatory disease. It is used across several chronic inflammatory conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis and uveitis.

Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) is a PEGylated antibody fragment from UCB that neutralises TNF-alpha. Without the Fc portion, it is designed to calm inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn disease while behaving differently from full-length antibodies.

Remicade (infliximab) is a chimeric antibody that binds and neutralises TNF-alpha, one of the first biologics for inflammatory disease. Given by infusion, it is used in Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and other immune conditions.

Olumiant (baricitinib) is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor from Eli Lilly. By damping JAK-STAT signalling it reduces inflammatory cytokine activity, and is used in rheumatoid arthritis after TNF blockers, in hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19, and in severe alopecia areata.

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor from AbbVie for several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, atopic dermatitis, giant cell arteritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease, usually after an inadequate response to prior therapy such as TNF blockers or DMARDs.

Benralizumab (Fasenra) is a biologic medicine that targets eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that drives certain kinds of inflammation. It binds to the interleukin-5 receptor on eosinophils and recruits natural killer cells to remove them. It is used as add-on treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Bimzelx (bimekizumab) is a dual IL-17A and IL-17F inhibitor from UCB that neutralises two closely related cytokines driving inflammation in skin, joints, and spine. It treats moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, and hidradenitis suppurativa in adults.

Tarpeyo (nefecon) is a targeted-release capsule of budesonide from Calliditas Therapeutics for adults with primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). It releases budesonide in the ileum to act on mucosal immunity. In the European Union the same medicine is authorised as Kinpeygo.

Dupixent (dupilumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Sanofi that blocks interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signalling, two drivers of type 2 inflammation. It is used in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, and as add-on therapy in selected asthma.

Enbrel (etanercept) is a TNF blocker built as a decoy receptor fused to an antibody fragment. It mops up tumour necrosis factor before it can inflame joints and skin, and is used in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic disease, ankylosing spondylitis and plaque psoriasis.

Tremfya (guselkumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Janssen that selectively blocks interleukin-23, a driver of psoriatic inflammation. It clears skin in plaque psoriasis and treats psoriatic arthritis, in adults and children from six years.

Skyrizi (risankizumab) is an interleukin-23 inhibitor from AbbVie for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, and moderately to severely active Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It calms the IL-23-driven inflammatory loop behind these conditions.

Ilumya (tildrakizumab) is an interleukin-23 inhibitor for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Given by injection at spaced intervals, it calms the IL-23-driven inflammatory loop behind psoriatic plaques.

Taltz (ixekizumab) is an interleukin-17A inhibitor from Eli Lilly that neutralises a key cytokine driving inflammation in skin, joints, and spine. It treats moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults.

Cosentyx (secukinumab) is an interleukin-17A inhibitor from Novartis for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, enthesitis-related arthritis, and hidradenitis suppurativa. It blocks a key cytokine that sustains inflammation in skin, joints, and spine.

Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Eli Lilly that selectively neutralises interleukin-13, a key driver of type 2 inflammation in atopic dermatitis. It is used in moderate-to-severe disease in adults and adolescents when topical treatment is not enough.

Adbry (tralokinumab) is an interleukin-13 antagonist from LEO Pharma for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in patients aged 12 years and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies. It can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.

Nucala (mepolizumab) is a monoclonal antibody from GlaxoSmithKline that neutralises interleukin-5, the key survival signal for eosinophils. It prevents attacks in severe eosinophilic asthma and treats chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Jakafi (ruxolitinib) is a Janus kinase inhibitor from Incyte that blocks JAK1 and JAK2, calming overactive immune and blood-cell signalling. It treats myelofibrosis, polycythaemia vera, and both acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease when other therapies have not worked.

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor from Pfizer that calms overactive immune signalling. After TNF blockers have not worked, it treats rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, and certain childhood arthritis forms.

Actemra (tocilizumab) is an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist from Roche for rheumatoid arthritis, giant cell arteritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, severe CAR T cell-induced cytokine release syndrome, and hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19. It blocks IL-6 signalling that drives inflammatory disease.

Stelara (ustekinumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Janssen that blocks the p40 subunit shared by interleukin-12 and interleukin-23. It is used in plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis in adults, and in plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in children from 6 years of age.

Entyvio (vedolizumab) is a gut-selective integrin antagonist from Takeda for moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease in adults who have not responded adequately to conventional therapy or TNF-alpha antagonists. In the European Union it also covers chronic pouchitis after surgery for ulcerative colitis.

Acarbose is an oral alpha-glucosidase inhibitor for type 2 diabetes. It slows the enzymes that digest starch and sucrose in the small intestine, so glucose enters the blood more gradually and post-meal blood sugar rises stay smaller. It is used alongside diet and exercise in adults.

Invokana (canagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor from Janssen. It makes the kidneys excrete extra glucose, lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, and it also reduces major cardiovascular events and diabetic kidney disease progression in at-risk adults.

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor from AstraZeneca. It makes the kidneys excrete extra glucose, lowering blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, and it also protects against heart failure hospitalisation in people with diabetes and cardiovascular risk.

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor from Boehringer Ingelheim. It lowers blood sugar by letting glucose leave through the urine, and it also protects the heart and kidneys, reducing heart failure hospitalisation and kidney disease progression.

Trulicity (dulaglutide) is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist from Eli Lilly for type 2 diabetes. It boosts insulin when glucose is high, calms glucagon and slows stomach emptying, improving blood sugar and reducing major cardiovascular events in at-risk adults.

Victoza (liraglutide) is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist from Novo Nordisk for type 2 diabetes. A fatty acid tail keeps it in the blood for about a day, boosting meal-time insulin, calming glucagon and slowing stomach emptying to lower blood sugar.

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist from Novo Nordisk for adults with type 2 diabetes. Alongside diet and exercise it improves blood sugar control, reduces major cardiovascular events in people with established cardiovascular disease, and protects kidney function in chronic kidney disease.

Nexplanon (etonogestrel) is a matchstick-sized implant from Organon placed under the skin of the upper arm. It releases a steady low level of progestin for up to five years, preventing ovulation and thickening cervical mucus to provide long-acting contraception.

NovoLog (insulin aspart) is a rapid-acting insulin from Novo Nordisk. A single amino acid change makes it absorb quickly after injection, so it covers the rise in blood sugar that follows a meal, and it is used in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Humalog (insulin lispro) is a rapid-acting insulin from Eli Lilly. Two swapped amino acids make it absorb quickly after injection, so it covers the rise in blood sugar that follows a meal, and it is used in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Tresiba (insulin degludec) is an ultra-long-acting basal insulin from Novo Nordisk. After injection it forms multi-hexamer chains under the skin that release insulin steadily for more than 24 hours, providing a stable, peakless background level for diabetes control.

Lantus (insulin glargine) is a long-acting basal insulin from Sanofi. A single daily injection provides a steady, peakless insulin level for about 24 hours, controlling blood sugar in type 1 diabetes and in type 2 diabetes when other medicines are not enough.

Metformin (Glucophage) is an oral biguanide for type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose mainly by reducing glucose output from the liver and by helping the body respond better to its own insulin. It is used with diet and exercise in adults and children aged 10 years and older.

Isturisa (osilodrostat) is an oral cortisol synthesis inhibitor from Recordati Rare Diseases for adults with endogenous Cushing's syndrome when surgery is not an option or has not been curative. It blocks the enzyme that makes cortisol in the adrenal glands, lowering the excess hormone that drives the disease.

Januvia (sitagliptin) is an oral DPP-4 inhibitor from Merck that improves blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is used alone or with metformin, a sulfonylurea, a thiazolidinedione, or insulin when diet and exercise are not enough.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist from Eli Lilly. It improves blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes alongside diet and exercise, and in the European Union it is also approved for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with a weight-related condition.

Idelvion (albutrepenonacog alfa) is a long-acting recombinant factor IX product from CSL Behring for haemophilia B. Fused to albumin, it replaces the clotting factor that patients lack, preventing and treating bleeding episodes and reducing the need for frequent infusions.

Praluent (alirocumab) is a PCSK9 inhibitor from Sanofi and Regeneron. By blocking PCSK9, it preserves LDL receptors on liver cells, sharply lowering LDL cholesterol and reducing major cardiovascular events in adults at increased risk.

Repatha (evolocumab) is a PCSK9 inhibitor from Amgen. By protecting LDL receptors from destruction, it dramatically lowers LDL cholesterol and reduces major cardiovascular events in adults at increased risk.

Norvasc (amlodipine) is a long-acting calcium channel blocker. By relaxing the muscle in blood vessel walls and easing the heart's workload, it lowers blood pressure and relieves angina. It is used alone or with other medicines for hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Eliquis (apixaban) is an oral factor Xa inhibitor from Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer. By interrupting one key step of the clotting cascade it prevents harmful clots, and is used to reduce stroke risk in atrial fibrillation and to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Savaysa (edoxaban) is an oral factor Xa inhibitor from Daiichi Sankyo. By blocking one central step of the clotting cascade it reduces stroke risk in atrial fibrillation and treats deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after initial injectable therapy.

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is an oral factor Xa inhibitor from Bayer that blocks a key enzyme of the clotting cascade. It prevents and treats deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, reduces stroke risk in atrial fibrillation, and lowers cardiovascular events after acute coronary syndromes or in coronary and peripheral artery disease.

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a salicylate that relieves pain and fever and, by dampening platelet clumping, helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. It is one of the oldest medicines still in wide use, both for everyday aches and for cardiovascular protection.

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a statin that lowers LDL cholesterol by slowing its production in the liver and helping clear it from the blood. Beyond lowering numbers, it reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with cardiovascular risk factors or established heart disease.

Crestor (rosuvastatin) is a statin that lowers LDL cholesterol by slowing its production in the liver. As an adjunct to diet it treats high cholesterol, familial hypercholesterolemia, and certain triglyceride disorders, and it reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events in people at increased risk.

Plavix (clopidogrel) is a P2Y12 platelet inhibitor from Sanofi that prevents platelets from clumping into clots. It reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke after acute coronary syndromes, recent myocardial infarction, recent stroke, or established peripheral arterial disease.

Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a P2Y12 platelet inhibitor from AstraZeneca that prevents platelets from clumping into clots. It reduces heart attack and stroke risk in high-risk coronary artery disease and after acute coronary syndromes or myocardial infarction, and lowers stroke risk after minor ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA.

Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor from Boehringer Ingelheim. By blocking thrombin, the enzyme that forms clots, it reduces stroke risk in atrial fibrillation and treats or prevents deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Rolvedon (eflapegrastim) is a long-acting G-CSF analogue that stimulates the bone marrow to make neutrophils. Given after myelosuppressive chemotherapy for non-myeloid cancers, it shortens the period of low white cells and reduces febrile neutropenia.

Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor, a prodrug converted to enalaprilat, that relaxes blood vessels by blocking angiotensin II formation. It lowers blood pressure and lightens the heart's workload, and is used in hypertension and heart failure.

Entresto combines sacubitril, a neprilysin inhibitor, with valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker. From Novartis, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization in adults with chronic heart failure and treats symptomatic heart failure in children aged one year and older.

Vyndaqel and Vyndamax (tafamidis) are transthyretin stabilizers from Pfizer. In the United States they treat transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy to reduce cardiovascular death and hospitalization, and in the European Union tafamidis delays nerve damage in early hereditary transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy.

Remodulin (treprostinil) is a prostacyclin mimetic from United Therapeutics used in pulmonary arterial hypertension (WHO Group 1) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise, and to support transition from epoprostenol. In the European Union, as Trepulmix, it is used in inoperable or persistent or recurrent chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic that stops bacteria from building their cell walls. It is used for common bacterial infections such as pneumonia and skin, ear and urinary tract infections, and with other medicines to eliminate Helicobacter pylori in ulcer disease.

Biktarvy combines bictegravir with emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide into a single daily tablet from Gilead for HIV-1 infection. Bictegravir blocks the viral integrase enzyme, stopping HIV from inserting its genetic material into infected cells.

Apretude (cabotegravir) is a long-acting injectable integrase inhibitor from ViiV Healthcare used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV-1 infection in adults and adolescents at risk. Given as an intramuscular injection every two months after the initial doses, it keeps protective drug levels in the body between shots.

Tivicay (dolutegravir) is an integrase inhibitor from ViiV Healthcare for HIV-1 infection, always used with other antiretrovirals. It blocks the viral integrase enzyme so HIV cannot splice its genes into infected cells, keeping viral levels suppressed.

Ceftin (cefuroxime axetil) is an oral second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. It kills susceptible bacteria by disrupting their cell wall construction and is used for common infections of the throat, ears, sinuses, airways and urinary tract.

Keflex (cephalexin) is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic that kills bacteria by dismantling their cell walls. It is used for susceptible infections of the respiratory tract, middle ear, skin, bones and urinary tract.

Comirnaty is BioNTech's mRNA vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As SARS-CoV-2 keeps evolving, Comirnaty has been adapted to target the most recent strains of the virus.

Dovato combines dolutegravir and lamivudine into a single daily tablet from ViiV Healthcare for HIV-1 infection in adults. Dolutegravir blocks the viral integrase enzyme that splices HIV genes into host DNA, while lamivudine stops reverse transcriptase from copying the viral genome; together they suppress HIV with a two-drug regimen.

Gardasil 9 is Merck's nine-valent HPV vaccine. It presents virus-like particles from nine human papillomavirus types to the immune system, preventing the HPV infections that can cause cervical, anal and oropharyngeal cancers and genital warts.

Sunlenca (lenacapavir) is a first-in-class long-acting HIV-1 capsid inhibitor from Gilead for adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection who cannot otherwise build a suppressive regimen. It targets the virus's protective protein shell at multiple stages of the replication cycle and is given as a subcutaneous injection every six months.

Prevnar 13 is a conjugate vaccine that protects against disease caused by 13 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae, including invasive pneumococcal disease, pneumonia, and otitis media. It is used in infants and children from six weeks of age and in adults 18 years and older.

Shingrix is GlaxoSmithKline's recombinant, adjuvanted herpes zoster vaccine. It contains varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E and stimulates T-cell and antibody responses that prevent shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia in adults aged 50 and older and in adults aged 18 and older at increased risk.

Abilify (aripiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic from Otsuka. Rather than fully blocking dopamine signals, it partially stimulates dopamine D2 receptors, steadying overactive circuits. It is used in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder, and as add-on therapy in major depressive disorder.

Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic from Otsuka that modulates dopamine and serotonin receptors. It is used in schizophrenia, as an add-on to antidepressants in major depressive disorder, and for agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

Vraylar (cariprazine) is an atypical antipsychotic with a unique preference for dopamine D3 receptors. It is used for schizophrenia, manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder, bipolar depression, and as add-on therapy for major depressive disorder. Rather than fully blocking dopamine signals, it partially stimulates D3 and D2 receptors, helping to stabilize overactive circuits.

Latuda (lurasidone) is an atypical antipsychotic that modulates dopamine and serotonin receptors. It treats schizophrenia in adults and adolescents, and depressive episodes of bipolar I disorder, alone or with mood stabilisers.

Invega (paliperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It blocks dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, calming overactive signaling in thought and mood circuits. It is the major active metabolite of risperidone and is formulated as a once-daily extended-release tablet.

Seroquel (quetiapine) is an atypical antipsychotic used for schizophrenia, manic and depressive episodes of bipolar I disorder, and as add-on treatment in major depressive disorder. It modulates dopamine and serotonin receptors, calming overactive signaling in mood and thought circuits.

Xcopri (cenobamate) is an anticonvulsant from SK Life Science for partial-onset seizures in adults. It calms hyperexcitable brain circuits by tempering sodium channel activity and boosting inhibitory GABA signalling, helping control seizures that persist despite other medicines.

Aimovig (erenumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Amgen that blocks the receptor for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key signaling molecule in migraine. Given once monthly by injection, it prevents migraine attacks in adults.

Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is a small-molecule CGRP receptor antagonist (a "gepant") from Pfizer. Taken as an orally disintegrating tablet, it both treats acute migraine attacks and, on an every-other-day schedule, prevents episodic migraine in adults.

Ajovy (fremanezumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Teva that binds calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key molecule in migraine biology. Given monthly or quarterly by injection, it prevents migraine attacks in adults and selected adolescents.

Emgality (galcanezumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Eli Lilly that binds and neutralizes calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a key signaling molecule in migraine. Given once monthly by injection, it prevents migraine in adults and treats episodic cluster headache.

Tysabri (natalizumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Biogen for highly active relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis and, in the United States, for moderately to severely active Crohn's disease after inadequate response to conventional therapy. It keeps inflammatory immune cells out of the brain and gut.

Spinraza (nusinersen) is an antisense oligonucleotide from Biogen for spinal muscular atrophy in children and adults. Given into the spinal fluid, it helps the backup SMN2 gene produce more of the survival motor neuron protein that motor neurons need to survive.

Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) is a CD20-directed monoclonal antibody from Genentech for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis in adults and children aged 10 years and older, and for primary progressive MS in adults. It depletes the B cells that contribute to inflammatory damage in the brain and spinal cord.

Pregabalin (Lyrica) is an oral gabapentinoid used for neuropathic pain, adjunctive treatment of partial seizures, and generalised anxiety disorder in adults. It binds to calcium-channel subunits on overactive nerve cells, quieting the release of pain and excitatory signals. It is taken by mouth and is not a direct GABA agonist.

Propofol (Diprivan) is an intravenous anesthetic and sedative given in hospitals to induce and maintain general anesthesia, to sedate adults during monitored care or with regional anesthesia, and to sedate intubated adults in the intensive care unit. It works within minutes and wears off quickly.

Ingrezza (valbenazine) is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor from Neurocrine Biosciences. It is used in adults to treat tardive dyskinesia and the chorea associated with Huntington's disease, conditions marked by involuntary movements.

Symbicort combines budesonide and formoterol in a single inhaler from AstraZeneca for the regular treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Budesonide calms inflammation in the airways, while formoterol keeps the muscles around the airways relaxed for up to 12 hours.

Formoterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilator. Inhaled twice daily, it relaxes the muscle around the airways and keeps them open, helping maintain breathing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Ryaltris is a nasal spray from Glenmark that combines olopatadine, an antihistamine, with mometasone, a corticosteroid. It treats the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in adults and children aged 6 years and older, easing sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion.

Ventolin (salbutamol, also known as albuterol) is a short-acting inhaled bronchodilator. It treats or prevents bronchospasm in people aged 4 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease and prevents exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Zioptan (tafluprost) is a prostaglandin analog eye drop from Thea Pharma. Used once daily, it lowers elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension by helping fluid drain from the eye.

Travatan (travoprost) is a prostaglandin analogue eye drop from Novartis that lowers raised intraocular pressure. In the European Union it is used in adults with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma, and in children from 2 months of age with ocular hypertension or paediatric glaucoma.

Abatacept (Orencia) is a biologic medicine that calms overactive immune responses by blocking a key step in T-cell activation. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and to help prevent acute graft-versus-host disease after stem cell transplant.

Abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) is an oral medicine that lowers the body's production of androgens by blocking an enzyme needed to make testosterone. It is used with prednisone to treat metastatic castration-resistant and castration-sensitive prostate cancer.

Adapalene is a topical retinoid applied to the skin to treat acne. It normalises how skin cells grow and shed inside the follicle, keeps pores from clogging, and calms local inflammation. It is available in gels and creams and is used in adults and adolescents.

Otezla (apremilast) is a PDE4 inhibitor from Amgen that raises levels of cyclic AMP inside immune cells, dialling down the inflammatory chemicals that drive psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and oral ulcers in Behçet's disease. It is taken by mouth and does not require routine laboratory monitoring for organ toxicity.

Azithromycin (Zithromax) is an oral macrolide antibiotic used for mild to moderate infections caused by susceptible bacteria, including prophylaxis and treatment of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in persons with advanced HIV infection. It works by binding to bacterial ribosomes and stopping production of proteins the bacteria need to grow and spread. It is not effective against viral infections.

Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) is an oral antiviral used to treat acute uncomplicated influenza in patients 5 years of age and older and for post-exposure prophylaxis in that age group. It blocks the influenza virus's cap-snatching enzyme (PA endonuclease), stopping the virus from making the mRNA it needs to replicate. It is taken as a single oral dose for treatment.

Crysvita (burosumab) is a monoclonal antibody from Kyowa Kirin that neutralises FGF23, the hormone that wastes phosphate through the kidneys. By restoring phosphate balance it treats X-linked hypophosphataemia and tumour-induced osteomalacia, conditions that weaken bones.

Carfilzomib (Kyprolis) is a proteasome inhibitor that blocks the cell's waste-disposal system. Cancer cells, especially multiple myeloma cells, produce large amounts of waste proteins; when the proteasome is blocked, these waste proteins build up and the cancer cells die. It is used alone or in combination to treat multiple myeloma.

Celecoxib (Celebrex) is an oral COX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute pain, and primary dysmenorrhea. It blocks the COX-2 enzyme that makes pain-causing prostaglandins, while largely sparing the COX-1 enzyme that protects the stomach lining. It is taken by mouth in adults and children aged 2 years and older for certain indications.

Denosumab is a RANKL inhibitor from Amgen. As Prolia it strengthens bones in osteoporosis; under oncology brands it prevents skeletal complications of cancer that has spread to bone. It works by slowing the cells that break bone down.

DDAVP (desmopressin) is a synthetic version of the body's water-retaining hormone vasopressin. It concentrates urine in diabetes insipidus, curbs excess urination after pituitary injury, and can temporarily raise clotting factor levels in mild haemophilia A.

Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) is a selective TYK2 inhibitor from Bristol-Myers Squibb that blocks one specific kinase in the inflammatory signalling chain, calming the immune overactivity that drives plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It is taken by mouth and does not require routine laboratory monitoring for organ toxicity.

Aricept (donepezil) is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor originally from Eisai. Taken once daily by mouth, it raises the level of acetylcholine in the brain and is used to treat mild, moderate, and severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used for depression, generalized anxiety disorder, diabetic nerve pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. By boosting both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain and spinal cord, it lifts mood and also turns down the volume on chronic pain signals.

Trikafta (Kaftrio in Europe) combines elexacaftor, tezacaftor and ivacaftor from Vertex for cystic fibrosis. Two correctors help the defective CFTR channel reach the cell surface, and a potentiator opens it, restoring salt and water movement.

Descovy combines emtricitabine with tenofovir alafenamide into a single daily tablet from Gilead for HIV-1 infection and for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in people at risk. Both drugs block the viral reverse transcriptase enzyme, stopping HIV from copying its genetic material into new virus particles.

Enfortumab vedotin (Padcev) is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets Nectin-4, a protein found on bladder cancer cells. It delivers a cancer-killing drug directly to those cells. It is used alone or with pembrolizumab to treat certain types of bladder and urinary tract cancers.

Lexapro (escitalopram) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. It blocks the serotonin transporter, leaving more serotonin available in the synapse to help restore mood balance. It is one of the most selective SSRIs available.

Zoloft (sertraline) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It blocks the serotonin transporter, increasing serotonin signaling in mood and fear circuits. It is one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants.

Ezetimibe (Zetia) is an oral medicine that lowers cholesterol by blocking its absorption in the small intestine. It is used alone or with other cholesterol-lowering medicines such as statins to reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol in adults and children with inherited or acquired high cholesterol.

Gamunex-C is a purified immune globulin product from Grifols made from donated human plasma. It replaces missing antibodies in primary immunodeficiency and can raise platelet counts in immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Levofloxacin (Levaquin) is an oral and intravenous fluoroquinolone antibiotic used in adults for bacterial pneumonias, skin infections, urinary tract infections, chronic bacterial prostatitis, acute bacterial sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, and post-exposure inhalational anthrax and plague. It blocks bacterial enzymes needed to copy DNA, killing the bacteria. It should be reserved when alternative treatments are not suitable.

Ebixa (memantine) is an NMDA receptor antagonist used for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It calms excess glutamate signaling in the brain, helping to protect neurons from overstimulation. It does not cure Alzheimer's but can slow the worsening of symptoms for a time.

Montelukast (Singulair) is an oral medicine that blocks leukotrienes, inflammatory chemicals that tighten airways and trigger allergy symptoms. It is used for the prevention and long-term treatment of asthma, prevention of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and relief of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

Omalizumab (Xolair) is a biologic medicine that binds to immunoglobulin E (IgE), the antibody that triggers allergic reactions. It is used as add-on therapy for moderate-to-severe allergic asthma, chronic spontaneous urticaria, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and to reduce allergic reactions from accidental food allergen exposure.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes. It treats frequent heartburn over the counter, and by prescription it is used for gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid-related ulcers, and conditions with excess stomach acid.

Pantoprazole (Protonix) is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes. It heals erosive esophagitis from gastroesophageal reflux disease, keeps it healed, treats excess acid conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and relieves reflux symptoms.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is an oral antiviral used to treat and prevent influenza A and B in adults, children, and neonates. It blocks the flu virus's neuraminidase enzyme, preventing newly formed virus particles from escaping infected cells and spreading to others. It works best when started within 48 hours of symptom onset and is not a substitute for influenza vaccination.

Polatuzumab vedotin (Polivy) is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets CD79b, a protein found on B-cell lymphoma cells. It delivers a cancer-killing drug directly into those cells. It is used in combination with other medicines to treat certain types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Evenity (romosozumab) is a sclerostin inhibitor from Amgen. Given as monthly injections for up to 12 months, it builds new bone and also slows bone breakdown, reducing fracture risk in postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis.

Sacituzumab govitecan (Trodelvy) is an antibody-drug conjugate that targets Trop-2, a protein found on many cancer cells. It delivers a cancer-killing drug directly into those cells. It is used to treat certain types of breast cancer, including triple-negative and hormone receptor-positive breast cancers.

Viagra (sildenafil) is a PDE5 inhibitor originally from Pfizer. By blocking the enzyme that breaks down cGMP, it enhances blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, treating erectile dysfunction; a separate formulation (Revatio) treats pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Cialis (tadalafil) is a PDE5 inhibitor from Eli Lilly. By blocking the enzyme that breaks down cGMP, it enhances blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation for erectile dysfunction, and it also relaxes smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Epclusa combines sofosbuvir and velpatasvir into a single daily tablet from Gilead for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults and children aged 3 years and older. The two drugs block different steps the virus uses to copy itself, and the combination can cure HCV across all major genotypes.

Lumakras (sotorasib) is a first-in-class oral KRAS G12C inhibitor from Amgen for adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer or metastatic colorectal cancer that carry the KRAS G12C mutation. It locks the mutant KRAS protein in an inactive state, switching off the growth signal that drives these tumours.

Forteo (teriparatide) is a parathyroid hormone analog from Eli Lilly. Given as a daily injection, it stimulates new bone formation and is used to treat osteoporosis in people at high risk of fracture, including postmenopausal women, men with primary osteoporosis, and patients on long-term glucocorticoids.

Tiotropium bromide (Spiriva) is an inhaled medicine that relaxes the muscles around the airways by blocking muscarinic receptors. It is used once daily as long-term maintenance treatment to open the airways and reduce flare-ups in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Trametinib (Mekinist) is a MEK inhibitor used to treat certain melanomas, lung cancers, thyroid cancers, and other solid tumors with BRAF V600 mutations. It blocks the MEK protein, which is part of the same growth pathway as BRAF. It is used alone or in combination with dabrafenib.

Voxzogo (vosoritide) is a C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) analog from BioMarin for achondroplasia, the most common form of disproportionate short stature. In the United States it increases linear growth in children with open epiphyses, and in the European Union it is used from 4 months of age while growth plates remain open.

Amvuttra (vutrisiran) is a small interfering RNA medicine from Alnylam that silences production of transthyretin. It treats the polyneuropathy of hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis in adults, and in the United States also the cardiomyopathy of wild-type or hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis.