ATC codes
The ATC (Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical) classification sorts medicines by the organ or system they act on and by their effect and chemical group. It has 5 levels – from the main group, e.g. C Cardiovascular system, down to the active substance. Listed are the groups with UK medicines whose patient leaflet or SPC is on this site, with their number.
A Alimentary tract and metabolism drugs 1,624 medicines
- A01 Stomatological preparations 38 medicines in plain English: medicines for the mouth and teeth A01A Stomatological preparations
- A02 Drugs for acid related disorders 199 medicines in plain English: medicines for heartburn, indigestion and stomach ulcers A02A Antacids · A02B Drugs for peptic ulcer and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) (medicines for heartburn, acid reflux and stomach ulcers)
- A03 Drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders 87 medicines in plain English: medicines for stomach cramps and irritable bowel A03A Drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders · A03B Belladonna and derivatives containing drugs, plain for functional gastrointestinal disorders · A03F Propulsives
- A04 Antiemetics and antinauseants 88 medicines in plain English: medicines for nausea and vomiting A04A Antiemetics and antinauseants
- A05 Bile and liver therapy drugs 30 medicines in plain English: medicines for the liver and gallbladder A05A Bile therapy drugs
- A06 Drugs for constipation 146 medicines in plain English: laxatives, medicines for constipation A06A Drugs for constipation
- A07 Antidiarrheals, intestinal antiinflammatory/antiinfective agents 141 medicines in plain English: medicines for diarrhoea and inflammation of the bowel A07A Intestinal antiinfectives · A07B Intestinal adsorbents · A07C Electrolytes with carbohydrates, antidiarrheals, intestinal antiinflammatory/antiinfective agents · A07D Antipropulsives · A07E Intestinal antiinflammatory agents (medicines for inflammation of the bowel, e.g. Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) · A07X Other antidiarrheals
- A08 Antiobesity preparations, excl. diet products 13 medicines in plain English: weight loss medicines A08A Antiobesity preparations, excl. diet products
- A09 Digestives, incl. enzymes 25 medicines in plain English: digestive enzymes A09A Digestives, incl. enzymes
- A10 Drugs used in diabetes 589 medicines in plain English: medicines for diabetes A10A Insulins and analogues (insulins) · A10B Blood glucose lowering drugs, excl. insulins (medicines for diabetes other than insulin)
- A11 Vitamins 121 medicines in plain English: vitamins A11A Multivitamins, combinations · A11C Vitamin A and D, incl. combinations of the two · A11D Vitamin B1, plain and in combination with vitamin B6 and B12 · A11E Vitamin B-complex, incl. combinations · A11G Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), incl. combinations · A11H Other plain vitamin preparations · A11J Other vitamin products, combinations
- A12 Mineral supplements 51 medicines in plain English: minerals, e.g. calcium, potassium or magnesium A12A Calcium supplements · A12B Potassium supplements · A12C Other mineral supplements
- A14 Anabolic agents for systemic use 1 medicine A14A Anabolic steroids
- A16 Other alimentary tract and metabolism products 95 medicines in plain English: medicines for rare metabolic diseases A16A Other alimentary tract and metabolism products
B Blood and blood forming organ drugs 1,013 medicines
- B01 Antithrombotic agents 447 medicines in plain English: blood thinners, medicines against blood clots B01A Antithrombotic agents
- B02 Antihemorrhagics 196 medicines in plain English: medicines to stop bleeding B02A Antifibrinolytics · B02B Vitamin K and other hemostatics
- B03 Antianemic preparations 152 medicines in plain English: medicines for anaemia, e.g. iron B03A Iron antianemic preparations · B03B Vitamin B12 and folic acid · B03X Other antianemic preparations
- B05 Blood substitutes and perfusion solutions 194 medicines in plain English: drips and solutions given into a vein B05A Blood and related products · B05B IV solutions used in parenteral administration of fluids, electrolytes and nutrients · B05C Irrigating solutions, blood substitutes and perfusion · B05D Peritoneal dialytics · B05X I.V. solution additives · B05Z Hemodialytics and hemofiltrates
- B06 Other hematological agents 24 medicines in plain English: other medicines for the blood B06A Other hematological agents
C Cardiovascular system drugs 1,712 medicines
- C01 Cardiac therapy drugs 288 medicines in plain English: heart medicines C01A Cardiac glycosides · C01B Antiarrhythmics, class I and III · C01C Cardiac stimulants excl. cardiac glycosides · C01D Vasodilators used in cardiac diseases · C01E Other cardiac preparations
- C02 Antihypertensives 133 medicines in plain English: medicines for high blood pressure C02A Antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting · C02C Antiadrenergic agents, peripherally acting · C02D Arteriolar smooth muscle, agents acting on · C02K Other antihypertensives
- C03 Diuretics 174 medicines in plain English: water tablets (diuretics) C03A Low-ceiling diuretics, thiazides · C03B Low-ceiling diuretics, excl. thiazides · C03C High-ceiling diuretics · C03D Potassium-sparing diuretics · C03E Diuretics and potassium-sparing agents in combination · C03X Other diuretics
- C04 Peripheral vasodilators 10 medicines in plain English: medicines widening the blood vessels of the arms and legs C04A Peripheral vasodilators
- C05 Vasoprotectives 38 medicines in plain English: medicines for piles and varicose veins C05A Agents for treatment of hemorrhoids and anal fissures for topical use · C05B Antivaricose therapy drugs · C05C Capillary stabilizing agents
- C07 Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents 177 medicines in plain English: beta blockers, for high blood pressure and the heart C07A Beta blocking agents · C07B Beta blocking agents and thiazides · C07C Beta blocking agents and other diuretics · C07D Beta blocking agents, thiazides and other diuretics · C07F Beta blocking agents, other combinations
- C08 Calcium channel blockers 192 medicines in plain English: medicines for high blood pressure and angina C08C Selective calcium channel blockers with mainly vascular effects · C08D Selective calcium channel blockers with direct cardiac effects
- C09 Agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system 492 medicines in plain English: medicines for high blood pressure and heart failure C09A ACE inhibitors, plain (ACE inhibitors, for high blood pressure and heart failure) · C09B ACE inhibitors, combinations · C09C Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), plain (sartans, for high blood pressure and heart failure) · C09D Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), combinations (sartans combined with another medicine for high blood pressure) · C09X Other agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system
- C10 Lipid modifying agents 208 medicines in plain English: medicines lowering cholesterol, e.g. statins C10A Lipid modifying agents, plain · C10B Lipid modifying agents, combinations
D Dermatologicals 411 medicines
- D01 Antifungals for dermatological use 69 medicines in plain English: medicines for fungal infections of the skin and nails D01A Antifungals for topical use · D01B Antifungals for systemic use
- D02 Emollients and protectives 13 medicines in plain English: moisturisers and skin protectants D02A Emollients and protectives · D02B Protectives against UV-radiation
- D03 Preparations for treatment of wounds and ulcers 4 medicines in plain English: medicines for wounds and ulcers D03A Cicatrizants · D03B Enzymes for treatment of wounds and ulcers
- D04 Antipruritics, incl. antihistamines, anesthetics, etc. 10 medicines in plain English: medicines for itchy skin D04A Antipruritics, incl. antihistamines, anesthetics, etc.
- D05 Antipsoriatics 34 medicines in plain English: medicines for psoriasis D05A Antipsoriatics for topical use · D05B Antipsoriatics for systemic use
- D06 Antibiotics and chemotherapeutics for dermatological use 41 medicines in plain English: antibiotics for the skin D06A Antibiotics for topical use · D06B Chemotherapeutics for topical use
- D07 Corticosteroids, dermatological preparations 97 medicines in plain English: steroid creams and ointments D07A Corticosteroid dermatological preparations, plain · D07B Corticosteroids, combinations with antiseptics · D07C Corticosteroids, combinations with antibiotics · D07X Corticosteroids, other combinations
- D08 Antiseptics and disinfectants 30 medicines in plain English: antiseptics D08A Antiseptics and disinfectants
- D09 Medicated dressings 1 medicine D09A Medicated dressings
- D10 Anti-acne preparations 62 medicines in plain English: medicines for acne D10A Anti-acne preparations for topical use · D10B Anti-acne preparations for systemic use
- D11 Other dermatological preparations 51 medicines in plain English: other medicines for the skin D11A Other dermatological preparations
G Genito urinary system and sex hormones 815 medicines
- G01 Gynecological antiinfectives and antiseptics 31 medicines in plain English: medicines for vaginal infections G01A Antiinfectives and antiseptics, excl. combinations with corticosteroids
- G02 Other gynecologicals 47 medicines in plain English: other medicines for women's health G02A Uterotonics · G02B Contraceptives for topical use · G02C Other gynecologicals
- G03 Sex hormones and modulators of the genital system 364 medicines in plain English: sex hormones, incl. contraception and HRT G03A Hormonal contraceptives for systemic use (hormonal contraception) · G03B Androgens · G03C Estrogens, sex hormones and modulators of the genital system (oestrogens, e.g. HRT for the menopause) · G03D Progestogen sex hormones and modulators of the genital system · G03F Progestogens and estrogens in combination · G03G Gonadotropins and other ovulation stimulants · G03H Antiandrogen sex hormones and modulators of the genital system · G03X Other sex hormones and modulators of the genital system
- G04 Urologicals 373 medicines in plain English: medicines for the bladder and prostate and for erection problems G04B Urologicals (medicines for bladder problems and erection problems) · G04C Drugs used in benign prostatic hypertrophy (medicines for an enlarged prostate)
H Systemic hormonal preparations, excl. sex hormones and insulins 442 medicines
- H01 Pituitary and hypothalamic hormones and analogues 162 medicines in plain English: hormones of the pituitary gland, e.g. growth hormone H01A Anterior pituitary lobe hormones and analogues · H01B Posterior pituitary lobe hormones · H01C Hypothalamic hormones
- H02 Corticosteroids for systemic use 140 medicines in plain English: steroid tablets and injections H02A Corticosteroids for systemic use, plain · H02B Corticosteroids for systemic use, combinations · H02C Antiadrenal preparations
- H03 Thyroid therapy drugs 67 medicines in plain English: medicines for the thyroid H03A Thyroid preparations · H03B Antithyroid preparations
- H04 Pancreatic hormones 6 medicines H04A Glycogenolytic hormones
- H05 Calcium homeostasis 67 medicines in plain English: medicines controlling the calcium in the blood H05A Parathyroid hormones and analogues · H05B Anti-parathyroid agents
J Antiinfectives for systemic use 1,393 medicines
- J01 Antibacterials for systemic use 668 medicines in plain English: antibiotics J01A Tetracycline antibiotics · J01B Amphenicols · J01C Beta-lactam antibacterials, penicillins (antibiotics, penicillins) · J01D Other beta-lactam antibacterials (antibiotics, cephalosporins and related) · J01E Sulfonamides and trimethoprim antibacterials for systemic use · J01F Macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramins (antibiotics, macrolides, e.g. clarithromycin) · J01G Aminoglycoside antibacterials · J01M Quinolone antibacterials · J01X Other antibacterials
- J02 Antimycotics for systemic use 118 medicines in plain English: medicines for fungal infections, tablets and injections J02A Antimycotics for systemic use
- J04 Antimycobacterials 44 medicines in plain English: medicines for tuberculosis J04A Drugs for treatment of tuberculosis · J04B Drugs for treatment of lepra
- J05 Antivirals for systemic use 392 medicines in plain English: medicines against viruses, e.g. HIV or hepatitis J05A Direct acting antivirals
- J06 Immune sera and immunoglobulins 47 medicines in plain English: antibodies (immunoglobulins) J06B Immunoglobulins
- J07 Vaccines 124 medicines in plain English: vaccines J07A Bacterial vaccines · J07B Viral vaccines (vaccines against viral diseases) · J07C Bacterial and viral vaccines, combined
L Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents 1,791 medicines
- L01 Antineoplastic agents 1,025 medicines in plain English: cancer medicines L01A Alkylating agents · L01B Antimetabolites (cancer medicines that stop cells from dividing) · L01C Plant alkaloids and other natural products, antineoplastic drugs · L01D Cytotoxic antibiotics and related substances · L01E Protein kinase inhibitors, antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (targeted cancer medicines (kinase inhibitors)) · L01X Other antineoplastic agents
- L02 Endocrine therapy antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents 131 medicines in plain English: hormone treatment of cancer L02A Hormones and related agents · L02B Hormone antagonists and related agents
- L03 Immunostimulants 93 medicines in plain English: medicines boosting the immune system L03A Immunostimulants
- L04 Immunosuppressants 545 medicines in plain English: medicines suppressing the immune system, e.g. after a transplant or for autoimmune diseases L04A Immunosuppressants
M Musculo-skeletal system drugs 701 medicines
- M01 Antiinflammatory and antirheumatic products 344 medicines in plain English: anti-inflammatory painkillers, e.g. ibuprofen M01A Antiinflammatory and antirheumatic products, non-steroids · M01C Specific antirheumatic agents
- M02 Topical products for joint and muscular pain 59 medicines in plain English: gels and creams for joint and muscle pain M02A Topical products for joint and muscular pain
- M03 Muscle relaxants 95 medicines in plain English: muscle relaxants M03A Muscle relaxants, peripherally acting agents · M03B Muscle relaxants, centrally acting agents · M03C Muscle relaxants, directly acting agents
- M04 Antigout preparations 52 medicines in plain English: medicines for gout M04A Antigout preparations
- M05 Drugs for treatment of bone diseases 135 medicines in plain English: medicines for osteoporosis and other bone diseases M05B Drugs affecting bone structure and mineralization
- M09 Other drugs for disorders of the musculo-skeletal system 16 medicines in plain English: other medicines for muscles and bones M09A Other drugs for disorders of the musculo-skeletal system
N Nervous system drugs 4,479 medicines
- N01 Anesthetics 169 medicines in plain English: anaesthetics N01A Anesthetics, general (general anaesthetics) · N01B Local anesthetics (local anaesthetics, for numbing)
- N02 Analgesics 1,032 medicines in plain English: painkillers, also for migraine N02A Opioid analgesics (opioid painkillers, e.g. codeine, tramadol or morphine) · N02B Other analgesics and antipyretics (painkillers and medicines for fever, e.g. paracetamol) · N02C Antimigraine preparations (medicines for migraine)
- N03 Antiepileptics 1,124 medicines in plain English: medicines for epilepsy N03A Antiepileptics
- N04 Anti-parkinson drugs 315 medicines in plain English: medicines for Parkinson's disease N04A Anticholinergic agents · N04B Dopaminergic agents
- N05 Psycholeptics 825 medicines in plain English: medicines for psychosis, anxiety and sleep problems N05A Antipsychotics (medicines for psychosis, e.g. schizophrenia) · N05B Anxiolytics (medicines for anxiety) · N05C Hypnotics and sedatives (sleeping tablets and sedatives)
- N06 Psychoanaleptics 766 medicines in plain English: antidepressants and medicines for ADHD and dementia N06A Antidepressants (antidepressants) · N06B Psychostimulants, agents used for ADHD and nootropics (medicines for ADHD) · N06D Anti-dementia drugs (medicines for dementia, e.g. Alzheimer's disease)
- N07 Other nervous system drugs 248 medicines in plain English: medicines for addiction and other diseases of the nervous system N07A Parasympathomimetics · N07B Drugs used in addictive disorders (medicines for addiction, e.g. to opioids, alcohol or smoking) · N07C Antivertigo preparations · N07X Other nervous system drugs
P Antiparasitic products, insecticides and repellents 82 medicines
- P01 Antiprotozoals 70 medicines in plain English: medicines for malaria and other parasites P01A Agents against amoebiasis and other protozoal diseases · P01B Antimalarials · P01C Agents against leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis
- P02 Anthelmintics 8 medicines in plain English: medicines for worms P02C Antinematodal agents
- P03 Ectoparasiticides, incl. scabicides, insecticides and repellents 4 medicines in plain English: medicines for head lice and scabies P03A Ectoparasiticides, incl. scabicides
R Respiratory system drugs 803 medicines
- R01 Nasal preparations 91 medicines in plain English: nasal sprays and drops, e.g. for a blocked nose R01A Decongestants and other nasal preparations for topical use · R01B Nasal decongestants for systemic use
- R02 Throat preparations 40 medicines in plain English: medicines for a sore throat R02A Throat preparations
- R03 Drugs for obstructive airway diseases 396 medicines in plain English: medicines for asthma and COPD, e.g. inhalers R03A Adrenergics, inhalants (inhalers opening the airways, for asthma and COPD) · R03B Other drugs for obstructive airway diseases, inhalants (other inhalers for asthma and COPD, e.g. steroid inhalers) · R03C Adrenergics for systemic use · R03D Other systemic drugs for obstructive airway diseases (tablets for asthma and COPD)
- R05 Cough and cold preparations 81 medicines in plain English: cough and cold medicines R05C Expectorants, excl. combinations with cough suppressants · R05D Cough suppressants, excl. combinations with expectorants · R05F Cough suppressants and expectorants, combinations · R05X Other cold preparations
- R06 Antihistamines for systemic use 170 medicines in plain English: antihistamines, medicines for allergies R06A Antihistamines for systemic use
- R07 Other respiratory system products 26 medicines in plain English: other medicines for the lungs R07A Other respiratory system products
S Sensory organ drugs 363 medicines
- S01 Ophthalmologicals 345 medicines in plain English: eye medicines S01A Antiinfective ophthalmologics · S01B Antiinflammatory agents, ophthalmologic · S01C Antiinflammatory agents and antiinfectives in combination · S01E Antiglaucoma preparations and miotics (medicines for glaucoma) · S01F Mydriatics and cycloplegics · S01G Decongestants and antiallergics · S01H Local anesthetics, ophthalmologic · S01J Diagnostic agents, ophthamologic · S01K Surgical aids, ophthalmologic · S01L Ocular vascular disorder agents · S01X Other ophthalmologicals
- S02 Otologicals 14 medicines in plain English: ear medicines S02A Antiinfective drugs, otologic · S02C Corticosteroids and antiinfectives in combination, otologic · S02D Other otologicals
- S03 Ophthalmological and otological preparations 4 medicines in plain English: eye and ear medicines S03A Antiinfectives, ophthalmologic and otologic · S03C Corticosteroids and antiinfectives in combination, opthalmologic and otologic
V Various drug classes 338 medicines
- V01 Allergens 16 medicines in plain English: allergy tests and allergy desensitisation V01A Allergens
- V03 All other therapeutic products 169 medicines in plain English: other medicines, e.g. antidotes V03A All other therapeutic products
- V04 Diagnostic agents 22 medicines in plain English: diagnostic tests V04C Other diagnostic agents
- V07 All other non-therapeutic products 3 medicines V07A All other non-therapeutic products
- V08 Contrast media 61 medicines in plain English: contrast agents for X-ray, CT and MRI scans V08A X-ray contrast media, iodinated · V08B X-ray contrast media, non-iodinated · V08C Magnetic resonance imaging contrast media · V08D Ultrasound contrast media
- V09 Diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals 55 medicines in plain English: radioactive medicines for diagnostic scans V09A Central nervous system diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals · V09B Skeleton diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals · V09C Renal system diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals · V09D Hepatic and reticulo endothelial system diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals · V09E Respiratory system diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals · V09F Thyroid diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals · V09G Cardiovascular system diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals · V09H Inflammation and infection detection · V09I Tumour detection radiopharmaceuticals · V09X Other diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals
- V10 Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals 12 medicines in plain English: radioactive medicines for treatment V10B Pain palliation (bone seeking agents) · V10X Other therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals
Sources: the MHRA product information and the European Medicines Agency (patient leaflets and SPCs), the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), NHS Business Services Authority (ATC codes); ATC/DDD classification: World Health Organization (WHO). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.