WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children

For the adult list, see WHO Model List of Essential Medicines.

The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (aka Essential Medicines List for Children ^[1] or EMLc ^[1] ), published by the World Health Organization (WHO), contains the medications considered to be most effective and safe in children up to twelve years of age to meet the most important needs in a health system. ^{[2] [3]}

The list is divided into core items and complementary items. ^[4] The core items are deemed to be the most cost-effective options for key health problems and are usable with little additional health care resources. ^[4] The complementary items either require additional infrastructure such as specially trained health care providers or diagnostic equipment or have a lower cost–benefit ratio. ^[4]

The first list for children was created in 2007, and the list is in its 10th edition as of 2025 ^[update] . ^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]}

Note: An α indicates a medicine is on the complementary list. ^[4]

Anaesthetics, preoperative medicines and medical gases

General anaesthetics and oxygen

Inhalational medicines

• Isoflurane
• Nitrous oxide ^{[note 1]}
• Oxygen
• Sevoflurane

Injectable medicines

• Ketamine
• Propofol ^{[note 2]}

Local anaesthetics

• Bupivacaine
• Lidocaine
• Lidocaine/epinephrine (lidocaine + epinephrine (adrenaline))

Preoperative medication and sedation for short-term procedures

• Atropine
• Midazolam
• Morphine

Medical gases

• Oxygen ^{[note 3]}

Medicines for pain and palliative care

Non-opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIMs)

• Ibuprofen ^{[note 4]}
• Paracetamol ^{[note 5]} (acetaminophen)

Opioid analgesics

• Morphine ^{[note 6]}

Complementary:

• Methadone ^{α [note 7]}

Medicines for other common symptoms in palliative care

• Amitriptyline
• Cyclizine
• Dexamethasone
• Diazepam
• Docusate sodium
• Hyoscine hydrobromide
• Lactulose
• Midazolam ^{[note 8]}
• Ondansetron ^{[note 9]}
• Senna

Antiallergics and medicines used in anaphylaxis

• Dexamethasone
• Epinephrine (adrenaline)
• Hydrocortisone
• Loratadine ^{[note 10] [note 11]}
• Prednisolone ^{[note 12]}

Antidotes and other substances used in poisonings

Non-specific

• Charcoal, activated ^{[note 13]}

Specific

• Acetylcysteine
• Atropine
• Calcium gluconate
• Naloxone

Complementary:

• Deferoxamine ^α
• Dimercaprol ^α
• Fomepizole ^α
• Sodium calcium edetate ^α
• Succimer ^α

Medicines for neurological disorders

Medicines for central nervous system disorders

Antiseizure medicines

• Carbamazepine
• Diazepam
• Lamotrigine ^{[note 14]}
• Levetiracetam
• Lorazepam ^{[note 15]}
• Magnesium sulfate ^{[note 16]}
• Midazolam ^{[note 8]}
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Prednisolone
• Valproic acid (sodium valproate) ^{[note 17]}

Complementary:

• Ethosuximide ^α
• Levetiracetam ^α
• Valproic acid (sodium valproate) ^{α [note 17]}

Medicines for multiple sclerosis

No listings in this section.

Medicines for parkinsonism

No listings in this section.

Medicines for cerebral palsy

Complementary:

• Baclofen ^α

Medicines for headache disorders

Medicines for acute migraine attacks

• Ibuprofen
• Paracetamol (acetaminophen) ^{[note 18]}

Medicines for migraine prophylaxis

• Propranolol

Medicines for cluster headache

No listings in this section.

Medicines for central nervous system infections

Medicines for bacterial central nervous system infections

• Amoxicillin
• Ampicillin
• Benzylpenicillin
• Cefotaxime ^{[note 19]}
• Ceftriaxone ^{[note 20] [note 21]}
• Chloramphenicol ^{[note 22]}
• Gentamicin

Complementary:

• Meropenem ^{α [note 23]}

Medicines for viral central nervous system infections

• Aciclovir

Medicines for peripheral nervous system disorders

Medicines for Guillain-Barré syndrome

Complementary:

• Normal immunoglobulin ^α

Medicines for myasthenia gravis

• Neostigmine

Complementary:

• Pyridostigmine ^α

Anti-infective medicines

Anthelminthics

Intestinal anthelminthics

A skeletal model of the chemical structure of albendazole

• Albendazole
• Ivermectin
• Levamisole
• Mebendazole
• Niclosamide
• Praziquantel
• Pyrantel

Antifilarials

• Albendazole
• Diethylcarbamazine
• Ivermectin ^{[note 24]}

Antischistosomals and other antinematode medicines

• Praziquantel ^{[note 25]}
• Triclabendazole

Complementary:

• Oxamniquine ^{α [note 26]}

Cysticidal medicines

Complementary:

• Albendazole ^α
• Mebendazole ^α
• Praziquantel ^α

Antibacterials

Access group antibiotics

• Amikacin
• Amoxicillin
• Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)
• Ampicillin
• Benzathine benzylpenicillin
• Benzylpenicillin
• Cefalexin
• Cefazolin ^{[note 27]}
• Chloramphenicol ^{[note 28]}
• Clindamycin
• Cloxacillin ^{[note 29] [note 30]}
• Doxycycline ^{[note 31]}
• Gentamicin
• Metronidazole
• Nitrofurantoin
• Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
• Procaine benzylpenicillin ^{[note 32]}
• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim)
• Trimethoprim

Watch group antibiotics

• Azithromycin
• Cefixime
• Cefotaxime ^{[note 33]}
• Ceftriaxone ^{[note 20] [note 21]}
• Cefuroxime
• Ciprofloxacin
• Clarithromycin ^{[note 34]}
• Piperacillin/tazobactam (piperacillin + tazobactam)
• Vancomycin ^{[note 35]}

Complementary:

• Ceftazidime ^α
• Meropenem ^{α [note 36] [note 23]}
• Vancomycin ^α

Reserve group antibiotics

Complementary:

• Ceftazidime/avibactam (ceftazidime + avibactam) ^α
• Ceftolozane/tazobactam (ceftolozane + tazobactam) ^α
• Colistin ^α
• Fosfomycin ^α
• Linezolid ^α
• Polymyxin B ^α

Antileprosy medicines

• Clofazimine
• Dapsone
• Rifampicin

Antituberculosis medicines

• Amikacin
• Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid) ^{[note 37]}
• Bedaquiline
• Clofazimine
• Cycloserine
• Delamanid
• Ethambutol
• Ethionamide ^{[note 38]}
• Isoniazid
• Isoniazid/pyrazinamide/rifampicin (isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin)
• Isoniazid/rifampicin (isoniazid + rifampicin)
• Isoniazid/rifapentine (isoniazid + rifapentine)
• Levofloxacin
• Linezolid
• Meropenem ^{[note 39]}
• Moxifloxacin
• Moxifloxacin
• P-aminosalicylate sodium
• Pyrazinamide
• Rifampicin
• Rifapentine
• Streptomycin

Antifungal medicines

• Amphotericin B
• Fluconazole
• Flucytosine
• Griseofulvin
• Itraconazole ^{[note 40]}
• Nystatin
• Voriconazole ^{[note 41]}

Complementary:

• Micafungin ^{α [note 42]}
• Potassium iodide ^α

Antiviral medicines

Antiherpes medicines

• Aciclovir

Antiretrovirals

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors

• Lamivudine
• Zidovudine

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

• Nevirapine ^{[note 43]}

Protease inhibitors

• Darunavir ^{[note 44]}
• Lopinavir/ritonavir (lopinavir + ritonavir)
• Ritonavir

Integrase inhibitors

• Dolutegravir ^{[note 45]}
• Raltegravir ^{[note 46]}

Fixed-dose combinations of antiretroviral medicines

• Abacavir/dolutegravir/lamivudine (abacavir + dolutegravir + lamivudine)
• Abacavir/lamivudine (abacavir + lamivudine)
• Lamivudine/zidovudine (lamivudine + zidovudine)

Medicines for prevention of HIV-related opportunistic infections

• Isoniazid/pyridoxine/sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (isoniazid + pyridoxine + sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim)

Other antivirals

Complementary:

• Oseltamivir ^{α [note 47]}
• Valganciclovir ^{α [note 48]}

Antihepatitis medicines

Medicines for hepatitis B

Nucleoside/Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors

• Entecavir

Medicines for hepatitis C

Pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral combinations

• Daclatasvir ^{[note 49]}
• Daclatasvir/sofosbuvir (daclatasvir + sofosbuvir)
• Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (glecaprevir + pibrentasvir)
• Sofosbuvir ^{[note 50]}
• Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (sofosbuvir + velpatasvir)

Non-pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral combinations

No listings in this section.

Other antivirals for hepatitis C

No listings in this section.

Antiprotozoal medicines

Antiamoebic and antigiardiasis medicines

• Diloxanide ^{[note 51] [note 52]}
• Metronidazole ^{[note 53]}

Antileishmaniasis medicines

• Amphotericin B ^{[note 54]}
• Meglumine antimoniate
• Miltefosine
• Paromomycin
• Sodium stibogluconate

Antimalarial medicines

Medicines for curative treatment

• Artemether ^{[note 55]}
• Artemether/lumefantrine (artemether + lumefantrine)
• Artesunate ^{[note 55] [note 56]}
• Artesunate/amodiaquine (artesunate + amodiaquine)
• Artesunate/mefloquine (artesunate + mefloquine)
• Artesunate/pyronaridine tetraphosphate (artesunate + pyronaridine tetraphosphate)
• Artesunate + sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (Co-packaged)
• Chloroquine ^{[note 57]}
• Dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine phosphate (dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine phosphate)
• Primaquine ^{[note 58]}
• Quinine ^{[note 55]}

Medicines for chemoprevention

• Amodiaquine + sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (Co-packaged)
• Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine)

Medicines for chemoprophylaxis in travellers

• Chloroquine ^{[note 59]}
• Doxycycline ^{[note 60]}
• Mefloquine

Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis medicines

• Pyrimethamine
• Sulfadiazine
• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim)

Antitrypanosomal medicines

African trypanosomiasis

• Fexinidazole ^{[note 61]}

Medicines for the treatment of 1st stage African trypanosomiasis

• Pentamidine ^{[note 62]}
• Suramin sodium ^{[note 63]}

Medicines for the treatment of 2nd stage African trypanosomiasis

• Eflornithine ^{[note 62]}
• Nifurtimox ^{[note 64]}

Complementary:

• Melarsoprol ^α

American trypanosomiasis

• Benznidazole
• Nifurtimox

Medicines for ectoparasitic infections

• Ivermectin

Medicines for Ebola virus disease

• Ansuvimab
• Atoltivimab/maftivimab/odesivimab (atoltivimab + maftivimab + odesivimab)

Medicines for COVID-19

No listings in this section.

Medicines for cystic fibrosis

• Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (elexacaftor + tezacaftor + ivacaftor)
• Ivacaftor

Complementary:

• Pancreatic enzymes ^α

Immunomodulators and Antineoplastics

Immunomodulators for non-malignant disease

Complementary:

• Adalimumab ^{α [note 65]}
• Azathioprine ^α
• Ciclosporin ^α
• Tacrolimus ^α

Antineoplastic and supportive medicines

Cytotoxic medicines

Complementary:

• Arsenic trioxide ^α
• Asparaginase ^{α [note 66]}
• Bleomycin ^α
• Calcium folinate (leucovorin calcium) ^α
• Carboplatin ^α
• Cisplatin ^α
• Cyclophosphamide ^α
• Cytarabine ^α
• Dacarbazine ^α
• Dactinomycin ^α
• Daunorubicin ^α
• Doxorubicin ^α
• Doxorubicin (as pegylated liposomal) ^α
• Etoposide ^α
• Fluorouracil ^α
• Hydroxyurea (hydroxycarbamide) ^α
• Ifosfamide ^α
• Irinotecan ^α
• Mercaptopurine ^α
• Methotrexate ^α
• Oxaliplatin ^α
• Paclitaxel ^α
• Pegaspargase ^{α [note 66]}
• Procarbazine ^α
• Realgar-Indigo naturalis formulation ^α
• Tioguanine ^α
• Vinblastine ^α
• Vincristine ^α
• Vinorelbine ^α

Targeted therapies

Complementary:

• All-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin) (ATRA) ^α
• Dasatinib ^α
• Everolimus ^α
• Imatinib ^α
• Nilotinib ^α
• Rituximab ^{α [note 66]}

Immunomodulators

Complementary:

• Blinatumomab ^{α [note 66]}
• Filgrastim ^{α [note 66]}
• Pegfilgrastim ^{α [note 66]}

Hormones and antihormones

Complementary:

• Dexamethasone ^α
• Hydrocortisone ^α
• Methylprednisolone ^α
• Prednisolone ^{α [note 12]}

Supportive medicines

Complementary:

• Allopurinol ^α
• Mesna ^α
• Rasburicase ^α

Therapeutic foods

• Ready-to-use therapeutic food ^{[note 67]}

Medicines affecting the blood

Antianaemia medicines

• Ferrous salt
• Folic acid
• Hydroxocobalamin

Complementary:

• Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents ^{α [note 68]}

Medicines affecting coagulation

• Desmopressin
• Emicizumab
• Enoxaparin ^{[note 69]}
• Phytomenadione

Complementary:

• Heparin sodium ^α
• Protamine sulfate ^α
• Warfarin ^{[note 70]}

Medicines for haemoglobinopathies

Medicines for sickle-cell disease

• Deferasirox ^{[note 71]}

Complementary:

• Deferoxamine ^α
• Hydroxyurea (hydroxycarbamide) ^α

Medicines for thalassaemias

• Deferasirox ^{[note 71]}

Complementary:

• Deferoxamine ^α

Blood products, coagulation factors and plasma substitutes

Blood and blood components

• Cryoprecipitate, pathogen-reduced ^{[note 72]}
• Fresh frozen plasma
• Platelets
• Red blood cells
• Whole blood

Human immunoglobulins

• Anti-rabies immunoglobulin
• Anti-tetanus immunoglobulin

Complementary:

• Normal immunoglobulin ^α

Coagulation factors

• Coagulation factor VIII, plasma-derived
• Coagulation factor IX, plasma-derived
• Coagulation factor VIII, recombinant
• Coagulation factor IX, recombinant

Plasma substitutes

• Dextran 70 ^{[note 73]}

Cardiovascular medicines

Antianginal medicines

No listings in this section.

Antiarrhythmic medicines

No listings in this section.

Antihypertensive medicines

• Enalapril ^{[note 74]}

Medicines used in heart failure

• Furosemide

Complementary:

• Digoxin ^α
• Dopamine ^α

Antithrombotic medicines

No listings in this section.

Lipid-lowering agents

No listings in this section.

Fixed-dose combinations for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

No listings in this section.

Dermatological medicines

Antifungal medicines

• Miconazole ^{[note 75]}
• Selenium sulfide
• Terbinafine

Anti-infective medicines

• Mupirocin
• Potassium permanganate
• Silver sulfadiazine ^{[note 76]}

Anti-inflammatory and antipruritic medicines

• Betamethasone ^{[note 77]}
• Calamine
• Hydrocortisone

Medicines affecting skin differentiation and proliferation

• Benzoyl peroxide
• Calcipotriol ^{[note 78]}
• Coal tar
• Podophyllum resin ^{[note 79]}
• Salicylic acid
• Urea

Complementary:

• Adalimumab ^{α [note 80]}
• Methotrexate ^α
• Ustekinumab ^{α [note 66]}

Scabicides and pediculicides

• Benzyl benzoate ^{[note 81]}
• Permethrin

Moisturizers

• Urea
• Glycerol

Sunscreens, broad-spectrum

• Sunscreen, broad-spectrum

Diagnostic agents

Ophthalmic medicines

• Fluorescein
• Tropicamide ^{[note 82]}

Radiocontrast media

Complementary:

• Barium sulfate ^α

Antiseptics and disinfectants

Antiseptics

• Chlorhexidine
• Ethanol ^{[note 83]}
• Povidone iodine ^{[note 84]}

Disinfectants

• Alcohol based hand rub
• Chlorine base compound
• Chloroxylenol ^{[note 85]}
• Glutaral
• Hypochlorous acid

Diuretics

• Furosemide

Complementary:

• Hydrochlorothiazide ^{α [note 86]}
• Mannitol ^α
• Spironolactone ^α

Gastrointestinal medicines

Complementary:

• Pancreatic enzymes ^α

Antiulcer medicines

• Omeprazole ^{[note 87]}
• Ranitidine ^{[note 88]}

Antiemetic medicines

• Dexamethasone
• Metoclopramide
• Ondansetron ^{[note 9]}

Complementary:

• Aprepitant ^α

Anti-inflammatory medicines

No listings in this section.

Laxatives

No listings in this section.

Medicines used in diarrhoea

• Oral rehydration salts + zinc sulfate (Co-packaged)

Oral rehydration

• Oral rehydration salts

Medicines for diarrhoea

• Zinc sulfate ^{[note 89]}

Medicines for endocrine disorders

Adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes

• Fludrocortisone
• Hydrocortisone
• Prednisolone ^{[note 12]}

Androgens

No listings in this section.

Estrogens

No listings in this section.

Progestogens

No listings in this section.

Medicines for diabetes

Insulins

• Insulin (analogue, long-acting) ^{[note 90]}
• Insulin (analogue, rapid-acting) ^{[note 91]}
• Insulin (human, intermediate-acting) ^{[note 66]}
• Insulin (human, short-acting) ^{[note 66]}

Hypoglycaemic agents

Complementary:

• Metformin ^α

Medicines for hypoglycaemia

• Glucagon

Complementary:

• Diazoxide ^α

Thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines

• Levothyroxine

Complementary:

• Iodine + potassium iodide (Lugol's solution) ^α
• Methimazole ^{α [note 92]}
• Potassium iodide ^α
• Propylthiouracil ^{α [note 93]}

Medicines for disorders of the pituitary hormone system

No listings in this section.

Immunologicals

Diagnostic agents

• Tuberculin, purified protein derivative (PPD)

Sera, immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies

• Anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibodies ^{[note 66]}
• Antivenom immunoglobulin ^{[note 94]}
• Diphtheria antitoxin
• Equine rabies immunoglobulin

Vaccines

• BCG vaccine
• Cholera vaccine
• Dengue vaccine
• Diphtheria vaccine
• Ebola vaccine
• Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
• Hepatitis A vaccine
• Hepatitis B vaccine
• Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine
• Influenza vaccine (seasonal)
• Japanese encephalitis vaccine
• Malaria vaccine
• Measles vaccine
• Meningococcal meningitis vaccine
• Mpox vaccine
• Mumps vaccine
• Pertussis vaccine
• Pneumococcal vaccine
• Poliomyelitis vaccine
• Rabies vaccine
• Rotavirus vaccine
• Rubella vaccine
• Tetanus vaccine
• Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine
• Typhoid vaccine
• Varicella vaccine
• Yellow fever vaccine

Muscle relaxants (peripherally-acting) and cholinesterase inhibitors

• Neostigmine
• Suxamethonium
• Vecuronium ^{[note 95]}

Complementary:

• Pyridostigmine ^α

Ophthalmological preparations

Anti-infective agents

• Aciclovir
• Azithromycin
• Erythromycin
• Gentamicin ^{[note 96]}
• Natamycin
• Ofloxacin ^{[note 97]}
• Tetracycline ^{[note 98]}

Anti-inflammatory agents

• Prednisolone

Local anaesthetics

• Tetracaine ^{[note 99]}

Miotics and antiglaucoma medicines

No listings in this section.

Mydriatics

• Atropine ^{[note 100]}

Complementary:

• Epinephrine (adrenaline) ^α

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) preparations

No listings in this section.

Medicines for reproductive health and perinatal care

Contraceptives

No listings in this section.

Ovulation inducers

No listings in this section.

Uterotonics

No listings in this section.

Medicines for medical abortion

No listings in this section.

Antioxytocics (tocolytics)

No listings in this section.

Other medicines administered to the mother

No listings in this section.

Medicines administered to the neonate

• Caffeine citrate
• Chlorhexidine

Complementary:

• Alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) ^{α [note 101]}
• Beractant ^α
• Ibuprofen ^{α [note 102]}
• Poractant alfa ^α

Peritoneal dialysis solution

Complementary:

• Intraperitoneal dialysis solution (of appropriate composition in accordance with local clinical guidelines.) ^α

Medicines for mental and behavioural disorders

Medicines used in psychotic disorders

No listings in this section.

Medicines used in mood disorders

No listings in this section.

Medicines used in depressive disorders

No listings in this section.

Medicines used in bipolar disorders

No listings in this section.

Medicines for anxiety disorders

No listings in this section.

Medicines used for obsessive compulsive disorders

No listings in this section.

Medicines for disorders due to psychoactive substance use

No listings in this section.

Medicines for alcohol use disorders

No listings in this section.

Medicines for nicotine use disorders

No listings in this section.

Medicines for opioid use disorders

No listings in this section.

Medicines acting on the respiratory tract

Antiasthmatic medicines

• Budesonide ^{[note 103]}
• Epinephrine (adrenaline)
• Salbutamol (albuterol) ^{[note 104]}

Solutions correcting water, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances

Oral

• Oral rehydration salts
• Potassium chloride

Parenteral

• Glucose
• Glucose with sodium chloride
• Potassium chloride
• Sodium chloride
• Sodium hydrogen carbonate
• Sodium lactate, compound solution

Miscellaneous

• Water for injection

Vitamins and minerals

• Ascorbic acid
• Colecalciferol ^{[note 105]}
• Iodine
• Multiple micronutrient powder
• Pyridoxine
• Retinol
• Riboflavin
• Thiamine

Complementary:

• Calcium gluconate ^α

Ear, nose and throat medicines

• Acetic acid
• Budesonide
• Ciprofloxacin ^{[note 106]}
• Xylometazoline

Medicines for diseases of joints

Medicines used to treat gout

No listings in this section.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

Complementary:

• Hydroxychloroquine ^α
• Methotrexate ^α

Medicines for juvenile joint diseases

Complementary:

• Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) ^{[note 107]}
• Adalimumab ^{α [note 65]}
• Methotrexate ^α
• Triamcinolone hexacetonide ^{α [note 108]}

Dental medicines and preparations

• Fluoride
• Glass ionomer cement
• Resin-based composite (low-viscosity) ^{[note 109]}
• Resin-based composite (high-viscosity) ^{[note 110]}
• Silver diamine fluoride

Notes

1. Piped nitrous oxide is a major source of atmospheric pollution from healthcare facilities. Point-of-care cylinders are the preferred delivery system over centrally-supplied (piped) delivery systems
2. Thiopental is an alternative
3. No more than 30% oxygen should be used to initiate resuscitation of neonates less than or equal to 32 weeks of gestation.
4. Not in children less than three months.
5. Not recommended for anti‐inflammatory use due to lack of proven benefit to that effect.
6. Hydromorphone and oxycodone are alternatives
7. For the management of cancer pain
8. May be used for buccal administration when solution for oromucosal administration is not available
9. Dolasetron, granisetron, palonosetron, and tropisetron are alternatives
10. Cetirizine and fexofenadine are alternatives
11. There may be a role for sedating antihistamines for limited indications.
12. Prednisone is an alternative
13. Alternative formulations of activated charcoal may be used if granules are not available
14. For use as adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant partial or generalized seizures.
15. Diazepam (injection) and midazolam (injection) are alternatives
16. For use in eclampsia and severe pre‐eclampsia and not for other convulsant disorders
17. Valproic acid (sodium valproate) is not recommended in women and girls of childbearing potential owing to the high risk of birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders in children exposed to valproic acid (sodium valproate) in the womb
18. The presence of both 120 mg/5 mL and 125 mg/5mL strengths on the same market would cause confusion in prescribing and dispensing and should be avoided
19. Third-generation cephalosporin of choice for use in hospitalized neonates
20. Do not administer with calcium and avoid in infants with hyperbilirubinemia
21. > 41 weeks corrected gestational age
22. Only for the presumptive treatment of epidemic meningitis in children older than two years
23. > three months
24. Moxidectin is an alternative
25. Arpraziquantel is an alternative
26. For use when praziquantel treatment fails.
27. > 1 month.
28. Only for the presumptive treatment of epidemic meningitis in children older than two years.
29. Alternatives are 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (J01CF Beta-lactamase resistant penicillins)
30. Cloxacillin, dicloxacillin, and flucloxacillin are preferred for oral administration due to better bioavailability
31. Use in children <8 years only for life-threatening infections when no alternative exists.
32. Procaine benzylpenicillin is not recommended as first-line treatment for neonatal sepsis except in settings with high neonatal mortality, when given by trained health workers in cases where hospital care is not achievable.
33. Third-generation cephalosporin of choice for use in hospitalized neonates.
34. Erythromycin is an alternative.
35. Vancomycin powder for injection may also be used for oral administration
36. Imipenem/cilastatin is an alternative for complicated intraabdominal infections and high-risk febrile neutropenia only. Meropenem is the preferred choice for acute bacterial meningitis in neonates
37. For use only in combination with meropenem
38. Prothionamide is an alternative for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
39. Imipenem/cilastatin is an alternative
40. For treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, sporotrichosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, mycoses caused by T. marneffei and chromoblastomycosis; and prophylaxis of histoplasmosis and infections caused by T. marneffei in AIDS patients
41. For treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and acute invasive aspergillosis
42. Anidulafungin and caspofungin are alternatives
43. > six weeks
44. > three years
45. ≥ 4 weeks and ≥ 3 kg; ≥ 25 kg
46. For use in second-line regimens in accordance with WHO treatment guidelines
47. Severe illness due to confirmed or suspected influenza virus infection in critically ill hospitalized patients
48. For the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVr).
49. Pangenotypic when used in combination with sofosbuvir
50. Pangenotypic when used in combination with daclatasvir
51. Proposed for deletion in 2027
52. > 25 kg
53. Tinidazole is an alternative
54. Liposomal amphotericin B has a better safety profile than the sodium deoxycholate formulation and should be prioritized for selection and use depending on local availability and cost
55. For use in the management of severe malaria
56. For pre-referral treatment of severe malaria only.
57. For use only for the treatment of Plasmodium vivax infection
58. For use to reduce the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and for radical cure of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale infections
59. For use only for prophylaxis of Plasmodium vivax infection
60. > eight years
61. For the treatment of 1st and 2nd stage human African trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection
62. To be used for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection
63. To be used for the treatment of the initial phase of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection
64. Only to be used in combination with eflornithine, for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection
65. Etanercept and infliximab are alternatives, including quality-assured biosimilars
66. Including quality-assured biosimilars
67. Biscuit or paste of nutritional composition as determined by the UN joint statement on the community-based management of severe acute malnutrition and Codex alimentarius guidelines
68. Epoetin alfa, beta and theta; darbepoetin alfa; and their quality-assured biosimilars are alternatives
69. Alternatives are dalteparin and nadroparin, including their quality-assured biosimilars
70. Acenocoumarol is an alternative
71. Deferiprone is an alternative
72. Cryoprecipitate (not pathogen-reduced) is an alternative. Native cryoprecipitate should only be used in situations of life-threatening haemorrhage when pathogen-reduced cryoprecipitate is not available
73. Polygeline, injectable solution, 3.5% is an alternative
74. Alternatives are 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C09AA ACE inhibitors, plain)
75. Alternatives are 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (D01AC Imidazole and triazole derivatives) excluding combinations
76. > two months
77. Alternatives are 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (D07AC Corticosteroids, potent (group III))
78. Calcitriol and tacalcitol are alternatives
79. Podophyllotoxin is an alternative
80. Certolizumab pegol, etanercept, and infliximab, including quality-assured biosimilars, are alternatives
81. Precipitated sulfur topical ointment is an alternative
82. Atropine and cyclopentolate are alternatives
83. Propanol is an alternative
84. Iodine is an alternative
85. Alternatives are 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (D08AE Phenol and derivatives)
86. Chlorothiazide and chlorthalidone are alternatives
87. Alternatives are 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (A02BC Proton pump inhibitors) excluding combinations
88. Alternatives are 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (A02BA H2-receptor antagonists) excluding combinations
89. In acute diarrhoea zinc sulfate should be used as an adjunct to oral rehydration salts
90. Insulin glargine, Insulin degludec, and insulin detemir, including quality-assured biosimilars, are alternatives
91. Insulin lispro, Insulin aspart, and insulin glulisine, including quality-assured biosimilars, are alternatives
92. Carbimazole is an alternative depending on local availability
93. For use when alternative first-line treatment is not appropriate or available
94. Exact type to be defined locally.
95. Atracurium is an alternative
96. Amikacin, kanamycin, netilmicin, and tobramycin are alternatives
97. Alternatives are 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (S01AE Fluoroquinolones)
98. Chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline are alternatives
99. Alternatives are 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (S01HA Local anaesthetics) excluding cocaine and combinations
100. Cyclopentolate hydrochloride or homatropine hydrobromide are alternatives only for the EMLc
101. dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2) is an alternative
102. Indometacin is an alternative
103. Beclometasone, ciclesonide, fluticasone, and mometasone are alternatives
104. Terbutaline is an alternative
105. Ergocalciferol is an alternative
106. Ofloxacin is an alternative
107. For use for rheumatic fever, juvenile arthritis, Kawasaki disease
108. Triamcinolone acetonide is an alternative
109. Of any type for use as dental sealant
110. Of any type for use as dental filling material

References

1. "WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
2. "Essential medicines". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
3. The selection and use of essential medicines: report of the WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines, 2021 (including the 22nd WHO model list of essential medicines and the 8th WHO model list of essential medicines for children). Geneva: World Health Organization. 2021. hdl: 10665/351172 . ISBN   978-92-4-004114-1. WHO technical report series;1035. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
4. World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 7th list 2019. Geneva. 2019. hdl: 10665/325772 . WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.07. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
5. Executive summary: the selection and use of essential medicines 2019: report of the 22nd WHO Expert Committee on the selection and use of essential medicines. Geneva. 2019. hdl: 10665/325773 . WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.05. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
6. World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 8th list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. 2021. hdl: 10665/345534 . WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.03.
7. The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex B: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 9th list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization. 2023. hdl: 10665/371091 . WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.03.
8. The selection and use of essential medicines 2025: report of the 25th WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines: executive summary. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2025. doi: 10.2471/B09544 . hdl: 10665/382350 . License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
9. The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children,10th list. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2025. doi: 10.2471/B09475 . hdl: 10665/382242 . License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Further reading

• The selection and use of essential medicines. Twentieth report of the WHO Expert Committee 2015 (including 19th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and 5th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children). Geneva: World Health Organization. 2015. hdl: 10665/189763 . ISBN   978-92-4-069494-1. ISSN   0512-3054. WHO technical report series; no. 994.
• The selection and use of essential medicines: report of the WHO Expert Committee, 2017 (including the 20th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and the 6th Model List of Essential Medicines for Children). Geneva: World Health Organization. 2017. hdl: 10665/259481 . ISBN   978-92-4-121015-7. ISSN   0512-3054. WHO technical report series; no. 1006.
• The selection and use of essential medicines: report of the WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines, 2019 (including the 21st WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and the 7th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children). Geneva: World Health Organization. 2019. hdl: 10665/330668 . ISBN   978-92-4-121030-0. ISSN   0512-3054. WHO technical report series;1021.

External links

eEML - Electronic Essential Medicines List