Essential Medicines

The **WHO Model List of Essential Medicines** (**EML**), published by the World Health Organization (WHO), contains the medications considered to be most effective and safe to meet the most important needs in a health system. The list is frequently used by countries to help develop their own local lists of essential medicine. As of 2016[update], more than 155 countries have created national lists of essential medicines based on the World Health Organization's model list. This includes countries in both the developed and developing world.

The list is divided into core items and complementary items. 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. The complementary items either require additional infrastructure such as specially trained health care providers or diagnostic equipment or have a lower cost–benefit ratio. About 25% of items are in the complementary list. Some medications are listed as both core and complementary. While most medications on the list are available as generic products, being under patent does not preclude inclusion.

The first list was published in 1977 and included 212 medications. The WHO updates the list every two years. The 14th list was published in 2005 and contained 306 medications. In 2015, the 19th edition of the list was published and contains around 410 medications. The 20th edition was published in 2017, and contains 433 medications. The 21st list was published in 2019. The national lists contain between 334 and 580 medications.

A separate list for children up to 12 years of age, known as the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc), was created in 2007 and is in its 7th edition. It was created to make sure that the needs of children were systematically considered such as availability of proper formulations. Everything in the children's list is also included in the main list. The list and notes are based on the 19th to 21st edition of the main list. An α indicates a medicine is only on the complementary list.

## Anaesthetics

### General anaesthetics and oxygen

#### Inhalational medicines

* Halothane
* Isoflurane
* Nitrous oxide
* Oxygen

#### Injectable medicines

* Ketamine
* Propofol

### Local anaesthetics

* Bupivacaine
* Lidocaine
* Lidocaine/epinephrine
* Ephedrine (not a local anaesthetic, included in this list for prevention of low blood pressure associated with spinal anaesthesia during caesarean section)

### Preoperative medication and sedation for short-term procedures

* Atropine
* Midazolam
* Morphine

## Medicines for pain and palliative care

### Nonopioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

* Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
* Ibuprofen
* Paracetamol (acetaminophen)

### Opioid analgesics

* Codeine
* Fentanyl
* Morphine
* Methadone

### Medicines for other common symptoms in palliative care

* Amitriptyline
* Cyclizine
* Dexamethasone
* Diazepam
* Docusate sodium
* Fluoxetine
* Haloperidol
* Hyoscine butylbromide
* Hyoscine hydrobromide
* Lactulose
* Loperamide
* Metoclopramide
* Midazolam
* Ondansetron
* Senna

## Antiallergics and medicines used in anaphylaxis

* Dexamethasone
* Epinephrine (adrenaline)
* Hydrocortisone
* Loratadine
* Prednisolone

## Antidotes and other substances used in poisonings

### Specific

* Acetylcysteine
* Atropine
* Calcium gluconate
* Methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue)
* Naloxone
* Penicillamine
* Prussian blue
* Sodium nitrite
* Sodium thiosulfate
* Deferoxamine
* Dimercaprol
* Fomepizole
* Sodium calcium edetate
* Succimer

## Anticonvulsive medication

* Carbamazepine
* Diazepam
* Lamotrigine
* Lorazepam
* Magnesium sulfate
* Midazolam
* Phenobarbital
* Phenytoin
* Valproic acid (sodium valproate)
* Ethosuximide

## Anti-infective medicines

### Anthelminthics

#### Intestinal anthelminthics

* Albendazole
* Ivermectin
* Levamisole
* Mebendazole
* Niclosamide
* Praziquantel
* Pyrantel

#### Antifilarials

* Albendazole
* Diethylcarbamazine
* Ivermectin

#### Antischistosomals and other antinematode medicines

* Praziquantel
* Triclabendazole
* Oxamniquine

### Antibiotics

#### Access group

* Amikacin
* Amoxicillin
* Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)
* Ampicillin
* Benzathine benzylpenicillin
* Benzylpenicillin
* Cefalexin
* Cefazolin
* Chloramphenicol
* Clindamycin
* Cloxacillin
* Doxycycline
* Gentamicin
* Metronidazole
* Nitrofurantoin
* Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
* Procaine benzylpenicillin
* Spectinomycin
* Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole

#### Watch group

* Azithromycin
* Cefixime
* Cefotaxime
* Ceftriaxone
* Cefuroxime
* Ciprofloxacin
* Clarithromycin
* Piperacillin/tazobactam
* Vancomycin
* Ceftazidime
* Meropenem
* Vancomycin

#### Reserve group

* Ceftazidime/avibactam
* Colistin
* Fosfomycin
* Linezolid
* Meropenem/vaborbactam
* Plazomicin
* Polymyxin B

#### Antileprosy medicines

* Clofazimine
* Dapsone
* Rifampicin

#### Antituberculosis medicines

* Ethambutol
* Ethambutol/isoniazid/pyrazinamide/rifampicin (ethambutol + isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin)
* Ethambutol/isoniazid/rifampicin (ethambutol + isoniazid + rifampicin)
* Isoniazid
* Isoniazid/pyrazinamide/rifampicin (isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin)
* Isoniazid/rifampicin (isoniazid + rifampicin)
* Pyrazinamide
* Rifabutin
* Rifampicin
* Rifapentine
* Amikacin
* Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid
* Bedaquiline
* Clofazimine
* Cycloserine
* Delamanid
* Ethionamide
* Levofloxacin
* Linezolid
* Meropenem
* Moxifloxacin
* p-aminosalicylic acid
* Streptomycin

### Antifungal medicines

* Amphotericin B
* Clotrimazole
* Fluconazole
* Flucytosine
* Griseofulvin
* Itraconazole
* Nystatin
* Voriconazole
* Potassium iodide

### Antiviral medicines

#### Antiretrovirals

##### Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors

* Abacavir (ABC)
* Lamivudine (3TC)
* Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)
* Zidovudine (ZDV or AZT)

##### Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

* Efavirenz (EGV or EFZ)
* Nevirapine (NVP)

##### Protease inhibitors

* Atazanavir
* Atazanavir/ritonavir
* Darunavir
* Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)
* Ritonavir

##### Integrase inhibitors

* Dolutegravir
* Raltegravir

##### Fixed-dose combinations

* Abacavir/lamivudine
* Dolutegravir/lamivudine/tenofovir (dolutegravir + lamivudine + tenofovir)
* Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir
* Efavirenz/lamivudine/tenofovir
* Emtricitabine/tenofovir
* Lamivudine/nevirapine/zidovudine
* Lamivudine/zidovudine

##### Medicines for prevention of HIV-related opportunistic infections

* Isoniazid/pyridoxine/sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim

##### Other antivirals

* Ribavirin
* Valganciclovir
* Oseltamivir

#### Antihepatitis medicines

##### Medicines for hepatitis B

Nucleoside/Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors

* Entecavir
* Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)

##### Medicines for hepatitis C

Pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals

* Daclatasvir
* Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir
* Sofosbuvir
* Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir

Non-pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals

* Dasabuvir
* Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir
* Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir

Other antivirals for hepatitis C

* Ribavirin
* Pegylated interferon-alpha-2a or pegylated interferon-alpha-2b

### Antiprotozoal medicines

#### Antiamoebic and antigiardiasis medicines

* Diloxanide
* Metronidazole

#### Antileishmaniasis medicines

* Amphotericin B
* Miltefosine
* Paromomycin
* Sodium stibogluconate or meglumine antimoniate

#### Antimalarial medicines

##### For curative treatment

* Amodiaquine
* Artemether
* Artemether/lumefantrine
* Artesunate
* Artesunate/amodiaquine
* Artesunate/mefloquine
* Artesunate/pyronaridine
* Chloroquine
* Dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine
* Doxycycline
* Mefloquine
* Primaquine
* Quinine
* Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine

##### For prevention

* Amodiaquine + sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine
* Chloroquine
* Doxycycline
* Mefloquine
* Proguanil
* Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine

#### Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis medicines

* Pyrimethamine
* Sulfadiazine
* Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
* Pentamidine

#### Antitrypanosomal medicines

###### 1st stage

* Pentamidine
* Suramin sodium

###### 2nd stage

* Eflornithine
* Melarsoprol
* Nifurtimox

##### American trypanosomiasis

* Benznidazole
* Nifurtimox

## Antimigraine medicines

### Acute attack

* Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
* Ibuprofen
* Paracetamol (acetaminophen)

## Immunomodulators and antineoplastics

### Immunomodulators for non-malignant disease

* Adalimumab
* Azathioprine
* Ciclosporin

### Antineoplastics and supportive medicines

#### Cytotoxic medicines

* Arsenic trioxide
* Asparaginase
* Bendamustine
* Bleomycin
* Calcium folinate
* Capecitabine
* Carboplatin
* Chlorambucil
* Cisplatin
* Cyclophosphamide
* Cytarabine
* Dacarbazine
* Dactinomycin
* Daunorubicin
* Docetaxel
* Doxorubicin
* Etoposide
* Fludarabine
* Fluorouracil
* Gemcitabine
* Hydroxycarbamide
* Ifosfamide
* Irinotecan
* Melphalan
* Mercaptopurine
* Methotrexate
* Oxaliplatin
* Paclitaxel
* Pegaspargase
* Procarbazine
* Realgar *Indigo naturalis* formulation
* Tioguanine
* Vinblastine
* Vincristine
* Vinorelbine

#### Targeted therapies

* All-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin) (ATRA)
* Bortezomib
* Dasatinib
* Erlotinib
* Imatinib
* Nilotinib
* Rituximab
* Trastuzumab

#### Immunomodulators

* Filgrastim
* Lenalidomide
* Nivolumab
* Thalidomide

#### Hormones and antihormones

* Abiraterone
* Anastrozole
* Bicalutamide
* Dexamethasone
* Hydrocortisone
* Leuprorelin
* Methylprednisolone
* Prednisolone
* Tamoxifen

#### Supportive medicines

* Allopurinol
* Mesna
* Zoledronic acid

## Antiparkinsonism medicines

* Biperiden
* Carbidopa/levodopa (levodopa + carbidopa)

## Medicines affecting the blood

### Antianaemia medicines

* Ferrous salt
* Ferrous salt/folic acid
* Folic acid
* Hydroxocobalamin
* Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents

### Medicines affecting coagulation

* Dabigatran
* Enoxaparin
* Heparin sodium
* Phytomenadione
* Protamine sulfate
* Tranexamic acid
* Warfarin
* Desmopressin

### Other medicines for haemoglobinopathies

* Deferoxamine
* Hydroxycarbamide

## Blood products and plasma substitutes of human origin

### Blood and blood components

* Fresh frozen plasma
* Platelet concentrates
* Packed red blood cells
* Whole blood

### Plasma-derived medicines

#### Human immunoglobulins

* Rho(D) immune globulin (anti-D immunoglobulin)
* Anti-rabies immunoglobulin
* Anti-tetanus immunoglobulin
* Human normal immunoglobulin

#### Blood coagulation factors

* Coagulation factor VIII
* Coagulation factor IX

## Cardiovascular medicines

### Antianginal medicines

* Bisoprolol
* Glyceryl trinitrate
* Isosorbide dinitrate
* Verapamil

### Antiarrhythmic medicines

* Bisoprolol
* Digoxin
* Epinephrine (adrenaline)
* Lidocaine
* Verapamil
* Amiodarone

### Antihypertensive medicines

* Amlodipine
* Bisoprolol
* Enalapril
* Hydralazine
* Hydrochlorothiazide
* Lisinopril/amlodipine (lisinopril + amlodipine)
* Lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide
* Losartan
* Methyldopa
* Telmisartan/amlodipine (telmisartan + amlodipine)
* Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide
* Sodium nitroprusside

### Medicines used in heart failure

* Bisoprolol
* Digoxin
* Enalapril
* Furosemide
* Hydrochlorothiazide
* Losartan
* Spironolactone
* Dopamine

### Antithrombotic medicines

#### Anti-platelet medicines

* Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
* Clopidogrel

#### Thrombolytic medicines

* Alteplase
* Streptokinase

## Dermatological (topical)

### Antifungal medicines

* Miconazole
* Selenium sulfide
* Sodium thiosulfate
* Terbinafine

### Anti-infective medicines

* Mupirocin
* Potassium permanganate
* Silver sulfadiazine

### Anti-inflammatory and antipruritic medicines

* Betamethasone
* Calamine
* Hydrocortisone

### Medicines affecting skin differentiation and proliferation

* Benzoyl peroxide
* Coal tar
* Fluorouracil
* Podophyllum resin
* Salicylic acid
* Urea

### Scabicides and pediculicides

* Benzyl benzoate
* Permethrin

## Diagnostic agents

### Ophthalmic medicines

* Fluorescein
* Tropicamide

### Radiocontrast media

* Amidotrizoate
* Barium sulfate
* Iohexol
* Meglumine iotroxate

## Disinfectants and antiseptics

### Antiseptics

* Chlorhexidine
* Ethanol
* Povidone iodine

### Disinfectants

* Alcohol based hand rub
* Chlorine base compound
* Chloroxylenol
* Glutaral

## Diuretics

* Amiloride
* Furosemide
* Hydrochlorothiazide
* Mannitol
* Spironolactone

### Antiulcer medicines

* Omeprazole
* Ranitidine

### Antiemetic medicines

* Dexamethasone
* Metoclopramide
* Ondansetron
* Aprepitant

### Anti-inflammatory medicines

* Sulfasalazine
* Hydrocortisone

### Medicines used in diarrhoea

* Co-packaged Oral rehydration salts/zinc sulfate

## Medicines for endocrine disorders

### Adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes

* Fludrocortisone
* Hydrocortisone

### Medicines for diabetes

#### Insulins

* Insulin injection (soluble)
* Intermediate-acting insulin

#### Oral hypoglycaemic agents

* Gliclazide
* Metformin

#### Medicines for hypoglycaemia

* Glucagon
* Diazoxide

### Thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines

* Levothyroxine
* Potassium iodide
* Methimazole
* Propylthiouracil
* Lugol's solution

## Immunologicals

### Diagnostic agents

* Tuberculin, purified protein derivative (PPD)

### Sera and immunoglobulins

* Antivenom immunoglobulin
* Diphtheria antitoxin

### Vaccines

* BCG vaccine
* Cholera vaccine
* Dengue vaccine
* Diphtheria vaccine
* Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
* Hepatitis A vaccine
* Hepatitis B vaccine
* HPV vaccine
* Influenza vaccine
* Japanese encephalitis vaccine
* Measles vaccine
* Meningococcal meningitis 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

* Atracurium
* Neostigmine
* Suxamethonium
* Vecuronium
* Pyridostigmine

## Eye preparations

### Anti-infective agents

* Aciclovir
* Azithromycin
* Erythromycin
* Gentamicin
* Natamycin
* Ofloxacin
* Tetracycline

### Miotics and antiglaucoma medicines

* Acetazolamide
* Latanoprost
* Pilocarpine
* Timolol

### Mydriatics

* Atropine
* Epinephrine (adrenaline)

## Medicines for reproductive health and perinatal care

### Contraceptives

#### Oral hormonal contraceptives

* Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel
* Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone
* Levonorgestrel
* Ulipristal

#### Injectable hormonal contraceptives

* Estradiol cypionate/medroxyprogesterone acetate
* Medroxyprogesterone acetate
* Norethisterone enantate

#### Intrauterine devices

* IUD with copper
* IUD with progestogen

#### Barrier methods

* Condoms
* Diaphragms

#### Implantable contraceptives

* Etonogestrel-releasing implant
* Levonorgestrel-releasing implant

### Uterotonics

* Carbetocin
* Ergometrine
* Mifepristone used with misoprostol
* Misoprostol
* Oxytocin

### Medicines administered to the mother

* Dexamethasone
* Tranexamic acid

### Medicines administered to the neonate

* Caffeine citrate
* Chlorhexidine
* Ibuprofen
* Prostaglandin E
	+ Prostaglandin E1
	+ Prostaglandin E2
* Surfactant

## Peritoneal dialysis solution

* Intraperitoneal dialysis solution (of appropriate composition)

## Medicines for mental and behavioural disorders

### Medicines used in psychotic disorders

* Chlorpromazine
* Fluphenazine
* Haloperidol
* Risperidone
* Clozapine

### Medicines used in mood disorders

#### Medicines used in depressive disorders

* Amitriptyline
* Fluoxetine

#### Medicines used in bipolar disorders

* Carbamazepine
* Lithium carbonate
* Valproic acid (sodium valproate)

### Medicines for disorders due to psychoactive substance use

* Nicotine replacement therapy
* Methadone

## Medicines acting on the respiratory tract

### Antiasthmatics and medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

* Beclometasone
* Budesonide
* Budesonide/formoterol
* Epinephrine (adrenaline)
* Ipratropium bromide
* Salbutamol (albuterol)
* Tiotropium

## 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

## Vitamins and minerals

* Ascorbic acid
* Calcium
* Cholecalciferol
* Ergocalciferol
* Iodine
* Multiple micronutrient powder
* Nicotinamide
* Pyridoxine
* Retinol
* Riboflavin
* Sodium fluoride
* Thiamine
* Calcium gluconate

## Ear, nose and throat medicines

* Acetic acid
* Budesonide
* Ciprofloxacin
* Xylometazoline

## Medicines for diseases of joints

### Disease-modifying agents used in rheumatoid disorders

* Chloroquine
* Azathioprine
* Hydroxychloroquine
* Methotrexate
* Penicillamine
* Sulfasalazine

## Notes

An **α** indicates the medicine is only on the complementary list. For these items specialized diagnostic or monitoring or specialist training are needed. An item may also be listed as complementary on the basis of higher costs or a less attractive cost-benefit ratio.

1. ↑ Thiopental may be used as an alternative depending on local availability and cost.
2. ↑ No more than 30% oxygen should be used to initiate resuscitation of neonates less than or equal to 32 weeks of gestation.
3. ↑ Not recommended for anti‐inflammatory use due to lack of proven benefit to that effect
4. ↑ For the management of cancer pain
5. ↑ Alternatives limited to hydromorphone and oxycodone
6. ↑ For the management of cancer pain
7. ↑ There may be a role for sedating antihistamines for limited indications (EMLc).
8. ↑ as adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant partial or generalized seizures.
9. ↑ For use in eclampsia and severe pre‐eclampsia and not for other convulsant disorders
10. ↑ Oxamniquine is listed for use when praziquantel treatment fails.
11. ↑ For surgical prophylaxis
12. ↑ cloxacillin, dicloxacillin and flucloxacillin are preferred for oral administration due to better bioavailability.
13. ↑ 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.
14. ↑ single agent trimethoprim may be an alternative for lower urinary tract infection.
15. ↑ Also listed for single-dose treatment of trachoma and yaws.
16. ↑ Only listed for acute invasive bacterial diarrhoea (dysentery) or gonorrhoea
17. ↑ Third-generation cephalosporin of choice for use in hospitalized neonates
18. ↑ Do not administer with calcium and avoid in infants with hyperbilirubinemia.
19. ↑ Erythromycin may be an alternative. For use in combination regimens for eradication of *H. pylori* in adults
20. ↑ Imipenem/cilastatin is an alternative, except for acute bacterial meningitis, where meropenem is preferred
21. ↑ Powder for injection:250 mg (as hydrochloride) in vial.
22. ↑ For use only in patients with HIV receiving protease inhibitors
23. ↑ For treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) only
24. ↑ For use only in combination with meropenem or imipenem/cilastatin
25. ↑ Terizidone may be an alternative
26. ↑ Prothionamide may be an alternative
27. ↑ Ofloxacin and moxifloxacin may be alternatives based on availability and programme considerations.
28. ↑ Imipenem/cilastatin may be an alternative
29. ↑ For treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, sporotrichosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, mycoses caused by *Talaromyces marneffei* and chromoblastomycosis; and prophylaxis of histoplasmosis and infections caused by *T. marneffei* in AIDS patients
30. ↑ For treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and acute invasive aspergillosis
31. ↑ For use in pregnant women and in second-line regimens in accordance with WHO treatemnt guidelines.
32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Emtricitabine (FTC) is an acceptable alternative to 3TC, based on knowledge of the pharmacology, the resistance patterns and clinical trials of antiretrovirals.
33. ↑ Combination also indicated for pre-exposure prophylaxis
34. ↑ For the treatment of viral haemorrhagic fevers
35. ↑ For the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVr).
36. ↑ For severe illness due to confirmed or suspected influenza virus infection in critically ill hospitalized patients
37. ↑ When used in combination with sofosbuvir
38. ↑ When used in combination with daclatasvir
39. ↑ For the treatment of hepatitis C, in combination with direct acting anti-viral medicines
40. ↑ To be used in combination with ribavirin
41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 To be used in combination with artesunate 50 mg
42. ↑ For use in the management of severe malaria
43. ↑ Not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy or in children below 5 kg
44. ↑ To be used in combination with either amodiaquine, mefloquine or sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine
45. ↑ Other combinations that deliver the target doses required such as 153 mg or 200 mg (as hydrochloride) with 50 mg artesunate can be alternatives.
46. ↑ For use only for the treatment of *P. vivax* infection
47. ↑ For use only in combination with quinine
48. ↑ Only for use to achieve radical cure of *P. vivax* and *P. ovale* infections, given for 14 days
49. ↑ For use only in the management of severe malaria, and should be used in combination with doxycycline
50. ↑ Only in combination with artesunate 50 mg
51. ↑ For use only in Central American regions, for *P. vivax* infections
52. ↑ For use only in combination with chloroquine
53. ↑ For the treatment of 1st and 2nd stage human African trypanosomiasis due to *Trypanosoma brucei gambiense* infection
54. ↑ To be used for the treatment of *Trypanosoma brucei gambiense* infection
55. ↑ To be used for the treatment of the initial phase of *Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense* infection
56. ↑ To be used for the treatment of *T. b. gambiense* infection
57. ↑ Only to be used in combination with eflornithine, for the treatment of *T. b. gambiense* infection
58. ↑ Certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab are alternatives, including quality-assured biosimilars
59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 Including quality-assured biosimilars
60. ↑ Gefitinib and afatinib are alternatives
61. ↑ Pembrolizumab is an alternative
62. ↑ Apixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban are alternatives
63. ↑ Alternatives are limited to nadroparin and dalteparin
64. ↑ Deferasirox oral form may be an alternative, depending on cost and availability.
65. ↑ Polygeline, injectable solution, 3.5% is considered as equivalent.
66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 66.2 Includes metoprolol and carvedilol as alternatives
67. ↑ Includes atenolol, metoprolol and carvedilol as alternatives. Atenolol should not be used as a first-line agent in uncomplicated hypertension in patients >60 years
68. ↑ Hydralazine is listed for use in the acute management of severe pregnancy‐induced hypertension only. Its use in the treatment of essential hypertension is not recommended in view of the availability of more evidence of efficacy and safety of other medicines.
69. ↑ Methyldopa is listed for use in the management of pregnancy‐induced hypertension only. Its use in the treatment of essential hypertension is not recommended in view of the availability of more evidence of efficacy and safety of other medicines.
70. ↑ For use in high‐risk patients
71. ↑ In acute diarrhoea, zinc sulfate should be used as an adjunct to oral rehydration salts
72. ↑ Glibenclamide not suitable above 60 years
73. ↑ Carbimazole is an alternative depending on local availability
74. ↑ For use when alternative first-line treatment is not appropriate or available
75. ↑ Exact type to be defined locally
76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 76.2 76.3 76.4 76.5 Recommended for some high-risk populations
77. ↑ 77.0 77.1 77.2 Recommended only for immunization programmes with certain characteristics
78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 78.2 Recommended for certain regions
79. ↑ For infections due to *Chlamydia trachomatis* or *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*
80. ↑ Or homatropine (hydrobromide) or cyclopentolate (hydrochloride)
81. ↑ For use in women actively breastfeeding at least 4 times per day
82. ↑ Where permitted under national law and where culturally acceptable
83. ↑ For induction of labour, should only be used where appropriate facilities are available
84. ↑ Buprenorphine considered to have similar clinical performance and best evidence for effectiveness and safety
85. ↑ Ergocalciferol can be used as an alternative.
86. ↑ For use for rheumatic fever, juvenile arthritis, Kawasaki disease

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Essential medicines". http://www.who.int/medicines/services/essmedicines\_def/en/. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
2. ↑ "The WHO Essential Medicines List (EML): 30th anniversary". World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/medicines/events/fs/en/. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
3. ↑ "Comparison of essential medicines lists in 137 countries". *Bull. World Health Organ.* **97** (6): 394–404C. June 2019. . . . . //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6560372/.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "19th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines". World Health Organization. April 2015. p. Annex 1. http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/EML2015\_8-May-15.pdf. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bansal, D; Purohit, VK (January 2013). "Accessibility and use of essential medicines in health care: Current progress and challenges in India.". *Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics* **4** (1): 13–18. . . . //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3643337/.
6. ↑ "The Selection and Use of Essential Medicines - WHO Technical Report Series, No. 920: 5. Reviews of sections of the Model List: 5.2 Review of core versus complementary listing of medicines". 2003. http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js4881e/5.2.html. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
7. ↑ Beall, Reed (2016). "Patents and the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (18th Edition): Clarifying the Debate on IP and Access". http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/mdocs/en/wipo\_gc\_ip\_ge\_16/wipo\_gc\_ip\_ge\_16\_brief.pdf. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
8. ↑ Wirtz, VJ; Hogerzeil, HV; Gray, AL; Bigdeli, M; de Joncheere, CP et al. (28 January 2017). "Essential medicines for universal health coverage". *The Lancet* **389** (10067): 403–476. . .
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines". http://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/en/. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
10. ↑ Prakash, B; Nadig, P; Nayak, A (2016). "Rational Prescription for a Dermatologist.". *Indian Journal of Dermatology* **61** (1): 32–38. . . . //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4763692/.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1  *WHO model list of essential medicines, 20th list (March 2017, amended August 2017)*. Geneva. 2017.
12. ↑ "Essential Medicines List and WHO Model Formulary". http://www.who.int/selection\_medicines/list/en/. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3  *World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019*. Geneva. 2019. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
14. ↑  *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. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.05. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
15. ↑  *World Health Organization model list of essential medicines for children: 7th list 2019*. Geneva. 2019. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.07. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
16. ↑ Rose, K; Anker, JNVd (2010). *Guide to Paediatric Drug Development and Clinical Research*. Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers. p. 42. . https://books.google.ca/books?id=o8bDJPHqGeYC&pg=PA42.
17. ↑ Seyberth, HW; Rane, A; Schwab, M (2011). *Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology*. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 358. . https://books.google.ca/books?id=jM1gob3MeVYC&pg=PA358.
18. ↑ Kalle, H (9 February 2017). "Essential Medicines for Children". *Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics* **101** (6): 718–720. . .