The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines is a list of essential medicines created by the World Health Organization (WHO). The list was first published in 1977, and included 204 pharmaceuticals. The list is updated every two years. Since 2007, a separate list for children up to 12 years (WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children) has been released. The 18th edition for adults and the fourth edition for children were released in April 2013. More than 130 countries have created national essential medicines lists based on the WHO's model list. These lists contain between 334 and 580 medications.
The following list is based on the 18th edition (with amendments from October 2013).
Anaesthetics
General anaesthetics and oxygen
Inhalational medicines
- Halothane
- Isoflurane
- Nitrous oxide
- Oxygen
Injectable medicines
- Ketamine
- Propofol
Local anaesthetics
- Bupivacaine
- Lidocaine
- Lidocaine + epinephrine
- Ephedrineâ€
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
- Morphine
Medicines for other common symptoms in palliative care
- Amitriptyline
- 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
Nonspecific
- Charcoal, activated
Specific
- Acetylcysteine
- Atropine
- Calcium gluconate
- Methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue)
- Naloxone
- Penicillamine
- Potassium ferric hexacyanoferrate(II) †2H2O (Prussian blue)
- Sodium nitrite
- Sodium thiosulfate
- Deferoxamineâ€
- Dimercaprolâ€
- Fomepizoleâ€
- Sodium calcium edetateâ€
- Succimerâ€
Anticonvulsants/antiepileptics
- Carbamazepine
- Diazepam
- Lorazepam
- Magnesium sulfate
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Valproic acid (sodium valproate)
- Ethosuximideâ€
Anti-infective medicines
Antihelminthics
Intestinal antihelminthics
- Albendazole
- Levamisole
- Mebendazole
- Niclosamide
- Praziquantel
- Pyrantel
Antifilarials
- Albendazole
- Diethylcarbamazine
- Ivermectin
Antischistosomals and other antinematode medicines
- Praziquantel
- Triclabendazole
- Oxamniquineâ€
Antibacterials
Beta Lactam medicines
- Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)
- Ampicillin
- Benzathine benzylpenicillin
- Benzylpenicillin
- Cefalexin
- Cefazolin
- Cefixime
- Ceftriaxone
- Cloxacillin
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin
- Procaine benzylpenicillin
- Cefotaximeâ€
- Ceftazidimeâ€
- Imipenem/cilastatin (Imipenem + cilastatin)â€
Other antibacterials
- Azithromycin
- Chloramphenicol
- Ciprofloxacin
- Clarithromycin
- Doxycycline
- Erythromycin
- Gentamicin
- Metronidazole
- Nitrofurantoin
- Spectinomycin
- Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim
- Silver sulfadiazine
- Trimethoprim
- Clindamycinâ€
- Vancomycinâ€
Antileprosy medicines
- Clofazimine
- Dapsone
- Rifampicin
Antituberculosis medicines
- Ethambutol
- Ethambutol + isoniazid
- Ethambutol + isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin
- Ethambutol + isoniazid + rifampicin
- Isoniazid
- Isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin
- Isoniazid + rifampicin
- Pyrazinamide
- Rifabutin
- Rifampicin
- Streptomycin
- Amikacinâ€
- Capreomycinâ€
- Cycloserineâ€
- Ethionamideâ€
- Kanamycinâ€
- Levofloxacinâ€
- p-aminosalicylic acidâ€
Antifungal medicines
- Amphotericin B
- Clotrimazole
- Fluconazole
- Flucytosine
- Griseofulvin
- Nystatin
- Potassium iodideâ€
Antiherpes medicines
- Aciclovir
Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- Abacavir (ABC)
- Didanosine (ddI)
- Emtricitabine (FTC)
- Lamivudine (3TC)
- Stavudine (d4T)
- Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)
- Zidovudine (ZDV or AZT)
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- Efavirenz (EGV or EFZ)
- Nevirapine (NVP)
Protease inhibitors
- Atazanavir
- Indinavir (IDV)
- Lopinavir + ritonavir (LPV/r)
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir (SQV)
Fixed-dose combinations
- Efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir
- Emtricitabine + tenofovir
- Lamivudine + nevirapine + stavudine
- Lamivudine + nevirapine + zidovudine
- Lamivudine + Zidovudine
- Oseltamivir
- Ribavirin
- Pegylated interferon alpha (2a or 2b)â€
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
- Chloroquine
- Doxycycline
- Mefloquine
- Primaquine
- Quinine
- Sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine
For prophylaxis
- Chloroquine
- Doxycycline
- Mefloquine
- Proguanil
Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis medicines
- Pyrimethamine
- Sulfadiazine
- Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim
- Pentamidineâ€
Antitrypanosomal medicines
African trypanosomiasis
Medicines for the treatment of 1st stage African trypanosomiasis
- Pentamidine
- Suramin sodium
Medicines for the treatment of second stage African trypanosomiasis
- Eflornithine
- Melarsoprol
- Nifurtimox
American trypanosomiasis
- Benznidazole
- Nifurtimox
Antimigraine medicines
Acute attack
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Ibuprofen
- Paracetamol
Prevention
- Propranolol
Antineoplastic and immunosuppressives
Immunosuppressive medicines
- Azathioprineâ€
- Ciclosporinâ€
Cytotoxic and adjuvant medicines
- Allopurinolâ€
- Asparaginaseâ€
- Bleomycinâ€
- Calcium folinateâ€
- Carboplatinâ€
- Chlorambucilâ€
- Cyclophosphamideâ€
- Cytarabineâ€
- Dacarbazineâ€
- Dactinomycinâ€
- Daunorubicinâ€
- Docetaxelâ€
- Doxorubicinâ€
- Etoposideâ€
- Fluorouracilâ€
- Hydroxycarbamideâ€
- Ifosfamideâ€
- Mercaptopurineâ€
- Mesnaâ€
- Methotrexateâ€
- Paclitaxelâ€
- Procarbazineâ€
- Thioguanineâ€
- Vinblastineâ€
- Vincristineâ€
Hormones and antihormones
- Dexamethasoneâ€
- Hydrocortisoneâ€
- Methylprednisoloneâ€
- Prednisoloneâ€
- Tamoxifenâ€
Antiparkinsonism medicines
- Biperiden
- Levodopa + carbidopa
Medicines affecting the blood
Antianaemia medicines
- Ferrous salt
- Ferrous salt + folic acid
- Folic acid
- Hydroxocobalamin
Medicines affecting coagulation
- Heparin sodium
- Phytomenadione
- Protamine sulfate
- Warfarin
Other medicines for haemoglobinopathies
- Deferoxamineâ€
- Hydroxycarbamideâ€
Blood products and plasma substitutes of human origin
Blood and blood components
- Fresh frozen plasma
- Platelet concentrates
- Red blood cells
- Whole blood
Plasma-derived medicines
Human immunoglobulins
- Human normal immunoglobulinâ€
Blood coagulation factors
- Coagulation factor VIIIâ€
- Coagulation factor IXâ€
Plasma substitutes
- Dextran 70
Cardiovascular medicines
Antianginal medicines
- Bisoprolol
- Glyceryl trinitrate
- Isosorbide dinitrate
- Verapamil
Antiarrhythmic medicines
- Bisoprolol
- Digoxin
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Lidocaine
- Verapamil
- Amiodaroneâ€
Antihypertensive medicines
- Amlodipine
- Bisoprolol
- Enalapril
- Hydralazine
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Methyldopa
- Sodium nitroprussideâ€
Medicines used in heart failure
- Bisoprolol
- Digoxin
- Enalapril
- Furosemide
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Spironolactone
- Dopamineâ€
Antithrombotic medicines
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Streptokinaseâ€
Lipid-lowering agents
- Simvastatin
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 iotroxateâ€
Disinfectants and antiseptics
Antiseptics
- Chlorhexidine
- Ethanol
- Polyvidone iodine
Disinfectants
- Chlorine base compound
- Chloroxylenol
- Glutaral
Diuretics
- Amiloride
- Furosemide
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Mannitol
- Spironolactone
Gastrointestinal medicines
- Pancreatic enzymesâ€
Antiulcer medicines
- Omeprazole
- Ranitidine
Antiemetic medicines
- Dexamethasone
- Metoclopramide
- Ondansetron
Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Sulfasalazine
- Hydrocortisoneâ€
Laxatives
- Senna
Medicines used in diarrhea
Oral rehydration
- Oral rehydration salts
Medicines for diarrhoea in children
- Zinc sulfate
Hormones, other endocrine medicines and contraceptives
Adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes
- Fludrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone
Androgens
- Testosteroneâ€
Contraceptives
Oral hormonal contraceptives
- Ethinylestradiol + levonorgestrel
- Ethinylestradiol + norethisterone
- Levonorgestrel
Injectable hormonal contraceptives
- Estradiol cypionate + medroxyprogesterone acetate
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate
- Norethisterone enantate
Intrauterine devices
- Copper-containing device
Barrier methods
- Condoms
- Diaphragms
Implantable contraceptives
- Levonorgestrel-releasing implant
Estrogens
Insulins and other medicines used for diabetes
- Gliclazide
- Glucagon
- Insulin injection (soluble)
- Intermediate-acting insulin
- Metformin
Ovulation inducers
- Clomifeneâ€
Progestogens
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate
Thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines
- Levothyroxine
- Potassium iodide
- Propylthiouracil
- Lugol's solutionâ€
Immunologicals
Diagnostic agents
- Tuberculin, purified protein derivative (PPD)
Sera and immunoglobulins
- Antiâ€D immunoglobulin (human)
- Antirabies immunoglobulin (human)
- Antitetanus immunoglobulin (human)
- Antivenom immunoglobulin
- Diphtheria antitoxin
Vaccines
- BCG vaccine
- Cholera vaccine
- Diphtheria vaccine
- Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- Pentavalent 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
- Typhoid vaccine
- Varicella vaccine
- Yellow fever vaccine
Muscle relaxants (peripherally-acting) and cholinesterase inhibitors
- Atracurium
- Neostigmine
- Suxamethonium
- Vecuronium
- Pyridostigmineâ€
Ophthalmological preparations
Anti-infective agents
- Aciclovir
- Azithromycin
- Gentamicin
- Tetracycline
Anti-inflammatory agents
- Prednisolone
Local anesthetics
- Tetracaine
Miotics and antiglaucoma medicines
- Acetazolamide
- Latanoprost
- Pilocarpine
- Timolol
Mydriatics
- Atropine
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)â€
Anti vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
- Bevacizumabâ€
Oxytocics and antioxytocics
Oxytocics
- Ergometrine
- Misoprostol
- Oxytocin
- Mifepristone â€" misoprostolâ€
Antioxytocics (tocolytics)
- Nifedipine
Peritoneal dialysis solution
- Intraperitoneal dialysis solution (of appropriate composition)â€
Medicines for mental and behavioural disorders
Medicines used in psychotic disorders
- Chlorpromazine
- Fluphenazine
- Haloperidol
- Risperidone
- Clozapineâ€
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 anxiety disorders
- Diazepam
Medicines used for obsessive compulsive disorders
- Clomipramine
Medicines for disorders due to psychoactive substance use
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
- Methadoneâ€
Medicines acting on the respiratory tract
Antiasthmatic and medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Beclomethasone
- Budesonide
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Ipratropium bromide
- Salbutamol
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
- Calcium
- Cholecalciferol
- Ergocalciferol
- Iodine
- Nicotinamide
- Pyridoxine
- Retinol
- Riboflavin
- Sodium fluoride
- Thiamine
- Calcium gluconateâ€
Ear, nose and throat medicines in children
- Acetic acid
- Budesonide
- Ciprofloxacin
- Xylometazoline
Specific medicines for neonatal care
Medicines administered to the neonate
- Caffeine citrate
- Chlorhexidine
- Ibuprofenâ€
- Prostaglandin Eâ€
- Surfactantâ€
Medicines administered to the mother
- Dexamethasone
Medicines for diseases of joints
Medicines used to treat gout
- Allopurinol
Disease-modifying agents used in rheumatoid disorders
- Chloroquine
- Azathioprineâ€
- Hydroxychloroquineâ€
- Methotrexateâ€
- Penicillamineâ€
- Sulfasalazineâ€
Juvenile joint diseases
- Acetylsalicylic acid
Notes
- ^ A †indicates the medicine is a complementary item, for which specialized diagnostic or monitoring and/or specialist training are needed. An item may also be listed as complementary on the basis of higher costs and/or a less attractive cost/benefit ratio.