who model list of essential medicines for children who model list of essential medicines for children the who model list of essential medicines for children (aka essential medicines list for children or emlc), 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. for the adult list, see who model list of essential medicines. 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. the first list for children was created in 2007, and the list is in its 8th edition as of 2021. note: an α indicates a medicine is only on the complementary list. anaesthetics, preoperative medicines and medical gases inhalational medicines halothane isoflurane nitrous oxide oxygen injectable medicines ketamine propofol local anaesthetics bupivacaine lidocaine lidocaine/epinephrine (lidocaine + epinephrine) preoperative medication and sedation for short-term procedures atropine midazolam morphine medical gases oxygen medicines for pain and palliative care non-opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (nsaims) ibuprofen paracetamol (acetaminophen) opioid analgesics morphine methadoneα medicines for other symptoms common in palliative care amitriptyline cyclizine dexamethasone diazepam docusate sodium fluoxetine hyoscine hydrobromide lactulose midazolam ondansetron senna antiallergics and medicines used in anaphylaxis dexamethasone epinephrine (adrenaline) hydrocortisone loratadine prednisolone antidotes and other substances used in poisonings non-specific charcoal, activated specific acetylcysteine atropine calcium gluconate naloxone deferoxamineα dimercaprolα fomepizoleα sodium calcium edetateα succimerα anticonvulsants/antiepileptics carbamazepine diazepam lamotrigine lorazepam midazolam phenobarbital phenytoin valproic acid (sodium valproate) ethosuximideα valproic acid (sodium valproate)α anti-infective medicines intestinal anthelminthics a skeletal model of the chemical structure of albendazole albendazole ivermectin levamisole mebendazole niclosamide praziquantel pyrantel antifilarials albendazole diethylcarbamazine ivermectin antischistosomals and other antinematode medicines praziquantel triclabendazole oxamniquineα cysticidal medicines albendazoleα mebendazoleα praziquantelα access group antibiotics 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 sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim) trimethoprim watch group antibiotics azithromycin cefixime cefotaxime ceftriaxone cefuroxime ciprofloxacin clarithromycin piperacillin/tazobactam (piperacillin + tazobactam) vancomycin ceftazidimeα meropenemα vancomycinα reserve group antibiotics reserve antibiotics are last-resort antibiotics. the eml antibiotic book was published in 2022. ceftazidime/avibactam (ceftazidime + avibactam)α colistinα fosfomycinα linezolidα polymyxin bα antileprosy medicines clofazimine dapsone rifampicin antituberculosis medicines pure crystals of ethambutol ethambutol isoniazid isoniazid/pyrazinamide/rifampicin (isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin) isoniazid/rifampicin (isoniazid + rifampicin) isoniazid/rifapentine (isoniazid + rifapentine) pyrazinamide rifampicin rifapentine amikacinα amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)α bedaquilineα clofazimineα cycloserineα delamanidα ethionamideα levofloxacinα linezolidα meropenemα moxifloxacinα p-aminosalicylic acidα streptomycinα antifungal medicines amphotericin b fluconazole flucytosine griseofulvin itraconazole nystatin voriconazole micafunginα potassium iodideα antiherpes medicines aciclovir nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors lamivudine zidovudine non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors nevirapine protease inhibitors darunavir lopinavir/ritonavir (lopinavir + ritonavir) ritonavir integrase inhibitors dolutegravir raltegravir fixed-dose combinations of antiretroviral medicines 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 ribavirin oseltamivirα valganciclovirα nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors entecavir pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral combinations daclatasvir daclatasvir/sofosbuvir (daclatasvir + sofosbuvir) glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (glecaprevir + pibrentasvir) sofosbuvir 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. antiamoebic and antigiardiasis medicines diloxanide metronidazole antileishmaniasis medicines amphotericin b miltefosine paromomycin sodium stibogluconate or meglumine antimoniate for curative treatment amodiaquine artemether artemether/lumefantrine (artemether + lumefantrine) artesunate artesunate/amodiaquine (artesunate + amodiaquine) artesunate/mefloquine (artesunate + mefloquine) artesunate/pyronaridine tetraphosphate (artesunate + pyronaridine tetraphosphate) chloroquine dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine phosphate (dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine phosphate) doxycycline mefloquine primaquine quinine sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine) for chemoprevention amodiaquine + sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (co-packaged) chloroquine doxycycline mefloquine proguanil sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine) antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis medicines pyrimethamine sulfadiazine sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim) african trypanosomiasis fexinidazole 1st stage pentamidine suramin sodium 2nd stage eflornithine nifurtimox melarsoprolα american trypanosomiasis benznidazole nifurtimox medicines for ectoparasitic infections ivermectin antimigraine medicines for treatment of acute attack ibuprofen paracetamol for prophylaxis propranolol immunomodulators and antineoplastics immunomodulators for non-malignant disease adalimumabα azathioprineα ciclosporinα tacrolimusα cytotoxic medicines arsenic trioxideα asparaginaseα bleomycinα calcium folinateα carboplatinα cisplatinα cyclophosphamideα cytarabineα dacarbazineα dactinomycinα daunorubicinα doxorubicinα etoposideα fluorouracilα hydroxycarbamideα ifosfamideα irinotecanα mercaptopurineα methotrexateα oxaliplatinα paclitaxelα pegaspargaseα procarbazineα realgar/indigo naturalisα tioguanineα vinblastineα vincristineα vinorelbineα targeted therapies all-trans retinoid acid (atra)α dasatinibα everolimusα imatinibα nilotinibα rituximabα immunomodulators filgrastimα hormones and antihormones dexamethasoneα hydrocortisoneα methylprednisoloneα prednisoloneα supportive medicines allopurinolα mesnaα rasburicaseα medicines affecting the blood antianaemia medicines ferrous salt folic acid hydroxocobalamin erythropoiesis-stimulating agents medicines affecting coagulation enoxaparin phytomenadione desmopressinα heparin sodiumα protamine sulfateα warfarinα other medicines for haemoglobinopathies deferoxamineα hydroxycarbamideα blood products of human origin and plasma substitutes blood and blood components bag containing one unit of fresh frozen plasma fresh frozen plasma platelets red blood cells whole blood human immunoglobulins anti-rabies immunoglobulin anti-tetanus immunoglobulin normal immunoglobulinα blood coagulation factors coagulation factor viiiα coagulation factor ixα plasma substitutes dextran 70 cardiovascular medicines antianginal medicines no listings in this section. antiarrhythmic medicines no listings in this section. antihypertensive medicines enalapril medicines used in heart failure digoxin furosemide dopamineα antithrombotic medicines no listings in this section. lipid-lowering agents no listings in this section. dermatological medicines (topical) antifungal medicines miconazole 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 calcipotriol coal tar podophyllum resin salicylic acid urea scabicides and pediculicides benzyl benzoate permethrin diagnostic agents ophthalmic medicines fluorescein tropicamide radiocontrast media barium sulfateα disinfectants and antiseptics antiseptics chlorhexidine ethanol povidone iodine disinfectants alcohol based hand rub chlorine base compound chloroxylenol glutaral diuretics furosemide hydrochlorothiazideα mannitolα spironolactoneα gastrointestinal medicines pancreatic enzymesα antiulcer medicines omeprazole ranitidine antiemetic medicines dexamethasone metoclopramide ondansetron aprepitantα 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 medicines for endocrine disorders adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes fludrocortisone hydrocortisone androgens no listings in this section. estrogens no listings in this section. progestogens no listings in this section. insulins insulin injection (soluble) intermediate-acting insulin long-acting insulin analogues oral hypoglycaemic agents metforminα medicines for hypoglycaemia glucagon diazoxideα thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines levothyroxine lugol's solutionα methimazole potassium iodideα propylthiouracilα immunologicals diagnostic agents tuberculin, purified protein derivative (ppd) sera and immunoglobulins anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibodies antivenom immunoglobulin diphtheria antitoxin equine rabies immunoglobulin vaccines recommendations for all bcg vaccine diphtheria vaccine haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine hepatitis b vaccine hpv vaccine measles vaccine pertussis vaccine pneumococcal vaccine poliomyelitis vaccine rotavirus vaccine rubella vaccine tetanus vaccine recommendations for certain regions japanese encephalitis vaccine yellow fever vaccine tick-borne encephalitis vaccine recommendations for some high-risk populations cholera vaccine dengue vaccine hepatitis a vaccine meningococcal meningitis vaccine rabies vaccine typhoid vaccine recommendations for immunization programmes with certain characteristics influenza vaccine mumps vaccine varicella vaccine muscle relaxants (peripherally-acting) and cholinesterase inhibitors neostigmine suxamethonium vecuronium pyridostigmineα ophthalmological preparations anti-infective agents aciclovir azithromycin erythromycin gentamicin natamycin ofloxacin tetracycline anti-inflammatory agents prednisolone local anaesthetics tetracaine miotics and antiglaucoma medicines no listings in this section. mydriatics atropine 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. 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 ibuprofenα prostaglandin e1α surfactantα peritoneal dialysis solution intraperitoneal dialysis solution (of appropriate composition)α medicines for mental and behavioural disorders medicines used in psychotic disorders chlorpromazineα haloperidolα medicines used in depressive disorders fluoxetineα 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 acting on the respiratory tract antiasthmatic medicines budesonide epinephrine (adrenaline) salbutamol (albuterol) 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 cholecalciferol iodine multiple micronutrient powder pyridoxine retinol riboflavin thiamine calcium gluconateα ear, nose and throat medicines acetic acid budesonide ciprofloxacin xylometazoline medicines for diseases of joints medicines used to treat gout no listings in this section. disease-modifying agents used in rheumatoid disorders hydroxychloroquineα methotrexateα juvenile joint diseases aspirinα dental preparations fluoride glass ionomer cement silver diamine fluoride notes thiopental may be used as an alternative depending on local availability and cost. no more than 30% oxygen should be used to initiate resuscitation of neonates less than or equal to 32 weeks of gestation. not in children less than three months. not recommended for anti‐inflammatory use due to lack of proven benefit to that effect. alternatives limited to hydromorphone and oxycodone. for the management of cancer pain. alternatives limited to dolasetron, granisetron, palonosetron, and tropisetron alternatives limited to cetirizine and fexofenadine there may be a role for sedating antihistamines for limited indications. alternatives limited to prednisone for use as adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant partial or generalized seizures. alternatives limited to diazepam and midazolam for buccal administration when solution for oromucosal administration is not available. the presence of both 25 mg/5 ml and 30 mg/5 ml strengths on the same market would cause confusion in prescribing and dispensing and should be avoided. avoid use in pregnancy and in women and girls of child-bearing potential, unless alternative treatments are ineffective or not tolerated because of the high risk of birth defects and developmental disorders in children exposed to valproate in the womb. oxamniquine is listed for use when praziquantel treatment fails. > 1 month. only for the presumptive treatment of epidemic meningitis in children older than two years and in adults. alternatives limited to 4th level atc chemical subgroup (j01cf beta-lactamase resistant penicillins) cloxacillin, dicloxacillin and flucloxacillin are preferred for oral administration due to better bioavailability. use in children <8 years only for life-threatening infections when no alternative exists. 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. third-generation cephalosporin of choice for use in hospitalized neonates. do not administer with calcium and avoid in infants with hyperbilirubinemia. > 41 weeks corrected gestational age. erythromycin may be an alternative. imipenem/cilastatin is an alternative for complicated intraabdominal infections and high-risk febrile neutropenia only, except for acute bacterial meningitis in neonates, where meropenem is preferred for use only in combination with meropenem. terizidone may be an alternative prothionamide may be used as an alternative. for treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, acute invasive aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, sporotrichosis, paracoccidiodomycosis, mycoses caused by t. marneffei and chromoblastomycosis; and prophylaxis of histoplasmosis and infections caused by t. marneffei in aids patients. for treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and acute invasive aspergillosis. alternatives limited to anidulafungin and caspofungin for use in second-line regimens in accordance with who treatment guidelines for the treatment of viral haemorrhagic fevers only. severe illness due to confirmed or suspected influenza virus infection in critically ill hospitalized patients for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis (cmvr). pangenotypic when used in combination with sofosbuvir pangenotypic when used in combination with daclatasvir alternatives limited to tinidazole to be used in combination with artesunate 50 mg. for use in the management of severe malaria. not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy or in children below 5 kg. to be used in combination with either amodiaquine, mefloquine or sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine. other combinations that deliver the target doses required such as 153 mg or 200 mg (as hydrochloride) with 50 mg artesunate can be alternatives. for use only for the treatment of plasmodium vivax infection. for use only in combination with quinine. to be used in combination with artesunate 50 mg. only for use to achieve radical cure of plasmodium vivax and plasmodium ovale infections, given for 14 days. for use only in the management of severe malaria, and should be used in combination with