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.[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

Injectable medicines

Local anaesthetics

Preoperative medication and sedation for short-term procedures

Medical gases

Medicines for pain and palliative care

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

Opioid analgesics

Complementary:

Medicines for other common symptoms in palliative care

Antiallergics and medicines used in anaphylaxis

Antidotes and other substances used in poisonings

Non-specific

Specific

Complementary:

Medicines for neurological disorders

Medicines for central nervous system disorders

Antiseizure medicines

Complementary:

Medicines for multiple sclerosis

No listings in this section.

Medicines for parkinsonism

No listings in this section.

Medicines for cerebral palsy

Complementary:

Medicines for headache disorders

Medicines for acute migraine attacks
Medicines for migraine prophylaxis
Medicines for cluster headache

No listings in this section.

Medicines for central nervous system infections

Medicines for bacterial central nervous system infections

Complementary:

Medicines for viral central nervous system infections

Medicines for peripheral nervous system disorders

Medicines for Guillain-Barré syndrome

Complementary:

Medicines for myasthenia gravis

Complementary:

Anti-infective medicines

Anthelminthics

Intestinal anthelminthics

Antifilarials

Antischistosomals and other antinematode medicines

Complementary:

Cysticidal medicines

Complementary:

Antibacterials

Access group antibiotics

Watch group antibiotics

Complementary:

Reserve group antibiotics

Complementary:

Antileprosy medicines

Antituberculosis medicines

Antifungal medicines

Complementary:

Antiviral medicines

Antiherpes medicines

Antiretrovirals

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Protease inhibitors
Integrase inhibitors
Fixed-dose combinations of antiretroviral medicines

Other antivirals

Complementary:

Antihepatitis medicines

Medicines for hepatitis B
Nucleoside/Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Medicines for hepatitis C
Pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral combinations
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

Antileishmaniasis medicines

Antimalarial medicines

Medicines for curative treatment
Medicines for chemoprevention
Medicines for chemoprophylaxis in travellers

Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis medicines

Antitrypanosomal medicines

African trypanosomiasis
Medicines for the treatment of 1st stage African trypanosomiasis
Medicines for the treatment of 2nd stage African trypanosomiasis

Complementary:

American trypanosomiasis

Medicines for ectoparasitic infections

Medicines for Ebola virus disease

Medicines for COVID-19

No listings in this section.

Medicines for cystic fibrosis

Complementary:

Immunomodulators and Antineoplastics

Immunomodulators for non-malignant disease

Complementary:

Antineoplastic and supportive medicines

Cytotoxic medicines

Complementary:

Targeted therapies

Complementary:

Immunomodulators

Complementary:

Hormones and antihormones

Complementary:

Supportive medicines

Complementary:

Therapeutic foods

Medicines affecting the blood

Antianaemia medicines

Complementary:

Medicines affecting coagulation

Complementary:

Medicines for haemoglobinopathies

Medicines for sickle-cell disease

Complementary:

Medicines for thalassaemias

Complementary:

Blood products, coagulation factors and plasma substitutes

Blood and blood components

Human immunoglobulins

Complementary:

Coagulation factors

Plasma substitutes

Cardiovascular medicines

Antianginal medicines

No listings in this section.

Antiarrhythmic medicines

No listings in this section.

Antihypertensive medicines

Medicines used in heart failure

Complementary:

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

Anti-infective medicines

Anti-inflammatory and antipruritic medicines

Medicines affecting skin differentiation and proliferation

Complementary:

Scabicides and pediculicides

Moisturizers

Sunscreens, broad-spectrum

Diagnostic agents

Ophthalmic medicines

Radiocontrast media

Complementary:

Antiseptics and disinfectants

Antiseptics

Disinfectants

Diuretics

Complementary:

Gastrointestinal medicines

Complementary:

Antiulcer medicines

Antiemetic medicines

Complementary:

Anti-inflammatory medicines

No listings in this section.

Laxatives

No listings in this section.

Medicines used in diarrhoea

Oral rehydration

Medicines for diarrhoea

Medicines for endocrine disorders

Adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes

Androgens

No listings in this section.

Estrogens

No listings in this section.

Progestogens

No listings in this section.

Medicines for diabetes

Insulins

Hypoglycaemic agents

Complementary:

Medicines for hypoglycaemia

Complementary:

Thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines

Complementary:

Medicines for disorders of the pituitary hormone system

No listings in this section.

Immunologicals

Diagnostic agents

Sera, immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies

Vaccines

Muscle relaxants (peripherally-acting) and cholinesterase inhibitors

Complementary:

Ophthalmological preparations

Anti-infective agents

Anti-inflammatory agents

Local anaesthetics

Miotics and antiglaucoma medicines

No listings in this section.

Mydriatics

Complementary:

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

Complementary:

Peritoneal dialysis solution

Complementary:

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

Solutions correcting water, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances

Oral

Parenteral

Miscellaneous

Vitamins and minerals

Complementary:

Ear, nose and throat medicines

Medicines for diseases of joints

Medicines used to treat gout

No listings in this section.

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

Complementary:

Medicines for juvenile joint diseases

Complementary:

Dental medicines and preparations

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. ^ a b May be used for buccal administration when solution for oromucosal administration is not available
  9. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Do not administer with calcium and avoid in infants with hyperbilirubinemia
  21. ^ a b > 41 weeks corrected gestational age
  22. ^ Only for the presumptive treatment of epidemic meningitis in children older than two years
  23. ^ a b > 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b Etanercept and infliximab are alternatives, including quality-assured biosimilars
  66. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d e 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.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  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.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  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.

eEML - Electronic Essential Medicines List

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