User:ImprovedWikiImprovment/Essential medicines
WHO list of essential medicines, to all eventually be created/expanded.
Anaesthetics, preoperative medicines and medical gases change
General anaesthetics and oxygen change
Inhalational medicines change
Injectable medicines change
Local anaesthetics change
Preoperative medication and sedation for short-term procedures change
Medical gases change
Medicines for pain and palliative care change
Non-opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIMs) change
- Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
- Ibuprofen[note 4]
- Paracetamol[note 5] (acetaminophen)
Opioid analgesics change
Medicines for other common symptoms in palliative care change
Antiallergics and medicines used in anaphylaxis change
Antidotes and other substances used in poisonings change
Non-specific change
Specific change
Anticonvulsants/antiepileptics change
- Carbamazepine
- Diazepam
- Lamotrigine[note 13]
- Lorazepam[note 14]
- Magnesium sulfate[note 15]
- Midazolam[note 16]
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin[note 17]
- Valproic acid (sodium valproate)[note 18]
- Ethosuximideα
- Valproic acid (sodium valproate)α
Anti-infective medicines change
Anthelminthics change
Intestinal anthelminthics change
Antifilarials change
Antischistosomals and other antinematode medicines change
Cysticidal medicines change
Antibacterials change
Access group antibiotics change
- Amikacin
- Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)
- Ampicillin
- Benzathine benzylpenicillin
- Benzylpenicillin
- Cefalexin
- Cefazolin[note 20]
- Chloramphenicol[note 21]
- Clindamycin
- Cloxacillin[note 22][note 23]
- Doxycycline[note 24]
- Gentamicin
- Metronidazole
- Nitrofurantoin
- Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
- Procaine benzylpenicillin[note 25]
- Spectinomycin
- Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim)
- Trimethoprim
Watch group antibiotics change
- Azithromycin
- Cefixime
- Cefotaxime[note 26]
- Ceftriaxone[note 27][note 28]
- Cefuroxime
- Ciprofloxacin
- Clarithromycin[note 29]
- Piperacillin/tazobactam (piperacillin + tazobactam)
- Vancomycin
- Ceftazidimeα
- Meropenemα[note 30]
- Vancomycinα
Reserve group antibiotics change
- Cefiderocolα
- Ceftazidime/avibactam (ceftazidime + avibactam)α
- Colistinα
- Fosfomycinα
- Linezolidα
- Meropenem/vaborbactam (meropenem + vaborbactam)α
- Plazomicinα
- Polymyxin Bα
Antileprosy medicines change
Antituberculosis medicines change
- 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)
- Isoniazid/rifapentine (isoniazid + rifapentine)
- Moxifloxacin
- Pyrazinamide
- Rifabutin[note 31]
- Rifampicin
- Rifapentine
- Amikacinα
- Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid)α[note 32]
- Bedaquilineα[note 33]
- Clofazimineα
- Cycloserineα[note 34]
- Delamanidα
- Ethionamideα[note 35]
- Levofloxacinα
- Linezolidα
- Meropenemα[note 36]
- Moxifloxacinα
- P-aminosalicylic acidα
- Streptomycinα
Antifungal medicines change
- Amphotericin B
- Clotrimazole
- Fluconazole
- Flucytosine
- Griseofulvin
- Itraconazole[note 37]
- Nystatin
- Voriconazole[note 38]
- Micafunginα[note 39]
- Potassium iodideα
Antiviral medicines change
Antiherpes medicines change
Antiretrovirals change
Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors change
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors change
Protease inhibitors change
- Atazanavir/ritonavir (atazanavir + ritonavir)
- Darunavir
- Lopinavir/ritonavir (lopinavir + ritonavir)
- Ritonavir
Integrase inhibitors change
Fixed-dose combinations of antiretroviral medicines change
- Abacavir/lamivudine (abacavir + lamivudine)
- Dolutegravir/lamivudine/tenofovir (dolutegravir + lamivudine + tenofovir)
- Efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir[note 43]
- Efavirenz/lamivudine/tenofovir (efavirenz + lamivudine + tenofovir)
- Emtricitabine/tenofovir (emtricitabine + tenofovir)[note 43][note 44]
- Lamivudine/zidovudine (lamivudine + zidovudine)
change
- Isoniazid/pyridoxine/sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (isoniazid + pyridoxine + sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim)
Other antivirals change
Antihepatitis medicines change
Medicines for hepatitis B change
Nucleoside/Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors change
Medicines for hepatitis C change
Pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral combinations change
- Daclatasvir[note 49]
- Daclatasvir/sofosbuvir (daclatasvir + sofosbuvir)
- Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (glecaprevir + pibrentasvir)
- Sofosbuvir[note 50]
- Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (sofosbuvir + velpatasvir)
Non-pangenotypic direct-acting antiviral combinations change
- Dasabuvir
- Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (ledipasvir + sofosbuvir)
- Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (ombitasvir + paritaprevir + ritonavir)
Other antivirals for hepatitis C change
Antiprotozoal medicines change
Antiamoebic and antigiardiasis medicines change
Antileishmaniasis medicines change
Antimalarial medicines change
For curative treatment change
- Amodiaquine[note 54]
- Artemether[note 55]
- Artemether/lumefantrine (artemether + lumefantrine)[note 56]
- Artesunate[note 57]
- Artesunate/amodiaquine (artesunate + amodiaquine)[note 58]
- Artesunate/mefloquine (artesunate + mefloquine)
- Artesunate/pyronaridine tetraphosphate (artesunate + pyronaridine tetraphosphate)
- Chloroquine[note 59]
- Dihydroartemisinin/piperaquine phosphate (dihydroartemisinin + piperaquine phosphate)
- Doxycycline[note 60]
- Mefloquine[note 54]
- Primaquine[note 61]
- Quinine[note 62]
- Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine)[note 63]
For chemoprevention change
- Amodiaquine + sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (Co-packaged)
- Chloroquine[note 64]
- Doxycycline
- Mefloquine
- Proguanil[note 65]
- Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine)
Antipneumocystosis and antitoxoplasmosis medicines change
- Pyrimethamine
- Sulfadiazine
- Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim)
- Pentamidineα
Antitrypanosomal medicines change
African trypanosomiasis change
Medicines for the treatment of 1st stage African trypanosomiasis change
Medicines for the treatment of 2nd stage African trypanosomiasis change
American trypanosomiasis change
Medicines for ectoparasitic infections change
Antimigraine medicines change
For treatment of acute attack change
- Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
- Ibuprofen
- Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
- Sumatriptan
For prophylaxis change
Immunomodulators and antineoplastics change
Immunomodulators for non-malignant disease change
Antineoplastics and supportive medicines change
Cytotoxic medicines change
- Arsenic trioxideα
- Asparaginaseα[note 72]
- Bendamustineα
- Bleomycinα
- Calcium folinateα
- Capecitabineα
- Carboplatinα
- Chlorambucilα
- Cisplatinα
- Cyclophosphamideα
- Cytarabineα
- Dacarbazineα
- Dactinomycinα
- Daunorubicinα
- Docetaxelα
- Doxorubicinα
- Etoposideα
- Fludarabineα
- Fluorouracilα
- Gemcitabineα
- Hydroxycarbamideα
- Ifosfamideα
- Irinotecanα
- Melphalanα
- Mercaptopurineα
- Methotrexateα
- Oxaliplatinα
- Paclitaxelα
- Pegaspargaseα[note 72]
- Procarbazineα
- Realgar Indigo naturalis formulationα
- Tioguanineα
- Vinblastineα
- Vincristineα
- Vinorelbineα
Targeted therapies change
- All-trans retinoic acid (tretinoin) (ATRA)α
- Bortezomibα
- Dasatinibα
- Erlotinibα[note 73]
- Everolimusα
- Ibrutinibα
- Imatinibα
- Nilotinibα
- Rituximabα[note 72]
- Trastuzumabα[note 72]
Immunomodulators change
Hormones and antihormones change
- Abirateroneα[note 75]
- Anastrozoleα[note 76]
- Bicalutamideα[note 77]
- Dexamethasoneα
- Hydrocortisoneα
- Leuprorelinα[note 78]
- Methylprednisoloneα
- Prednisoloneα[note 79]
- Tamoxifenα
Supportive medicines change
Antiparkinsonism medicines change
Medicines affecting the blood change
Antianaemia medicines change
- Ferrous salt
- Ferrous salt/folic acid (ferrous salt + folic acid)
- Folic acid[note 82]
- Hydroxocobalamin
- Erythropoiesis-stimulating agentsα[note 83]
Medicines affecting coagulation change
- Dabigatran[note 84]
- Enoxaparin[note 85]
- Heparin sodium
- Phytomenadione
- Protamine sulfate
- Tranexamic acid
- Warfarin
- Desmopressinα
- Heparin sodiumα
- Protamine sulfateα
- Warfarinα
Other medicines for haemoglobinopathies change
Blood products of human origin and plasma substitutes change
Blood and blood components change
Plasma-derived medicines change
Human immunoglobulins change
- Rho(D) immune globulin (anti-D immunoglobulin)
- Anti-rabies immunoglobulin
- Anti-tetanus immunoglobulin
- Normal immunoglobulinα
Blood coagulation factors change
Plasma substitutes change
Cardiovascular medicines change
Antianginal medicines change
Antiarrhythmic medicines change
- Bisoprolol[note 88]
- Digoxin
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)
- Lidocaine
- Verapamil
- Amiodaroneα
Antihypertensive medicines change
- Amlodipine[note 89]
- Bisoprolol[note 90]
- Enalapril[note 91]
- Hydralazine[note 92]
- Hydrochlorothiazide[note 93]
- Lisinopril/amlodipine (lisinopril + amlodipine)[note 94]
- Lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide (lisinopril + hydrochlorothiazide)[note 95]
- Losartan[note 96]
- Methyldopa[note 97]
- Telmisartan/amlodipine (telmisartan + amlodipine)[note 98]
- Telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide (telmisartan + hydrochlorothiazide)[note 99]
- Sodium nitroprussideα
Medicines used in heart failure change
- Bisoprolol[note 88]
- Digoxin
- Enalapril[note 100]
- Furosemide[note 101]
- Hydrochlorothiazide[note 93]
- Losartan[note 96]
- Spironolactone
- Dopamineα
Antithrombotic medicines change
Anti-platelet medicines change
- Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)
- Clopidogrel
Thrombolytic medicines change
Lipid-lowering agents change
Dermatological medicines (topical) change
Antifungal medicines change
Anti-infective medicines change
Anti-inflammatory and antipruritic medicines change
Medicines affecting skin differentiation and proliferation change
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Calcipotriol[note 106]
- Coal tar
- Fluorouracil
- Podophyllum resin[note 107]
- Salicylic acid
- Urea
Scabicides and pediculicides change
Diagnostic agents change
Ophthalmic medicines change
Radiocontrast media change
Antiseptics and disinfectants change
Antiseptics change
Disinfectants change
Diuretics change
Gastrointestinal medicines change
Antiulcer medicines change
Antiemetic medicines change
Anti-inflammatory medicines change
Laxatives change
Medicines used in diarrhoea change
- Oral rehydration salts + zinc sulfate (Co-packaged)
Oral rehydration change
Medicines for diarrhea change
Medicines for endocrine disorders change
Adrenal hormones and synthetic substitutes change
Androgens change
Estrogens change
No listings in this section.
Progestogens change
Medicines for diabetes change
Insulins change
- Insulin injection (soluble)[note 72]
- Intermediate-acting insulin[note 72]
- Long-acting insulin analogues[note 121]
Oral hypoglycaemic agents change
Medicines for hypoglycaemia change
Thyroid hormones and antithyroid medicines change
Immunologicals change
Diagnostic agents change
- Tuberculin, purified protein derivative (PPD)
Sera, immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies change
- Anti-rabies virus monoclonal antibodies[note 72]
- Antivenom immunoglobulin[note 127]
- Diphtheria antitoxin
- Equine rabies immunoglobulin
Vaccines change
Recommendations for all
- BCG vaccine
- Diphtheria vaccine
- Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine
- Measles vaccine
- Pertussis vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Poliomyelitis vaccine
- Rotavirus vaccine
- Rubella vaccine
- Tetanus vaccine
Recommendations for certain regions
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine[note 128]
- Tick-borne encephalitis vaccine[note 128]
- Yellow fever vaccine[note 128]
Recommendations for some high-risk populations
- Cholera vaccine[note 129]
- Dengue vaccine[note 129]
- Hepatitis A vaccine[note 129]
- Meningococcal meningitis vaccine[note 129]
- Rabies vaccine[note 129]
- Typhoid vaccine[note 129]
Recommendations for immunization programmes with certain characteristics
Muscle relaxants (peripherally-acting) and cholinesterase inhibitors change
Ophthalmological preparations change
Anti-infective agents change
- Aciclovir
- Azithromycin
- Erythromycin[note 131]
- Gentamicin[note 132]
- Natamycin
- Ofloxacin[note 133]
- Tetracycline[note 134]
Anti-inflammatory agents change
Local anesthetics change
Miotics and antiglaucoma medicines change
Mydriatics change
- Atropine[note 138]
- Epinephrine (adrenaline)α
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) change
Medicines for reproductive health and perinatal care change
Contraceptives change
Oral hormonal contraceptives change
- Ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel (ethinylestradiol + levonorgestrel)
- Ethinylestradiol/norethisterone (ethinylestradiol + norethisterone)
- Levonorgestrel
- Ulipristal
Injectable hormonal contraceptives change
- Estradiol cypionate/medroxyprogesterone acetate (estradiol cypionate + medroxyprogesterone acetate)
- Medroxyprogesterone acetate
- Norethisterone enantate
Intrauterine devices change
Barrier methods change
Implantable contraceptives change
Intravaginal contraceptives change
Ovulation inducers change
Uterotonics change
- Carbetocin
- Ergometrine[note 140]
- Mifepristone + misoprostol (Co-packaged)[note 141]
- Misoprostol[note 142]
- Oxytocin
Antioxytocics (tocolytics) change
Medicines administered to the mother change
Medicines administered to the neonate change
Peritoneal dialysis solution change
- Intraperitoneal dialysis solution (of appropriate composition)α
Medicines for mental and behavioural disorders change
Medicines used in psychotic disorders change
- Chlorpromazine
- Fluphenazine
- Haloperidol
- Paliperidone[note 145]
- Risperidone
- Chlorpromazineα
- Clozapineα
- Haloperidolα
Medicines used in mood disorders change
Medicines used in depressive disorders change
Medicines used in bipolar disorders change
- Carbamazepine
- Lithium carbonate
- Valproic acid (sodium valproate)[note 18]
Medicines for anxiety disorders change
Medicines used for obsessive compulsive disorders change
Medicines for disorders due to psychoactive substance use change
Medicines acting on the respiratory tract change
Antiasthmatics and medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease change
Solutions correcting water, electrolyte and acid-base disturbances change
Oral change
Parenteral change
- Glucose
- Glucose with sodium chloride
- Potassium chloride
- Sodium chloride
- Sodium hydrogen carbonate
- Sodium lactate, compound solution (Ringer's lactate solution)
Miscellaneous change
Vitamins and minerals change
Ear, nose and throat medicines change
Medicines for diseases of joints change
Medicines used to treat gout change
Disease-modifying agents used in rheumatoid disorders (DMARDs) change
Juvenile joint diseases change
- Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)[note 155]
Dental preparations change
Notes change
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][2]
- ↑ Thiopental may be used as an alternative depending on local availability and cost.
- ↑ (For use in spinal anaesthesia during delivery, to prevent hypotension).
- ↑ 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 3 months.
- ↑ Not recommended for anti‐inflammatory use due to lack of proven benefit to that effect.
- ↑ For the management of cancer pain
- ↑ Alternatives limited to hydromorphone and oxycodone
- ↑ For the management of cancer pain.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 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 (EMLc).
- ↑ Alternatives limited to prednisone
- ↑ For use as adjunctive therapy for treatment-resistant partial or generalized seizures.
- ↑ Alternatives limited to diazepam and midazolam
- ↑ For use in eclampsia and severe pre‐eclampsia and not for other convulsant disorders.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 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. For use in combination regimens for eradication of H. pylori in adults
- ↑ 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 patients with HIV receiving protease inhibitors
- ↑ For use only in combination with meropenem or imipenem/cilastatin
- ↑ ≥ 5 years
- ↑ Terizidone may be an alternative
- ↑ Prothionamide may be an alternative
- ↑ Imipenem/cilastatin may be an alternative
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ For treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and acute invasive aspergillosis.
- ↑ Alternatives limited to anidulafungin and caspofungin
- ↑ Alternatives limited to valaciclovir
- ↑ also indicated for pre-exposure prophylaxis.
- ↑ For use in pregnant women and in second-line regimens in accordance with WHO treatment guidelines.
- ↑ 43.0 43.1 Alternatives limited to lamivudine (for emtricitabine)
- ↑ combination also indicated for pre-exposure prophylaxis
- ↑ For the treatment of viral haemorrhagic fevers
- ↑ For the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVr).
- ↑ For 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
- ↑ For the treatment of hepatitis C, in combination with direct acting anti-viral medicines
- ↑ To be used in combination with ribavirin
- ↑ Alternatives limited to tinidazole
- ↑ 54.0 54.1 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.
- ↑ 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 doxycycline.
- ↑ Only in combination with artesunate 50 mg.
- ↑ For use only in Central American regions, for Plasmodium vivax infections.
- ↑ For use only in combination with chloroquine.
- ↑ For the treatment of 1st and 2nd stage human African trypanosomiasis due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection.
- ↑ To be used for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection.
- ↑ To be used for the treatment of the initial phase of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection.
- ↑ To be used for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection
- ↑ Only to be used in combination with eflornithine, for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection.
- ↑ Certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab are alternatives, including quality-assured biosimilars
- ↑ 72.0 72.1 72.2 72.3 72.4 72.5 72.6 72.7 72.8 Including quality-assured biosimilars
- ↑ Afatinib and gefitinib are alternatives
- ↑ Pembrolizumab is an alternative, including quality-assured biosimilars
- ↑ Alternatives limited to enzalutamide
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (L02BG Aromatase inhibitors)
- ↑ Alternatives limited to flutamide and nilutamide
- ↑ Alternatives limited to goserelin and triptorelin
- ↑ Alternatives limited to prednisone
- ↑ Alternatives limited to trihexyphenidyl
- ↑ Alternatives limited to benserazide (for carbidopa)
- ↑ periconceptual use for prevention of first occurrence of neural tube defects
- ↑ Alternatives limited to epoetin alfa, beta and theta, darbepoetin alfa, methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, and their quality-assured biosimilars.
- ↑ Apixaban, edoxaban and rivaroxaban are alternatives
- ↑ Alternatives are limited to dalteparin and nadroparin, including their quality-assured biosimilars.
- ↑ Alternatives are limited to the oral form of deferasirox.
- ↑ Polygeline, injectable solution, 3.5% is considered an alternative.
- ↑ 88.0 88.1 88.2 Includes carvedilol and metoprolol as alternatives
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C08CA Dihydropyridine derivatives)
- ↑ Includes atenolol, carvedilol, and metoprolol as alternatives. Atenolol should not be used as a first-line agent in uncomplicated hypertension in patients > 60 years.
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C09AA ACE inhibitors, plain)
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 93.0 93.1 93.2 Alternatives limited to chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, and indapamide
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C09AA ACE inhibitors, plain) (for lisinopril) and 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C08CA Dihydropyridine derivatives) (for amlodipine)
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C09AA ACE inhibitors, plain) (for lisinopril) and chlorthalidone, chlorothiazide, indapamide (for hydrochlorothiazide)
- ↑ 96.0 96.1 Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C09CA Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), plain)
- ↑ Methyldopa is listed for use only in the management of pregnancy-induced hypertension. Its use in the treatment of essential hypertension is not recommended in view of the evidence of greater efficacy and safety of other medicines.
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C09CA Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), plain) (for telmisartan) and 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C08CA Dihydropyridine derivatives) (for amlodipine)
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C09CA Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), plain) (for telmisartan) and chlorthalidone, chlorothiazide, indapamide (for hydrochlorothiazide)
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (C09AA ACE inhibitors, plain)
- ↑ Alternatives limited to bumetanide and torasemide
- ↑ For use in high‐risk patients. Alternatives limited to atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, and pravastatin
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (D01AC Imidazole and triazole derivatives) excluding combinations
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (D07AC Corticosteroids, potent (group III))
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (D07AA Corticosteroids, weak (group I))
- ↑ Alternatives limited to calcitriol and tacalcitol
- ↑ Alternatives limited to podophyllotoxin
- ↑ Alternatives limited to precipitated sulfur topical ointment
- ↑ Alternatives limited to atropine and cyclopentolate
- ↑ Alternatives limited to propanol
- ↑ Alternatives limited to iodine
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (D08AE Phenol and derivatives)
- ↑ Alternatives limited to bumetanide and torasemide
- ↑ Alternatives limited to chlorothiazide and chlorthalidone
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (A02BC Proton pump inhibitors) excluding combinations
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (A02BA H2-receptor antagonists) excluding combinations
- ↑ Alternatives limited to mesalazine
- ↑ Alternatives limited to bisacodyl
- ↑ In acute diarrhoea zinc sulfate should be used as an adjunct to oral rehydration salts.
- ↑ Alternatives limited to norethisterone
- ↑ Alternatives limited to insulin degludec, insulin detemir, and insulin glargine, including quality-assured biosimilars
- ↑ Alternatives limited to canagliflozin and dapagliflozin
- ↑ Glibenclamide not suitable above 60 years. Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (A10BB Sulfonylureas)
- ↑ 124.0 124.1 Carbimazole is an alternative depending on local availability
- ↑ For use when alternative first-line treatment is not appropriate or available; and in patients during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- ↑ For use when alternative first-line treatment is not appropriate or available
- ↑ Exact type to be defined locally
- ↑ 128.0 128.1 128.2 Recommended for certain regions
- ↑ 129.0 129.1 129.2 129.3 129.4 129.5 Recommended for some high-risk populations
- ↑ 130.0 130.1 130.2 Recommended only for immunization programmes with certain characteristics
- ↑ For infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
- ↑ Alternatives limited to amikacin, kanamycin, netilmicin, and tobramycin
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (S01AE Fluoroquinolones)
- ↑ Alternatives limited to chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (S01HA Local anaesthetics) excluding cocaine and combinations
- ↑ Alternatives limited to carbachol
- ↑ Alternatives limited to 4th level ATC chemical subgroup (S01ED Beta blocking agents) excluding combinations
- ↑ Alternatives limited to cyclopentolate hydrochloride or homatropine hydrobromide only for the EMLc
- ↑ For use in women actively breastfeeding at least 4 times per day
- ↑ Alternatives limited to methylergometrine
- ↑ Where permitted under national law and where culturally acceptable.
- ↑ Only for use for induction of labour where appropriate facilities are available.
- ↑ Alternatives limited to indometacin
- ↑ Alternatives limited to prostaglandin E2
- ↑ Alternatives limited to risperidone injection
- ↑ Alternatives limited to citalopram, escitalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline
- ↑ Alternatives limited to buprenorphine. The medicines should only be used within an established support programme.
- ↑ Alternatives limited to beclometasone, ciclesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone, and mometasone
- ↑ Alternatives limited to beclometasone/formoterol, budesonide/salmeterol, fluticasone/formoterol, fluticasone furoate/vilanterol, and mometasone/formoterol
- ↑ Alternatives limited to terbutaline
- ↑ Alternatives limited to aclidinium, glycopyrronium, and umeclidinium
- ↑ Ergocalciferol can be used as an alternative.
- ↑ Colecalciferol can be used as an alternative.
- ↑ Alternatives limited to ofloxacin
- ↑ For use for rheumatic fever, juvenile arthritis, Kawasaki disease