List of Essential Medicines from the World Health Organization

The list of essential medicines of the World Health Organization ( WHO Model List of Essential Medicines ) contains active substances and their preparations are classified as essential drugs are classified. According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), these can satisfy the most urgent needs of a population for medical care. The model list is intended as a recommendation for governments of individual states to develop their own supply standards that are adapted to national guidelines and regional circumstances. By the end of 2003, 156 states had developed official lists of essential medicines.

Explanations

• The selection of the substances is made by the Expert Committee on the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines . The list is revised every two years; the current version is 21 June 2019. It was first published in 1977.

• The active substances contained in the main list ( core list ) are required according to the WHO for the operation of a basic health system. They are designed to be the most efficient, safest, and most cost-effective remedies for major diseases.

• Complementary active substances ( Complementary List ) concern diseases that require special diagnostics and special therapeutic options. Less cost-effective resources are also managed as complementary.

• The WHO marks active ingredients with a square symbol (□) for which the use of an alternative active ingredient with comparable therapeutic properties and the same level of safety is possible. This should be determined when the list is adopted and adapted to national circumstances based on these considerations and on the basis of the price and availability.

• A separate list for children ( WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children ) has been published since 2007, in its sixth edition in 2017. In the 16th version of the general list, instructions for use in children have been added.

Table of Medicines

1 anesthetics

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
1.1 - General anesthetics and oxygen
1.1.1 Inhalation anesthetics
Halothane	inhalation	Inhalation anesthetic to induce and maintain general anesthesia ( general anesthesia)	1997
Isoflurane	inhalation	Inhalation anesthetic to induce and maintain general anesthesia ( general anesthesia)	2011
Laughing gas	inhalation	Maintenance of general anesthesia in combination with other anesthetics; Analgesia in obstetrics , injuries and pain in palliative medicine	1977
oxygen	inhalation	Maintenance of oxygen supply during anesthesia, use in newborns and children, for resuscitation and for the treatment of breathing disorders	1979
1.1.2 Injection anesthetics
Ketamine	injection	Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, painkillers	1985
Propofol	injection	Induction of general anesthesia (replaces the thiopental , which has been listed since 1977, in 2011 , this is still mentioned as an alternative)	2011
1.2 - local anesthetics
Bupivacaine	injection	Long-acting local anesthetic for infiltration anesthesia, peripheral and sympathetic nerve blocks , spinal and epidural anesthesia	1977
Lidocaine	Injection, topical formulation	Local anesthesia , dental procedures , spinal anesthesia	1977
Lidocaine + adrenaline	injection	Local anesthesia , especially for dental procedures, not for procedures on the finger	1979
Ephedrine (complementary)	injection	Therapy of blood pressure drops during spinal anesthesia for caesarean section	1998
1.3 - premedication and sedation
Atropine	injection	Premedication to prevent bradycardia	1988
Midazolam	Injection, juice, tablet	Premedication before surgical interventions, sedation with amnesia for endoscopic examinations and interventions under local anesthesia (replaces diazepam, which has been listed since 1985 in 2011 )	2011
Morphine	injection	Painkiller	1988
1.4 - Medical gases
oxygen	inhalation	Management of oxygen demand, avoidance of hypoxemia (no more than 30% oxygen should be used to initiate resuscitation of newborns born in or before the 32nd week of pregnancy )	2017 (new indication)

2 analgesics

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
2.1 Non-opioid analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Acetylsalicylic acid	Tablet, suppository	Slight pain, fever	1977
Ibuprofen	Juice, tablet	Slight pain, fever	1977
Paracetamol	Juice, tablet, suppository	Slight pain, fever	1977
2.2 Opioid analgesics
Codeine	tablet	Low potency analgesic for mild to moderate pain	1985
Fentanyl	Transdermal patch	Cancer pain	2017
Morphine	Granules, injection, juice, tablet, prolonged-release tablet	Highly potent analgesic for postoperative use and for severe pain	1977
Methadone (complementary)	Tablet, oral solution	Cancer pain	2017 (new indication)
2.3 Medicines used in palliative medicine
Amitriptyline	tablet		2011
Cyclizine	Injection, tablet		2011
Dexamethasone	Injection, juice, tablet		2011
Diazepam	Injection, juice, tablet, rectal gel		2011
Docusate sodium	Capsule, juice		2011
Fluoxetine	Solid oral form		2011
Haloperidol	Injection, solid or liquid oral form		2013
Butylscopolamine bromide	injection		2013
Scopolamine hydrobromide	Transdermal patch, injection		2011
Lactulose	juice		2011
Loperamide	Solid oral form		2013
Metoclopramide	Injection, solid or liquid oral form		2013
Midazolam	Injection, solid or liquid oral form		2011
Ondansetron	Injection, solid or liquid oral form		2011
Senna	juice		2011

3 Therapy of allergy and anaphylaxis

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
Dexamethasone	injection	Corticosteroid used to treat allergy and anaphylaxis	1985
adrenaline	injection	severe anaphylaxis, severe angioedema	1988
Hydrocortisone	Powder for injection	Combination with adrenaline in anaphylactic shock	1988
Loratadine	Juice, tablet	Suppression of histamine effects for special indications	2013
Prednisolone	Juice, tablet	Anti-inflammatory in allergic diseases	1985

4 antidotes

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
4.1 Non-specific antidotes
Activated carbon	powder	Antidote for acute peroral poisoning	1977
4.2 Specific antidotes
Acetylcysteine	Injection, juice	Antidote for acetaminophen poisoning	2000
Atropine	injection	Antidote for organophosphate poisoning	1997
Calcium gluconate	injection	Treatment of magnesium toxicity	1998
Methylene blue	injection	acute methemoglobinemia	1985
Naloxone	injection	Opioid antidote	1983
Penicillamine	Capsule or tablet	Lead poisoning	1985
Iron (III) hexacyanoferrate	Powder for oral administration	Thallium poisoning	1990
Sodium nitrite	injection	Antidote for cyanide poisoning	1979
Sodium thiosulfate	injection	Antidote for cyanide poisoning	1977
Deferoxamine (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of acute iron poisoning and chronic iron and aluminum overload	1979
Dimercaprol (complementary)	injection	Treatment of heavy metal poisoning , except iron, cadmium or selenium	1977
Fomepizole (complementary)	injection	Treatment of poisoning with ethylene glycol or methanol	2013
EDTA (complementary)	injection	Heavy metal poisoning, lead poisoning	1979
Succimer (complementary)	Tablet or capsule	Heavy metal poisoning	2011

5 anti-epileptic drugs

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
Carbamazepine	Juice, chewable tablet or divisible tablet	Generalized tonic-clonic and focal seizures , trigeminal neuralgia	1988
Diazepam	rectal gel or suppository	Status epilepticus	1977
Lamotrigine	Tablet, chewable or dispersible tablet	As a complementary therapy for therapy-resistant partial or generalized seizures.	2017
Lorazepam	Solution for injection		2009
Magnesium sulfate	injection	Eclampsia , severe preeclampsia , not with other epileptic diseases	2003
Midazolam	injection		2015
phenobarbital	Injection, juice, tablet	All forms of epilepsy , except for absenteeism	1977
Phenytoin	Injection, solid or liquid oral form, chewable tablet	All forms of epilepsy, except for absenteeism	1977
Valproate	Juice, tablet	Control of epilepsy	1979
Ethosuximide (complementary)	Capsule, juice	Absence	1977
Valproic acid (complementary)	injection		2015

6 active ingredients against infectious diseases

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
6.1 anthelmintics ( anthelmintics )
6.1.1 Intestinal anthelmintics
Albendazole	tablet	Treatment of various worm diseases : echinococcosis (if not surgically accessible), cysticercosis , infections with hookworms and roundworms , ascariasis , strongyloidiasis , enterobiasis , trichuriasis , capillary disease , filariasis	1990
Ivermectin	tablet		2017 (new indication)
Levamisole	tablet	Treatment of roundworm and roundworm infections	1988
Mebendazole	tablet	Treatment of worm diseases with grub , thread , and hookworms	1977
Niclosamide	tablet	Treatment of tapeworm infections	1977
Praziquantel	tablet	Treatment of sucking and tapeworm infections	1985
Pyrantel	Juice, tablet	Treatment of worm diseases with pinworms , whipworms and hookworms	1983
6.1.2 Remedies against roundworms
Albendazole	tablet	Treatment of various worm diseases : echinococcosis (if not surgically accessible), cysticercosis , infections with hookworms and roundworms , ascariasis , strongyloidiasis , enterobiasis , trichuriasis , capillary disease , filariasis	1990
Diethylcarbamazine	tablet	Treatment of filariasis, including loiasis	1977
Ivermectin	tablet	Treatment of onchocerciasis and filariasis	1988
6.1.3 Remedies against Schistosoma (pair of leeches ) and Trematoda (flukes)
Praziquantel	tablet	Treatment of schistosomiasis (schistosomiasis) of the intestinal and urogenital tract	1983
Triclabendazole	tablet	Treatment of fasciolosis and paragonimiasis	1977
Oxamniquine (complementary)	Capsule, juice	Treatment of infections with Schistosoma mansoni	1997
6.2 Antibacterial agents ( antibiotics )
6.2.1 Access group
Amikacin	injection	Treatment of pyelonephritis and neutropenia	2019
Amoxicillin	Capsule, powder	Treatment of a wide range of pathogens in acute respiratory infections , urinary tract infections , sinusitis , infections with chlamydia or Helicobacter pylori	1990
Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid	Juice, tablet	Infections with β-lactamase- producing germs	1998
Ampicillin	Powder for injection	Treatment of peritonitis , meningitis , endocarditis	1977
Benzathine benzyl penicillin	Powder for injection	Prophylaxis of rheumatic fever , syphilis , diphtheria	1977
Benzyl penicillin	Powder for injection	Treatment of infections with streptococci , meningococci , treponemas	1977
Cefalexin	Capsule, powder for juice	(Use in children)	2009
Cefazolin	Powder for injection	Prophylaxis of surgical infections	k. A.
Chloramphenicol	Capsule, juice, solution for injection, powder for injection	Treatment of infections with various bacteria, including Haemophilus influenzae , Salmonella typhi , Borrelia , meningitis with meningococci	1977
Clindamycin	Solution for injection, capsule, juice	Infections	1992
Cloxacillin	Capsule, powder for juice, powder for injection	Penicillinase -solid active ingredient for the treatment of various staphylococcal infections	1977
Doxycycline	Capsule, juice, powder for injection	Tetracycline , used in a variety of infections, especially in the case of chlamydia , lymphogranuloma venereum , typhoid and Lyme borreliosis	1977
Gentamicin	Solution for injection	Aminoglycoside with a broad spectrum of activity	1977
Metronidazole	Solution for injection, juice, tablet, suppository	Active ingredient from the group of nitroimidazoles against anaerobic pathogens	1979
Nitrofurantoin	Juice, tablet	Antibiotic for urinary tract infections , including prophylactic use	1979
Phenoxymethylpenicillin	Powder for juice, tablet	Treatment of infections of the ENT area ( tonsillitis , otitis media ) and the skin ( erysipelas , cellulitis ), rheumatic fever	1977
Procaine - Benzylpenicillin	Powder for injection	Long-acting antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of infectious diseases (syphilis, child pneumonia, anthrax , diphtheria, bite wounds)	1983
Spectinomycin	Powder for injection	Aminoglycoside, effective in various infections as a substitute for cephalosporins or quinolone antibiotics	1977
Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim (corresponds to co- trimoxazole )	Solution for injection, juice, tablet	Combination of active ingredients for use in infections of the respiratory and urinary tract	1977
6.2.2 Watch group
Azithromycin	Capsule, juice	Macrolide antibiotic , only listed for single-dose applications in use in infections of the eye ( trachoma ) or genital region with Chlamydia trachomatis	2003
Cefixime	capsule	Treatment of gonorrhea	2005
Cefotaxime	Powder for injection	Third generation cephalosporin , the drug of choice in newborns	2009
Ceftriaxone	Powder for injection	Treatment of meningitis due to various pathogens	2005
Cefuroxime	Powder for injection	prophylaxis	2019
Ciprofloxacin	Infusion solution, juice, tablet	Gyrase inhibitors for the treatment of cholera , shigellosis , typhoid and gonorrhea, among others	1990
Clarithromycin	Tablet, capsule, powder for injection, soluble powder as juice	Combination therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication	2011
Piperacillin + tazobactam	Powder for injection	Treatment of intra-abdominal infections, neutropenia and pneumonia	2019
Vancomycin	capsule	Active ingredient against Clostridium difficile	1997
Ceftazidime (complementary)	Powder for injection	Active ingredient against Pseudomonas aeruginosa	1997
Meropenem (complementary)	Powder for injection	Reserve agent with a broad spectrum of action against multi-resistant pathogens	2019
Vancomycin (complementary)	Powder for injection	Reserve active ingredient against resistant germs, including MRSA	1997
6.2.3 Reserve group
Ceftazidime + avibactam (complementary)	Powder for injection		2019
Colistin (complementary)	Powder for injection		2019
Fosfomycin (complementary)	Powder for injection		2019
Linezolid (complementary)	Powder for injection, solution for injection, tablet		2019
Meropenem + Vaborbactam (complementary)	Powder for injection		2019
Plazomicin (complementary)	Solution for injection		2019
Polymyxin B (complementary)	Powder for injection		2019
6.2.4 Leprosy drugs
Clofazimine	capsule	Treatment of lepromatous leprosy as part of combination therapy	1979
Dapsone	tablet	Treatment of all forms of leprosy as part of combination therapy	1979
Rifampicin	Capsule, tablet	Treatment of leprosy as part of combination therapy	1977
6.2.5 Tuberculostatics
Ethambutol	Juice, tablet	Treatment of tuberculosis (TB) as part of combination therapy	1977
Ethambutol + isoniazid + rifampicin	tablet	Combination therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis	2007
Ethambutol + isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin	tablet	Combination therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis	2000
Isoniazid	Juice, tablet	Treatment of tuberculosis as part of combination therapy, TB prophylaxis	1977
Isoniazid + pyrazinamide + rifampicin	tablet	Combination therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis	1997
Isoniazid + rifampicin	tablet	Combination therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis	1990
Pyrazinamide	Juice, tablet	Treatment of tuberculosis as part of combination therapy	1983
Rifabutin	capsule	Treatment of tuberculosis in the presence of HIV	2011
Rifampicin	Capsule, juice, tablet	Treatment of tuberculosis as part of combination therapy	1977
Rifapentine	tablet	Treatment of latent tuberculosis (LTBI)
Amikacin (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)	2002
Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (complementary)	Juice, tablet		2019
Bedaquiline (complementary)	tablet	Treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB)	2015
Capreomycin (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of multi-resistant tuberculosis in special centers	2002
Clofazimin (complementary)	Capsule, tablet		2019
Cycloserine (complementary)	Capsule, tablet	Second choice drug for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis tuberculosis	2000
Delamanid (complementary)	tablet	Second choice drug for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis	2015
Ethionamide (complementary)	tablet	Reserve medication for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis; Prothionamide can be used as an alternative to ethionamide.	2000
Levofloxacin (complementary)	tablet	Reserve medication for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis; Ofloxacin and moxifloxacin can be used as alternatives to levofloxacin.	2002
Linezolid (complementary)	Injection, Soluble Powder as Juice, Tablet		2015
Meropenem (complementary)	Powder for injection		2019
Moxifloxacin (complementary)	tablet		2019
Paraaminosalicylic acid (complementary)	Granules or tablets	Reserve drug for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis	2002
Streptomycin (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of tuberculosis as part of combination therapy	1977
6.3 Active substances against fungal infections ( antimycotics )
Amphotericin B	Powder for injection	Treatment of life-threatening fungal infections such as histoplasmosis , coccidioidomycosis , paracoccidioidomycosis , blastomycosis , aspergillosis , cryptococcosis , mucormycosis , sporotrichosis and candidiasis	2003
Clotrimazole	Vaginal cream or vaginal tablet	Candidiasis of the vulva or vagina	2005
Fluconazole	Capsule, injection, juice	Broad spectrum antifungal agent	1998
Flucytosine	Capsule, infusion	Treatment of systemic yeast and fungal diseases	1977
Griseofulvin	Capsule, juice, tablet	Treating skin, hair, and nail infections when topical treatment has failed.	1977
Itraconazole	Capsule, oral solution	Treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, histoplasmosis , sporotrichosis , Parakokkidiodomykose, by T. marneffei mycoses caused and Chromoblastomykosen; Prophylaxis of histoplasmosis and T. marneffei infections in AIDS patients.	2017
Nystatin	Juice, tablet, pessary	Candidiasis of the skin and mucous membranes	1979
Voriconazole	Tablet, powder for solutions for injection or oral use	Treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and acute invasive aspergillosis	2017
Potassium iodide (complementary)	solution	Treatment of cutaneous sporotrichosis	1997
6.4 Antiviral drugs ( virostatics )
6.4.1 Herpes Therapy
Acyclovir	Juice, powder for injection, tablet	Treatment of genital herpes ( herpes simplex infection ), treatment of chickenpox in immunocompromised people	1998
6.4.2 Antiretroviral Therapy
6.4.2.1 Nucleosidic reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Abacavir	Juice, tablets	Combination therapy for HIV infection	2002
Lamivudine	Juice, tablet	Combination therapy for HIV infection	2002
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate	tablet	Combination therapy for HIV infection	2007
Zidovudine	Injection, capsule, juice, tablet	Combination therapy for HIV infection. Prophylaxis of the transmission of the virus from mother to fetus	1998
6.4.2.2 Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Efavirenz	tablet	Combination therapy for HIV infection with at least two other drugs	2002
Nevirapine	Juice, tablet	Combination therapy for HIV infection with at least two other drugs	2000
6.4.2.3 Protease inhibitors
Atazanavir	capsule	Combination therapy for HIV infection
Atazanavir + ritonavir	Juice, tablet, capsule		2019
Darunavir	tablet		2015
Lopinavir + ritonavir	Capsule, juice, tablet	Combination therapy for HIV infection	2002
Ritonavir	Capsule, juice, tablet	Combination therapy for HIV infection	2002
6.4.2.4 Integrase inhibitors
Dolutegravir	tablet		2019
Raltegravir	Tablet, granules	Treatment of pregnant women	2019
Combination preparations, cf. Highly active antiretroviral therapy
Abacavir + lamivudine	tablet		2015
Dolutegravir + lamivudine + tenofovir	tablet		2019
Efavirenz + emtricitabine + tenofovir	tablet	(Combination therapy for HIV infection)	2007
Efavirenz + lamivudine + tenofovir	tablet		2019
Emtricitabine + tenofovir	tablet	(Combination therapy for HIV infection)	2007
Lamivudine + nevirapine + zidovudine	tablet	(Combination therapy for HIV infection)	2007
Lamivudine + zidovudine	tablet	(Combination therapy for HIV infection)	2007
6.4.2.5 Prevention of opportunistic HIV infections
Isoniazid + pyridoxine + sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim	tablet		2019
6.4.3 Other antivirals
Ribavirin	Injection, capsule	Treatment of viral hemorrhagic fever	2007
Valganciclovir	tablet	Treatment of CMV - retinitis	2015
Oseltamivir (complementary)	Capsule, powder	Treatment of severe influenza H1N1 illness	2011
Valganciclovir (complementary)	Tablet, powder	Treatment of CMV - retinitis	2019
6.4.4 Anti-hepatitis agents
6.4.4.1 Agents against hepatitis B
6.4.4.1.1 Nucleosidic reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Entecavir	Oral drops, tablets	Treatment of hepatitis B.	2015
Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate	Tablets	Treatment of hepatitis B.	2015
6.4.4.2 Agents against hepatitis C
6.4.4.2.1 Pangenotypical direct-acting antiviral combinations
Daclatasvir	Tablets	Treatment of hepatitis C.	2015
Glecaprevir + pibrentasvir	tablet		2019
Sofosbuvir	Tablets	Treatment of hepatitis C.	2015
Sofosbuvir + velpatasvir	tablet
6.4.4.2.2 Direct acting antiviral combinations, which are not typical of panache
Dasabuvir	Tablets	Treatment of hepatitis C.	2015
Ledipasvir + sofosbuvir	Tablets		2015
Onbitasvir + paritaprevir + ritonavir	Tablets		2015
6.4.4.2.3 Other antivirals
Ribavirin	iv injection / solid oral dosage forms	Treatment of hepatitis C, in combination with peginterferon or antiviral agents	2015
Peginterferon α (complementary)	injection	Treatment of hepatitis C, in combination with ribavirin	2015
6.5 Active substances against protozoa
6.5.1 Amoeba and Giardia
Diloxanide furoate	tablet	Treatment of amoebic dysentery in combination with other drugs, treatment of asymptomatic carriers	1988
Metronidazole	Tablet, injection, juice	Infections with protozoa (amoebic dysentery, giardiasis )	1988
6.5.2 Leishmania
Amphotericin B	Powder for injection	Treatment of the visceral (organ afflicting) and mucocutaneous (mucosal afflicting) form of leishmaniasis when antimony preparations (such as N-methyl-glucamine antimonate) are ineffective	2003
Miltefosine	Capsule or tablet		2011
Paromomycin	Intramuscular injection	Treatment of the visceral and mucocutaneous forms of leishmaniasis	2007
Sodium stibogluconate or N-methylglucamine antimonate	injection	Treatment of leishmaniasis (except infections with Leishmania aethiopica )	1988
6.5.3 Malaria
6.5.3.1 curative
Amodiaquine	tablet	Treatment of malaria ( Plasmodium vivax , Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae ), alone or in combination with artesunate	1977
Artemether	injection	Treatment of Severe Malaria	1997
Artemether + Lumefantrine	tablet	Treatment of uncomplicated malaria ( Plasmodium falciparum )	2002
Artesunate	Injection, rectal gel, tablet, suppository	Part of a combination therapy (with amodiaquine, mefloquine or sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine) for the treatment of malaria (Plasmodium falciparum)	2002
Artesunate + amodiaquine	tablet	(Combination therapy for malaria)	2011
Artesunate + mefloquine	tablet	(Combination therapy for malaria)	2013
Artesunate + pyronaridine tetraphosphate	Tablet, granules	(Combination therapy for malaria)	2017
Chloroquine	Juice, tablet	Only for treatment of malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax	1977
Dihydroartemisinin + Piperaquinphosphat	tablet	(Combination therapy for malaria)	2017
Doxycycline	Capsule, tablet	Only for the treatment of malaria in combination with quinine	1997
Mefloquine	tablet	Part of a combination therapy (with Artenusat) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria (Plasmodium falciparum)	1988
Primaquine	tablet	Only for radical treatment of malaria triggered by Plasmodium vivax and / or Plasmodium ovale	1977
quinine	Injection, tablet	Treatment of severe malaria in combination with doxycycline	1977
Sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine	tablet	Only as part of a combination therapy (with Artenusat)	1979
6.5.3.2 prophylactic
Amodiaquine + sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine	tablet		2019
Chloroquine	Juice, tablet	Only for the prophylaxis of malaria in Central America against Plasmodium vivax	1988
Doxycycline	Capsule, tablet	Malaria prophylaxis	2000
Mefloquine	tablet	Malaria prophylaxis	1995
Proguanil	tablet	Prophylaxis of malaria, only in combination with chloroquine	1988
Sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine	tablet		2019
6.5.4 Pneumocystis and toxoplasmosis
Pyrimethamine	tablet	Treatment of infections with Toxoplasma gondii , Pneumocystis jirovecii (in combination with sulfadiazine)	1998
Sulfadiazine	tablet	Treatment of toxoplasmosis (in combination with pyrimethamine)	1977
Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim ( Co-trimoxazole )	Injection, juice, tablet	Treatment of infections with Pneumocystis jirovecii	1998
Pentamidine (complementary)	tablet	Treatment of infections with Toxoplasma gondii and / or Pneumocystis jirovecii	1998
6.5.5 Trypanosomiasis
6.5.5.1 African trypanosomiasis
Fexinidazole	tablet	First and second stage of African trypanosomiasis , primarily infection with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense	2019
First stage of African trypanosomiasis
Pentamidine	Powder for injection	First stage of African trypanosomiasis , primarily infection with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense	1977
Suramin	Powder for injection	First stage of African trypanosomiasis, exclusive to infection with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense	1979
Second stage of African trypanosomiasis
Eflornithine	injection	Second stage of African trypanosomiasis, secondary treatment for infections with Trypanosoma brucei gambiense	1992
Melarsoprol	injection	Second stage of African trypanosomiasis	1977
Nifurtimox	tablet	Second stage of African trypanosomiasis, only in combination with eflornithine
Melarsoprol (complementary)	injection	Second stage of African trypanosomiasis	2019
6.5.5.2 American trypanosomiasis
Benznidazole	tablet	Trypanosoma cruzi ( Chagas disease ) infection	1988
Nifurtimox	tablet	Chagas disease	1977
6.6 Active substances against ectoparasitic infections
Ivermectin	tablet		2019

7 migraine drugs

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
7.1 Therapy of an acute migraine attack
Acetylsalicylic acid	tablet	acute migraine attack	1988
Ibuprofen	tablet	acute migraine attack	2007
Paracetamol	Juice, tablet	acute migraine attack	1988
7.2 Migraine prophylaxis
Propranolol	tablet	Migraine prophylaxis	1990

8 Antineoplastic Agents and Immunosuppressants

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
8.1 Immunosuppressive agents
Adalimumab (complementary)	injection		2019
Azathioprine (complementary)	Powder for injection, tablet	Prevention of transplant rejection . Second choice drug for chronic inflammatory diseases	2002
Ciclosporin (complementary)	Capsule, concentrate for injection	Prevention of transplant rejection	1992
8.2 Cytostatic agents for chemotherapy
8.2.1 Cytotoxic agents
Arsenic (III) oxide (complementary)	Concentrate for injection	Treatment of promyelocytic leukemia	2019
Asparaginase (complementary)	Powder for injection	Cytostatic agent for the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia in childhood.	1995
Bendamustine (complementary)	injection	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia , follicular lymphoma	2015
Bleomycin (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of various cancers including Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas , head and neck cancers , cervical cancers , testicular tumors, and others	1977
Calcium folinate (complementary)	Injection, tablet	High dosage or overdose of methotrexate ( folate rescue ). With fluorouracil as a palliative treatment for advanced colorectal cancer	1977
Capecitabine (complementary)	tablet	Colon cancer, rectal cancer, metastatic breast and colorectal cancer
Carboplatin (complementary)	injection	(replaces cisplatin)	2009
Chlorambucil (complementary)	tablet	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia , Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas , ovarian carcinoma , Waldenström's disease	1999
Cisplatin (complementary)	injection	Non-small cell lung cancer , osteosarcoma , germ cell tumors . As a radiosensitizer for cervical cancer , head and neck cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer .
Cyclophosphamide (complementary)	Powder for injection, tablet	Treatment of various types of cancer including malignant lymphoma , leukemia , multiple myeloma , ovarian cancer , breast cancer	1977
Cytarabine (complementary)	Powder for injection	Antimetabolite used to treat various forms of cancer	1979
Dacarbazine (complementary)	Powder for injection	Palliative treatment of metastatic melanoma , part of the ABVD treatment regimen for Hodgkin's lymphoma	1990
Dactinomycin (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of various childhood cancers, including trophoblastic tumors, Wilms' tumor , Ewing's sarcoma , rhabdomyosarcoma	1985
Daunorubicin (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of various forms of cancer, especially acute leukemia	2000
Docetaxel (complementary)	injection		2011
Doxorubicin (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of various forms of cancer, including acute leukemia, carcinomas of the breast , bladder , ovaries and thyroid , lymphomas , sarcomas	1977
Etoposide (complementary)	Capsule, injection	Treatment of various forms of cancer, including testicular and lung cancer	1985
Fludarabine (complementary)	Powder for injection, tablet	Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Fluorouracil (complementary)	injection	Treatment of various cancers including colorectal cancer , breast cancer, stomach cancer , head and neck cancer	1977
Gemcitabine (complementary)	Powder for injection	Ovarian cancer , non-small cell lung cancer
Hydroxycarbamide (complementary)	Capsule, tablet		2009
Ifosfamide (complementary)	Powder for injection		2009
Irinotecan (complementary)	injection	Metastatic colorectal cancer
Melphalan (complementary)	Tablet, powder for injection	Treatment of multiple myelomas	2019
Mercaptopurine (complementary)	tablet	Treatment of leukemia	1985
Methotrexate (complementary)	Powder for injection, tablet	Treatment of various forms of cancer	1977
Oxaliplatin (complementary)	Injection, powder for injection	Different types of colon cancer
Paclitaxel (complementary)	Powder for injection		2011
Pegaspargase (complementary)	injection	Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia	2019
Procarbazine (complementary)	capsule	Combination therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma	1979
Realgar - Indigo (complementary)	tablet	Treatment of promyelocytic leukemia	2019
Tioguanine (complementary)	Tablet or capsule		2011
Vinblastine (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of leukemia and lymphoma, as well as some solid tumors such as breast and lung cancer	1985
Vincristine (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of leukemia and lymphoma, as well as some solid tumors such as breast and lung cancer	1977
Vinorelbine (complementary)	injection	Breast cancer , non-small cell lung cancer
8.2.2 Targeted Therapy
Bortezomib (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of multiple myelomas	2019
Dasatinib (complementary)	tablet	Imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia	2017
Erlotinib (complementary)	tablet	Treatment of the EGFR T790M mutation	2019
Imatinib (complementary)	tablet	Chronic myeloid leukemia , gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Nilotinib (complementary)	capsule	Imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia	2017
Rituximab (complementary)	injection	Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma , chronic lymphocytic leukemia , follicular lymphoma
Trastuzumab (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of early forms and metastatic HER2 -positive breast cancer	2015
Tretinoin (complementary)	capsule	acute promyelocytic leukemia	2015
8.2.3 immunomodulators
Filgrastim (complementary)	injection
Lenalidomide (complementary)	capsule	Treatment of multiple myelomas	2019
Nivolumab (complementary)	Concentrate for infusion	Treatment of malignant melanoma	2019
Thalidomide (complementary)	capsule	Treatment of multiple myelomas	2019
8.2.4 Hormones and anti- hormones
Abiraterone (complementary)	tablet	Treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer	2019
Anastrozole (complementary)	tablet	Breast cancer , early and metastatic stages
Bicalutamide (complementary)	tablet	Metastatic prostate cancer
Dexamethasone (complementary)	Injection, juice, tablet	Palliative use in advanced cancer as adjuvant therapy	k. A.
Hydrocortisone (complementary)	Powder for injection	Synthetic hormone, adjuvant treatment of malignant tumors	2003
Leuprorelin (complementary)	injection	Breast cancer , early and metastatic stages
Methylprednisolone (complementary)	injection	adjuvant treatment	2011
Prednisolone (complementary)	Juice, tablet	In combination with cytostatics for acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia as well as lymphomas	1985
Tamoxifen (complementary)	tablet	Selective estrogen receptor modulator (antiestrogen) for the treatment of breast cancer	1985
8.2.5 Supporting agents
Allopurinol (complementary)	tablet		2009
Mesna (complementary)	Injection, tablet		2009
Zoledronic acid (complementary)	Infusion (concentrate)	Malignant diseases of the skeleton	2017

9 Parkinson's Drugs

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
Biperiden	Injection, tablet	Treatment of parkinsonism , including drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms	1977
Levodopa + carbidopa	tablet	Combination treatment for Parkinson's disease	1977

10 drugs of hematology

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
10.1 Treatment of anemia
Iron salts	Juice, tablet	Iron Deficiency Anemia , Diet Supplements	1977
Iron salts + folic acid	tablet	Food supplements during pregnancy , iron deficiency anemia	1985
Folic acid	tablet	Treatment of folic acid deficiency ( megaloblastic anemia )	1977
Hydroxycobalamin	injection	Treatment of pernicious anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency	1977
Erythropoiesis-stimulating substances (complementary)	Pre-filled syringe	Chronic kidney failure anemia applies to: epoetin alfa, beta and theta, darbepoetin alfa, methoxypolyethylene glycol-epoetin beta and corresponding biosimilars	2017
10.2 Drugs that modify blood clotting
Dabigatran	capsule		2019
Enoxaparin	injection	Alternatively: nadroparin or dalteparin
Heparin Sodium	injection	Short-acting anticoagulant for the treatment and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism	1977
Phytomenadione	Injection, tablet	Prevention of vitamin K deficiency-related bleeding in the newborn, correction of blood coagulation during therapy with vitamin K antagonists	1979
Protamine sulfate	injection	Antidote for heparin overdose	1979
Tranexamic acid	injection	To inhibit fibrinolysis	2011
Warfarin	tablet	Oral anticoagulation . Prophylaxis of embolizations , e.g. in the case of atrial fibrillation , after the implantation of artificial heart valves , treatment of venous thrombi and pulmonary embolism , use after a transitory ischemic attack	1977
Desmopressin (complementary)	Injection, nasal spray		2019
Heparin sodium (complementary)	injection	Short-acting anticoagulant for the treatment and prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism	1977
Protamine sulfate (complementary)	injection	Antidote for heparin overdose	1979
Warfarin (complementary)	tablet	Oral anticoagulation . Prophylaxis of embolizations , e.g. in the case of atrial fibrillation , after the implantation of artificial heart valves , treatment of venous thrombi and pulmonary embolism , use after a transitory ischemic attack	1977
10.3 Treatment of hemoglobinopathies
Deferoxamine (complementary)	Powder for injection	alternatively deferasirox	2011
Hydroxycarbamide (complementary)	Capsule, tablet		2011

11 Blood Products and Plasma Substitutes

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
11.1 Blood and Blood Components
Blood plasma
Platelet rich plasma
Erythrocyte
blood
11.2 Plasma Preparations
11.2.1 Antibodies
Anti-D immunoglobulin	injection	Prevention of antibody formation against Rh factor positive blood in Rh negative patients	1977
Rabies immunoglobulin	injection	Post exposure prophylaxis
Tetanus immunoglobulin	injection	Passive immunization against tetanus ( tetanus ) in wounds with a corresponding risk	1985
Human immunoglobulin (complementary)	intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous injection	Treatment of congenital immune deficiencies , immune modulation in autoimmune diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome or Kawasaki syndrome	2007
11.2.2 Coagulation factors
Factor VIII concentrate (complementary)	Powder for injection	Replacement of factor VIII deficiency in haemophilia A.	1979
Factor IX concentrate (complementary)	Powder for injection	Bleeding due to a lack of coagulation factors II , VII , IX , X ; Replacement of factor IX deficiency in hemophilia B	1979
11.3 Plasma substitutes
Dextran 70	Solution for injection	Colloidal solution for infusion to increase plasma volume ; alternatively polygelin	1977

12 Cardiovascular Drugs

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
12.1 Medicines for the treatment of angina pectoris
Bisoprolol	tablet	(alternatively Carvedilol or Metoprolol )	2011
Glyceryl trinitrate	Sublingual tablet	Treatment of acute angina pectoris	1977
Isosorbide dinitrate	Sublingual tablet	Prophylaxis and treatment of angina pectoris	1977
Verapamil	tablet	Treatment of angina pectoris	1983
12.2 Antiarrhythmics
Bisoprolol	tablet	(alternatively Carvedilol or Metoprolol , 1992 to 2011 Atenolol )	2011
Digoxin	Injection, juice, tablet	Treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias , especially atrial fibrillation	1998
adrenaline	injection	Cardiopulmonary resuscitation	1998
Lidocaine	injection	Treatment of ventricular arrhythmias	1977
Verapamil	Injection, tablet	Treatment of supraventricular tachycardia	1988
Amiodarone (complementary)	Injection, tablet	(Treatment of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias)	2009
12.3 Drugs for the treatment of arterial hypertension
Amlodipine	tablet	Calcium antagonist used to treat arterial hypertension	2005
Bisoprolol	tablet	Beta blockers for the treatment of arterial hypertension (alternatively carvedilol or metoprolol , 1992 to 2011 atenolol )	2011
Enalapril	tablet	ACE inhibitors used to treat arterial hypertension	2003
Hydralazine	Powder for injection, tablet	Treatment of high blood pressure in pregnancy	1977
Hydrochlorothiazide	Juice, capsule, tablet	Thiazide diuretic used to treat arterial hypertension	1977
Lisinopril + amlodipine	tablet		2019
Lisinopril + hydrochlorothiazide	tablet		2019
Losartan	tablet	AT 1 antagonist for the treatment of high blood pressure .	2017
Methyldopa	tablet	Treatment of high blood pressure in pregnancy	1998
Telmisartan + amlodipine	tablet		2019
Telmisartan + hydrochlorothiazide	tablet		2019
Sodium nitroprusside (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of the hypertensive crisis	1988
12.4 Heart Failure Drugs
Bisoprolol	tablet	(alternatively Carvedilol or Metoprolol )	2011
Digoxin	Injection, juice, tablet	Cardiac glycoside, used to treat heart failure	1977
Enalapril	tablet	ACE inhibitors used to treat heart failure	2003
Furosemide	Injection, juice, tablet	Loop diuretic used to treat heart failure	2005
Hydrochlorothiazide	Capsule, juice, tablet	Thiazide diuretic used to treat heart failure	1988
Losartan	tablet	AT 1 antagonist for the treatment of heart failure
Spironolactone	tablet	Potassium sparing diuretic used to treat elevated aldosterone levels and to treat heart failure	2013
Dopamine (complementary)	injection	Treatment of severe cardiogenic shock	1977
12.5 Antithrombotic Drugs
12.5.1 Anti- platelet drugs
Acetylsalicylic acid	tablet	Prevention of platelet aggregation, prophylaxis in circulatory disorders of the brain and coronary artery disease	1992
Clopidogrel	tablet	Inhibition of platelet aggregation
12.5.2 Thrombolytic Drugs
Alteplase (complementary)	Powder for injection		2019
Streptokinase (complementary)	Powder for injection	Treatment of acute myocardial infarction , leg vein thrombosis , pulmonary embolism and thrombosed shunts	1992
12.6 Lipid lowering agents
Simvastatin	tablet	Treatment of high cholesterol in high- risk patients	2007

13 Dermatological Medicines for Topical Use

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
13.1 Anti-fungal agents ( antimycotics )
Miconazole	Ointment, cream	Treatment of superficial fungal infections	1977
Sodium thiosulfate	solution	Treatment of pityriasis versicolor	1992
Selenium disulfide	suspension	Treatment of pityriasis versicolor and seborrheic dermatitis	1990
Terbinafine	Ointment , cream		2011
13.2 Active ingredients against infections
Mupirocin	Ointment, cream		2011
Potassium permanganate	Aqueous solution	Moist dressings for the healing of purulent wounds, tropical ulcers , tinea , diseases of the pemphigus group and impetigo contagiosa	1997
Silver sulfadiazine	cream	Prophylaxis and treatment of infections in burns	1988
13.3 Active substances against inflammation and itching
Betamethasone	Ointment, cream	Potent topical corticosteroid , used in severe inflammatory skin conditions such as contact dermatitis , eczema , seborrheic dermatitis , lichen planus , persistent itching , psoriasis	1977
Calamine	lotion	Treatment of mild itching	1983
Hydrocortisone	Ointment, cream	Mild topical corticosteroid	1977
13.4 Active ingredients that affect skin differentiation and proliferation
Benzoyl peroxide	Lotion, cream	Treatment of acne vulgaris	1990
Coal tar	solution	Treatment of psoriasis	1977
Fluorouracil	ointment	Treatment of warts on the soles of the feet	1990
Podophyllum	solution	Treatment of warts on the genital area and the soles of the feet	1985
Salicylic acid	solution	Treatment of warts on the soles of the feet	1979
urea	Ointment, cream	Keratolytic and Hautanfeuchtendes agents in dry, cracked and itchy skin conditions	1997
13.5 Remedies for lice and scabies
Benzyl benzoate	lotion	Treatment of scabies and lice on the head, trunk and pubic hair (alternatives are crotamiton , lindane , malathion and thiabendazole )	1979
Permethrin	Cream, lotion	Treatment of scabies and lice	1977

14 Diagnostic Tools

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
14.1 Active ingredients in ophthalmology
Fluorescein	eye drop	Diagnosis of lesions and foreign objects in the eye	1979
Tropicamide	eye drop	Short-acting mydriatic for an ophthalmoscope	1988
14.2 Contrast Media
Amidotrizoic acid	injection	Ionic iodine-containing contrast agent for the representation of blood vessels , urinary and biliary tract and joints .	1977
Barium sulfate	Aqueous suspension	Barium-containing contrast agent to visualize the gastrointestinal tract (single and double contrast methods , computer tomography )	1977
Iohexol	injection	Non-ionic iodine-containing contrast agent	2000
Barium sulfate (complementary)	Aqueous solution	Barium-containing contrast agent to visualize the gastrointestinal tract (single and double contrast methods , computer tomography )	1977
Iotroxate dimeglumine (complementary)	solution	Contrast media	1985

15 disinfectants

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
15.1 Antiseptics
Chlorhexidine	solution	Antiseptic , disinfection of clean instruments	1979
Ethanol	solution	Skin disinfection before injections and vascular punctures as well as surgical procedures	2000
Povidone iodine	solution	Skin disinfection, antiseptic	1979
15.2 Disinfectants
Alcoholic hand rub	solution	Skin disinfection with 80% ethanol or 75% isopropanol
In chlorine -based agent	powder	Disinfection of surfaces and instruments	1992
Chloroxylenol	solution	Disinfection of surfaces and instruments	1998
Glutaral	solution	Disinfection and sterilization of instruments and surfaces	1992

16 diuretics

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
Amiloride	tablet	Potassium sparing diuretic ; Use in edema due to heart failure , liver cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome , as an addition to a thiazide or loop diuretic	1979
Furosemide	Injection, juice, tablet	Potent loop diuretic ; Use in edema	1977
Hydrochlorothiazide	capsule	Thiazide diuretic	1977
Mannitol	injection	Osmotic diuretic ; Use in cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure	1988
Spironolactone	tablet	Potassium sparing diuretic ; Areas of application are edema due to heart failure , liver cirrhosis , ascites in tumors, nephrotic syndrome and primary hyperaldosteronism	1977
Hydrochlorothiazide (complementary)	tablet	Thiazide diuretic	1977
Mannitol (complementary)	injection	Osmotic diuretic ; Use in cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure	1988
Spironolactone (complementary)	Juice, tablet	Potassium sparing diuretic ; Areas of application are edema due to heart failure , liver cirrhosis , ascites in tumors, nephrotic syndrome and primary hyperaldosteronism	1977

17 Gastrointestinal Drugs

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
Pancreatic enzymes (complementary)	age dependent		2019
17.1 Antacids and anti-gastric agents
Omeprazole	Powder for injection, solid or liquid oral forms	(Treatment of ulcer diseases)	2009
Ranitidine	Injection, juice, tablet	Treatment of ulcer diseases ( stomach ulcer , duodenal ulcer )	2003
17.2 Active ingredients against nausea (anti- emetics )
Dexamethasone	Injection, capsule, juice, tablet		2009
Metoclopramide	Injection, juice, tablet	Treatment of nausea and vomiting for gastrointestinal diseases, migraines or radio / chemotherapy	1985
Ondansetron	Injection, capsule, juice, tablet		2009
Aprepitant (complementary)	Capsule, soluble powder as juice		2019
17.3 Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Sulfasalazine	Enema, tablet, suppository	Treatment and maintenance of remission of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases ( Crohn's disease , ulcerative colitis )	1988
Hydrocortisone (complementary)	Enema, suppository	Treatment of ulcerative colitis	1988
17.4 Laxatives
Senna	tablet	Treating constipation ( constipation )	1977
05.17 medicines for the treatment of diarrhea ( diarrhea )
Zinc sulfate	Soluble powder, capsule, tablet	Complementary treatment for acute and chronic diarrhea in children	2005
17.5.1 Oral rehydration
Oral rehydration salts	Soluble powder	Replacement of water and electrolyte losses in acute diarrheal diseases	k. A.
17.5.2 Drugs for treating diarrhea
Zinc sulfate	Capsule, tablet	Complementary treatment for acute and chronic diarrhea in children	2005

18 hormones, endocrine active drugs and contraceptives

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
18.1 Adrenal Hormones and Synthetic Substitutes
Fludrocortisone	tablet	(Artificial mineralocorticoid to compensate for an aldosterone deficiency)	2009
Hydrocortisone	tablet		2009
18.2 Androgens
Testosterone (complementary)	injection	Underactive gonads ( hypogonadism )	1977
18.3 Estrogens
18.4 Progestagens
Medroxyprogesterone acetate	tablet	Treatment of benign bleeding disorders of the uterus, endometriosis	1995
18.5 Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus
18.5.1 insulins
insulin	injection	Treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus	1977
Intermediate insulin ( NPH insulin , zinc insulin )	injection	Treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus	1985
18.5.2 Oral hypoglycemic agents
Gliclazide	Capsule, tablet	Treatment of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus ; Replacement for glibenclamide as this is not suitable for patients over 60 years of age	2013
Metformin	tablet	Treatment of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus	1998
Metformin (complementary)	tablet	Treatment of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus	1998
18.6 hypoglycemia
Glucagon	injection	(Treatment of hypoglycaemia )	2011
Diazoxide (complementary)	Juice, tablet		2019
18.7 Thyroid Medicines
L-thyroxine	tablet	Therapy of underactive thyroid ( hypothyroidism )	1977
Potassium iodide	tablet	Thyrotoxic crisis	1979
Propylthiouracil	tablet	Therapy of overactive thyroid gland ( hyperthyroidism )	1979
Thiamazole	tablet		2019
Iodine potassium iodide solution (complementary)	juice		2009
Potassium iodide (complementary)	tablet		2019
Propylthiouracil (complementary)	tablet	Therapy of overactive thyroid gland ( hyperthyroidism )	1979
Thiamazole (complementary)	tablet		2019

19 Immunologically effective drugs

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
19.1 Diagnostic agents
Tuberculin test with purified tuberculin	injection	Intradermal injection as a diagnostic test for tuberculin response	1977
19.2 Antisera and Immunoglobulins
Antivenome -immunoglobulin	injection	Neutralization of snake poisons in patients who show symptoms of the disease ( blood clotting disorders , shock , nerve damage , muscle damage , kidney damage , pronounced swelling, rapid spread of symptoms). The antidotes must be adapted to the local snake population.	1977
Diphtheria antitoxin	injection	Passive immunization in cases of suspected diphtheria	1977
19.3 Vaccines
Vaccines against tuberculosis ( Bacillus Calmette-Guérin ), cholera , diphtheria , dengue fever , encephalitis , hepatitis A , hepatitis B , Haemophilus influenzae , human papillomaviruses , influenza , Japanese encephalitis , Measles , Meningococcal , mumps , pertussis , pneumococci , polio , rabies , rotavirus , Rubella , tetanus , typhus , varicella , yellow fever

20 muscle relaxants and cholinesterase inhibitors

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
Atracurium	injection	(non-depolarizing muscle relaxant in surgical procedures )	2011
Neostigmine	Injection, tablet	Antagonizing nondepolarizing muscle relaxants; Treatment of myasthenia gravis	1977
Suxamethonium	Injection, powder for injection	Depolarizing muscle relaxant	1977
Vecuronium	Powder for injection	nondepolarizing muscle relaxant in surgical procedures	1993
Pyridostigmine (complementary)	Injection, tablet	Treatment of myasthenia gravis ; Antagonization of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants	1979
Vecuronium (complementary)	Powder for injection	nondepolarizing muscle relaxant in surgical procedures	1993

21 preparations for ophthalmology

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
21.1 Active ingredients against infections
Acyclovir	ointment	Treatment of herpes-related inflammation of the cornea ( keratitis ) and systemic infections	2007
Erythromycin	ointment	Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoea infections
Azithromycin	eye drop	bacterial infections of the eye	2013
Gentamicin	eye drop	bacterial infections of the conjunctiva ( conjunctivitis ), inflammation of the eyelids ( blepharitis )	1990
Natamycin	eye drop		2017
Ofloxacin	eye drop	bacterial infections of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis), inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis)	2013
Tetracycline	Eye ointment	Superficial bacterial infections of the eye, treatment of trachoma , prophylaxis of gonoblennorrhea in the newborn	1977
21.2 Anti-inflammatory agents
Prednisolone	eye drop	short-term treatment of inflammation of the eye	1990
21.3 Local anesthetics
Tetracaine	eye drop	Surface anesthesia of the eyelid and conjunctiva	1977
21.4 Miotics and active ingredients for the treatment of glaucoma
Acetazolamide	tablet	Treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma , treatment of acute narrow-angle glaucoma	1977
Latanoprost	eye drop	Treatment of glaucoma , increased pressure in the eye	2013
Pilocarpine	eye drop	Treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma, treatment of acute narrow-angle glaucoma, antagonization of mydriatic drugs	1977
Timolol	eye drop	Increased intraocular pressure, chronic open-angle glaucoma, secondary glaucoma	1985
21.5 Mydriatics
Atropine	eye drop	Long-acting therapeutic mydriatic	1977
Adrenaline (complementary)	eye drop	Reduction of eye pressure, mydriatic . Use in cases of increased eye pressure, chronic open-angle glaucoma	1979
21.6 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Bevacizumab (complementary)	injection	age- related macular degeneration	2013

22 Reproductive Health and Perinatal Care

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
22.1 Contraceptives
22.1.1 Oral contraceptives
Ethinyl estradiol + levonorgestrel	tablet	Oral contraception ( birth control pills )	1979
Ethinyl estradiol + norethisterone	tablet	Oral contraception	1977
Levonorgestrel	tablet	Oral contraception. Emergency oral contraception	1997
Ulipristal	tablet	Emergency oral contraception	2017
22.1.2 Injectable contraceptives
Estradiol 17β-cipionate + medroxyprogesterone acetate	injection	Short-term (progesterone / estrogen) contraception	2007
Medroxyprogesterone acetate	Depot injection	Long-acting contraception	1985
Norethisterone enanthate	solution	Long-acting contraception	1985
22.1.3 intrauterine device
Intrauterine device containing copper		( Intrauterine ) contraception	1988
Levonorgestrel- releasing intrauterine device		( Intrauterine ) contraception
22.1.4 Mechanical contraception
condom		Mechanical contraception	1988
Diaphragm		Mechanical contraception	1988
22.1.5 Implantable Contraceptives
Etonogestrel -releasing implant		Long-term contraception ( progestin- based)
Levonorgestrel -releasing implant		Long-term contraception (progestin-based)	k. A.
22.1.6 Intravaginal contraceptives
Progesterone vaginal ring		For contraception during breastfeeding
22.2 Induction of Ovulation
Clomiphene (complementary)	tablet		2019
22.3 Oxytocins
Carbetocin	injection		2019
Ergometrist	injection	Induction or intensification of labor , treatment of bleeding after childbirth, as an alternative or in addition to oxytocin	1977
Mifepristone + misoprostol	tablet	Termination of pregnancy ("Where permitted by law and culturally accepted")	2005
Misoprostol	Tablet, vaginal tablet	Induction of timely contractions, abortion expulsion	2005
Oxytocin	injection	Induction or intensification of labor, treatment of bleeding after childbirth	1977
22.4 labor inhibitors ( tocolytics )
Nifedipine	capsule	Prevention of Premature Labor	2005
22.5 Medicines for the mother
Dexamethasone	injection		2013
Tranexamic acid	injection		2019
22.6 Medicines for the newborn
Caffeine citrate	Injection, juice		2007
Chlorhexidine	Solution or gel	Care of the umbilical cord	2013
Ibuprofen (complementary)	Solution for injection		2009
Prostaglandins E1 and E2 (complementary)	Solution for injection		2009
Surfactant (complementary)	Solution for intratracheal instillation		2009

23 Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
intraperitoneal dialysis solution (complementary)	Solution of adequate composition	Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance in patients with acute or chronic kidney failure	1977

24 psychotropic drugs

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
24.1 Antipsychotic Drugs
Chlorpromazine	Injection, juice, tablet	Treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses	1977
Fluphenazine	injection	Maintenance treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses	1977
Haloperidol	Injection, tablet	Schizophrenia and other psychoses, mania , psychomotor restlessness and aggressive behavior , in combination therapy for severe anxiety disorders	1977
Risperidone	Capsule, tablet	Treatment of schizophrenia	2013
Chlorpromazine (complementary)	Injection, juice, tablet	Treatment of schizophrenia and other psychoses	1977
Clozapine (complementary)	Capsule, tablet	Treatment of therapy-resistant psychoses	2013
Haloperidol (complementary)	Injection, juice, capsule	Schizophrenia and other psychoses, mania , psychomotor restlessness and aggressive behavior , in combination therapy for severe anxiety disorders	1977
24.2 Medicines for mood disorders
24.2.1 Treatment of Depression
Amitriptyline	tablet	Tricyclic antidepressant used to treat moderate and severe depression , neuropathic pain	1977
Fluoxetine	Capsule, tablet	Treatment of moderate and severe depression	2007
Fluoxetine (complementary)	Capsule, tablet	Treatment of moderate and severe depression	2007
24.2.2 Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Carbamazepine	tablet	Prophylaxis of bipolar disorder in the absence of response to lithium	1998
Lithium carbonate	Capsule, tablet	Prophylaxis and treatment of bipolar (manic-depressive) disorders	1977
Valproic acid	tablet	Treatment of Manic Episodes of Bipolar Disorder	1998
24.3 Medication for Anxiety
Diazepam	tablet	Long-acting benzodiazepine for releasing anxiety ( anxiolysis ) and promoting sleep	1977
24.4 Medication for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Clomipramine	capsule	Control of panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder	1995
24.5 Medication for addictions
Nicotine replacement therapy	Chewing gum, band-aid		2009
Methadone (complementary)	juice	Treatment of opioid dependence as part of fixed programs (alternatively buprenorphine )	2005

25 Substances effective in the respiratory tract

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
25.1 Drugs for the treatment of bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Beclometasone	Inhalation as an aerosol	Inhaled corticosteroid for use in bronchial asthma and COPD	1990
Budesonide	Inhalation as an aerosol	(Inhaled corticosteroid for use in bronchial asthma and COPD)	2009
Budesonide + formoterol	Powder for inhalation
adrenaline	injection	Treatment of acute asthma attacks when beta-2 sympathomimetics have failed	1977
Ipratropium bromide	Inhalation as an aerosol	Chronic bronchial asthma, COPD	1998
Salbutamol	Inhalation (aerosol, nebulizer), injection	Therapy and prophylaxis of bronchial asthma and other airway obstruction	1977
Tiotropium	Inhalation powder or solution, capsule		2019

26 solutions for the treatment of disorders of the water, electrolyte and acid-base balance

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
26.1 Peroral
Oral rehydration salts	soluble powder	Replacement of salt and water loss in diarrhea (diarrhea)	k. A.
Potassium chloride	soluble powder	Avoidance and treatment of potassium deficiency , especially with diuretic therapy	1977
26.2 Parenteral
glucose	Solution for injection	Fluid replacement with normal electrolyte concentrations, treatment of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)	1977
Glucose with sodium chloride	Solution for injection	Fluid and electrolyte replacement	1979
Potassium chloride	Solution for injection	Prevention and treatment of potassium deficiency	1977
Sodium chloride	Solution for injection	Infusion therapy for fluid and electrolyte replacement	1977
Sodium hydrogen carbonate	Solution for injection	Treatment of Metabolic Acidosis	1977
Sodium lactate , combination solution	Solution for injection	Infusion therapy before and during surgery , volume deficiency shock	1977
26.3 Miscellaneous
Water for injections	injection	For dissolving and diluting, filled into ampoules.	1977

27 vitamins and minerals

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)	tablet	Prophylaxis and therapy of scurvy	1979
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D 3 )	Capsule, juice, tablet		2011
Ergocalciferol (vitamin D 2 )	Capsule, juice, tablet	Prophylaxis and therapy of vitamin D deficiency in malabsorption or chronic liver diseases, calcium deficiency in hypoparathyroidism	1977
Iodine	iodinated oil, capsule	Goiter prophylaxis in iodine deficient areas where the need is not covered by iodine salt	1990
Nicotinamide (vitamin B 3 )	tablet	Prophylaxis and therapy of nicotinamide deficiency	1977
Multi-micronutrient powder	Sachet	contains iron, zinc and vitamin A.	2019
Pyridoxine (vitamin B 6 )	tablet	Treatment of pyroxidine deficiency due to metabolic diseases, nerve damage from isoniazid , sideroblastic anemia	1979
Retinol (vitamin A)	Capsule, oily drink solution, tablet, water-miscible injection	Prophylaxis and therapy of retinol deficiency, avoidance of complications of measles	1977
Riboflavin (vitamin B 2 )	tablet	Therapy of riboflavin deficiency	1977
Sodium fluoride	topical formulation	Prevention of tooth decay	1979
Thiamine (vitamin B 1 )	tablet	Prophylaxis and therapy of thiamine deficiency	1977
Calcium gluconate (complementary)	injection	Therapy of tetany due to calcium deficiency	1998

28 Treatment of ENT diseases in childhood

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
acetic acid	Topical formulation		2009
Budesonide	Nasal spray		2009
Ciprofloxacin	Topical formulation		2009
Xylometazoline	Nasal spray		2009

29 active ingredients for joint diseases

Surname	recommended form of application	World Health Organization indications	Year of admission
29.1 Active ingredients for the treatment of gout
Allopurinol	tablet	Treatment of gout	1977
29.2 Basic therapy for rheumatic diseases
Chloroquine	tablet	Treatment of the progression of diseases of the rheumatic type	1998
Azathioprine (complementary)	tablet	Second-line drug if another drug is not effective	1998
Hydroxychloroquine (complementary)	capsule	Alternative to chloroquine	2011
Methotrexate (complementary)	tablet	Immunosuppressant , diseases of the rheumatic type	1998
Penicillamine (complementary)	Capsule or tablet	Treatment of the progression of diseases of the rheumatic type	1998
Sulfasalazine (complementary)	tablet	Treatment of the progression of severe rheumatoid arthritis	1998
29.3 Treatment of juvenile joint disease
Acetylsalicylic acid (complementary)	Tablet, suppository	rheumatic fever, youth rheumatism, Kawasaki syndrome	2013

Notes and references

1. ↑ For the explanations cf. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. 16th list, March 2009. Explanatory Notes.
2. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj} Marking with the square box symbol (□): It is also possible to use an alternative active ingredient with comparable therapeutic properties and the same safety in use. This should be determined when the list is adopted and adapted to national circumstances based on these considerations and based on the price and availability.
3. ↑ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm} There is no indication in the WHO database listed
4. ↑ Due to the specific indications, no such individual or other details are listed in the WHO database. The list is based on recommendations of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) or WHO position papers . The choice of vaccines should be based on the epidemiology of the diseases, national priorities and international recommendations.

literature

All data in the article are based on the original English list, the contents of which are also recorded in the WHO online database:

• WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. 15th list, March 2007. ( PDF, 370 kB )
• WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. 16th list, March 2009. ( PDF, 670 kB )
• WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. 17th list, March 2011. ( PDF, 431 kB )
• WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. 18th list, April 2013. (PDF)
• WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. 19th list, April 2015. ( PDF )
• WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. 20th list, March 2017, including corrections from August 2017 ( PDF )
• WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. 21th list, June 2019 ( PDF )

Others

The pharmaceutical company Ciba-Geigy took the creation of the first list in 1977 as an opportunity to found its own generic line ( Servipharm ).

Web links

Commons : World Health Organization essential medicines  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• WHO Health topics - Essential medicines
• WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Milton Silverman, Mia Lydecker, Philip R. Lee: Bad Medicine: The Prescription Drug Industry in the Third World . Stanford University Press, 1992, ISBN 978-0-8047-6667-8 , pp. 165-166 ( Google Books ).
2. ↑ Milton Silverman, Mia Lydecker, Philip R. Lee: Prescriptions for Death: The Drugging of the Third World . University of California Press, 1982, ISBN 978-0-520-04721-1 ( Google Books ).

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !