LIST OF ESSENCIAL MEDICINE FOR ETHIOPIA

Introduction
Drug management requires careful evaluation of the quantities delivered and the appropriateness to
local needs of the types of medicament provided. Drug management guidelines have been drawn
up but not yet implemented. For some years an essential drugs programme has been
supported by the World Health Organization. Most diseases seen in outpatient clinics
can be treated in a standard manner on rational medical grounds. Thus, Access to
essential drugs (EDs) is fundamental to the good performance of the health care delivery system and
the provision of safe, effective and affordable EDs of good quality in the right quantity to the whole
population in particular the poor is therefore a priority in health and drug policy

Essential drugs
Antacids
1. Aluminum Hydroxide
2. Aluminum Hydroxide + Magnesium Hydroxide
3. Magnesium Hydroxide

Antiulcer Agents
4. Cimetidine
5. Omeprazole
6. Ranitidine

Antispasmodics/Spasmolytic Analgesics
7. Atropine sulphate
8. Hyoscine Butylbromide
9. Hyoscine Hydrobromide

Antiemetics
10. Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride
11. Dimenhydrinate
12. Meclizine Hydrochloride
13. Metoclopramide Hydrochloride

Cathartics and Laxatives

14. Bisacodyl
15. Castor oil
16. ,Glycerine

Available

Not
available

17. Lactulose
18. Magnesium Sulphate

Medicines Used in Diarrhea

19. Loperamide
20. Oral Rehydration Salt

Antiflatulents
21. Activated Charcoal

Antihaemorrhoidal Agents
22. Bismuth Subgallate Compound (Bismuth Subgallate + Bismuth
+Peru Balsam+ Zinc Oxide)
23. 2. Bismuth Subgallate Compound With Hydrocortisone (Bismuth
Subgallate + Bismuth Oxide + Peru Balsam
24. Zinc Oxide + Hydrocortisone Acetate + benzyl benzoate

CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINES
Medicines Used for Congestive Cardiac Failure
25. Captopril
26. Digoxin
27. Enalapril Maleate
28. Frusemide
29. Hydrochlorothiazide

Antiarrhythmics
30. Lidocaine Hydrochloride
31. Procainamide Hydrochloride
32. Propranolol Hydrochloride
33. Quinidine Sulphate
34. Verapamil

Antihypertensives
35. Diazoxide
36. Enalapril Maleate
37. Hydralazine
38. Methyldopa
39. Nifedipine
40. Propranolol

Diuretics
41. Frusemide
42. Hydrochlorthiazide
43. Mannitol
44. Spironolactone
Medicines Used for Angina/Ischemic Heart Disease
45. Atenolol
46. Glyceryl Trinitrate (Nitroglycerine)

Medicines Used in Vascular Shock

47. Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

Oxide

48. Dopamine Hydrochloride

RESPIRATORY MEDICINES
Antitussives/Expectorants
49. Dexchlorpheniramine + Guaifenesin + Pseudoephedrine
50. Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide
51. Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide + Guaicol Sulphonate
52. Diphenhydramine +Sodium Citrate + Ammonium Chloride
53. Guaifenesin

Bronchodilators/Antiasmatics
Adrenaline (Epinephrine)
54. Aminophyline
55. Beclomethasone Dipropinate
56. Ephedrine + Theophylline
57. Salbutamol
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM MEDICINES
Analgesics/Antipyretics
58. Acetylsalicylic Acid
59. Diclofecac Sodium
60. Ibuprofen
61. Morphine Hydrochloride
62. Morphine Sulphate
63. Paracetamole

Hypnotics and Anxiolytics

64. . Bromazepam
65. Diazepam

Antidepressants
66. Amitriptyline
67. Fluoxetine

Anticonvulsants
68. Carbamazepine
Diazepam
69. Ethosuximide
70. Lorazepam
71. Phenytoin (Sodium salt)
72. Phenobarbitone (Phenobarbital)
73. Sodium Valproate

Antiparkinsonian Medicines
74. Benzhexol
75. Levodopa + Carbidopa

Antipsychotic Medicines
Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride
76. Fluphenazine
77. Decanoate
78. Haloperidol

79. Risperidone

Mood Stabilizer
80. Lithium Carbonate
MEDICINES USED IN ANAESTHESIA

General Anaesthetics
81. Halothane
82. Ketamine
83. Nitrous Oxide
84. Propofol
85. Thiopental Sodium

Local Anesthetics
86. Lidocaine Hydrochloride
87. Lidocaine Hydrochloride + Adrenaline

Anaesthetic Adjuncts and Adjuvants

Atropine
Hyoscine Hydrobromide
88. Neostigmine
89. Oxygen Inhalation (Medicinal gas)

Neuromuscular Blockers
90. Pancuronium Bromide
91. Suxamethonium Chloride ( Succinylcholine)
MEDICINES USED IN MUSCULOSKELETA AND JOINT DISEASE

Antirheumatics
Acetylsalicylic acid
Diclofenac Sodium
Ibuprofen
92. Allopurinol
93. Indomethacin
Medicines used for gout
Allopurinol
indomethacin

ANTI-INFECTIVES
Antibacterial
Penicillins
94. Amoxicillin
95. Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid
96. Ampicillin
97. Cloxacillin
98. Penicillin G Benzanthin
99. Penicillin G, Sodium Crystalline
100. Procaine Penicillin Fortified (Buffered

Other Antibacterials
101.

Ceftriaxone

102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.

Chloramphenicol
Doxycycline
Erythromycin
Gentamicin
Metronidazole
Neomycin
Nitrofurantoin
Sulphamethoxazole + Trimethoprim
Tetracycline Hydrochloride

Antituberculars
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
118.

Ethambutol
Isoniazid
Pyrazinamide
Rifampicin
Rifampicin +Isoniazide
Rifampicin +Isoniazide + Pyrazinamide
Streptomycin
Rifampicin +Isoniazid+ Pyrazinamide + Ethambutol

Antileprotics
119.
Clofazimine
120.
Dapsone
Rifampicin

Antifungals
121.
Fluconazole
122.
Griseofulvin
123.
Ketoconazole
124.
Miconazole
125.
Nystatin
ANTIVIRALS

Antiretrovirals
126.
127.
128.
129.
130.
131.
132.
133.
134.
135.
136.
137.
138.
139.

Abacavir Sulphate
Didanosine
Efavirenz
Efavirenz + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir
Emtricitabine+ Tenofovir
Indinavir
Lamivudine
Lamivudine + Zidovudine
Lamivudine + Nevirapine + Stavudine
Lamivudine + Zidovudine + Nevirapine
Lopinavir +Ritonavir
Nelfinavir
Nevirapine
Ritonavir

140.
141.
142.
143.

Saquinavir
Stavudine
Tenofovir
Zidovudine

Other Antivirals
144. Acyclovir
Antiprotozoals
Antimalarials
145.
146.
147.
148.
149.

Artemether + Lumefantrine
Chloroquine Phosphate
Mefloquine Hydrochloride
Primaquine Phosphate
Quinine- Dihydrochloride

Amoebicides
150.
151.
152.

Diloxanide Furoate
Metronidazole
Tinidazole

Antigiardial Agents
153.
154.

Metronidazole
Tinidazole

Antileshmania Medicines
155.
156.
157.
158.

Amphotericin B Liposomal
Hexadecyl Phosphocholine
Pentamidine Isethionate
Sodium Stibogluconate

Trypanocides
159.
160.

Pentamidine (Isethionate)
Suramin Sodium

Medicines for Toxoplasmosis

161.
Pyrimethamine
162.
Clindamycin
163.
Sulfadoxine + Pyrimethamine
Anthelmintics

Filaricides
164.
165.

Diethyl Carbamazine Citrate

Ivermectin

Schistosomicides
166.

Praziquantel

Other Anthelmintics
167.
168.
169.
170.

Albendazol
Levamisole
Mebendazole
Niclosamide

171.
Piperazine
172.
Pyrantel Pamoate
173. Thiabendazole
MEDICINES USED IN ENDOCRINE DISORDER
CONTRACEPTIVES

AND

Corticosteroidal Preparations
174.
175.
176.

Dexamethasone
Hydrocortisone
Prednisolone

Thyroid Hormones and Antithyroid Agents

177.
178.
179.

Aqueous Iodine Solution (Iodine +

Propylthiouracil
Thyroxine

Potassium Iodide)

Insulin and Oral Antidiabetic Agents

180.
181.
182.

Glibenclamide
Insulin
Metformin

Female Sex Hormone Preparations

183.
184.

Norethindrone (Norethisterone)
Hydroxyprogesterone

Combined Oral Contraceptives

185.
186.

Levonorgestrel (D- Norgestrel) +Ethinylestradiol with/without Iron

Norethindrone (Norethisterone) + Ethinylestradiol

Progestrone Only Contraceptives

187.
188.
189.

Leovonorgestrel (D-Nongestrel)
Medroxyprogesterone
Norethindrone

Contraceptive Devices, and Barriers

190. 1. Condoms (Male, Female)
191. 2. Copper T380 A
OBSTETRIC AND GYNAECOLOGICAL MEDICATIONS
Clotrimazole
192.
Ergometrin
193.
Magnesium Sulphate
194. Metronidazole
195.
Misoprostol
196.
Oxytocin
197.
Pethidine Hydrochloride

ANTINEOPLASTIC AND RELATED AGENTS

198.
199.
200.
201.

Bleomycin
Busulfan
Calcium Folinate
Cisplatin

202.
203.
204.
205.
206.
207.
208.

Cyclophosphamide
Doxorubicin
Fluorouracil
Methotrexate
Ondansentrone
Tamoxifen Citrate
Vincristine Sulphate

BLOOD PRODUCTS AND MEDICINES AFFECTING THE

BLOOD
Anticoagulants
209.
210.

Heparin
Warfarin Sodium

Hemostatic Agents
211.

Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1)

Antianemic Agents
212.
213.
214.
215.
216.

Cyanocobalamine (Vitamin B12)

Ferrous Salt
Ferrous Salt + Folic Acid
Folinic Acid
Iron Complex

Antiplatelate
217. Acetylsalicylic Acid (enteric coated)
MEDICINES USED FOR CORRECTING WATER, ELECTROLYTE AND
ACID BASE BALANCE
Oral
218. Ammonium Chloride
219.
Calcium Gluconate
220.
Oral Rehydration
221.
Potassium Chloride
222.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Parenteral
223.
Calcium Gluconate
224.
Dextran (MW 70,000)
225.
Dextrose
226.
Potassium Chloride
227.
Sodium Bicarbonate
228.
Sodium Chloride
VITAMINS

Vitamins, single
229.
230.
231.
232.
233.

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

Cholecalciferol( vitamin D 3)
Cyanocobalamine (Vitamin B12)
Folic Acid
Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1)

234.
235.
236.
237.

Pyridoxine
Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
Vitamin A

Vitamins, combinations
238. Vitamin A + D
239. Multi vitamins
Vitamin B complex preparations
240. Vitamin B1+ B6+ B12

ANTIHISTAMINES
241.
242.
243.

Cetrizine
Chlorpheniramine Maleate
Promethazine

OPHTHALMIC AGENTS
Antiglaucoma
244.
245.
246.
247.
248.
249.

Acetazolamide
Betaxolol
Glycerin
Mannitol Parenteral
Pilocarpine
Timolol Maleate

Mydriatics/ Cycloplegics
250.
251.
252.

Atropine Sulphate
Cyclopentolate Hydrochloride
Tropicamide

Anti-infective, Ophthalmic
Antibacterials
253.
254.
255.
256.

Chloramphenicol Eye drops

Gentamicin
Tetracycline Eye drops
Tobramycin

Antivirals
257.

Acyclovir

Eye ointment

Antifungals
258.
259.

Amphotericine B Eye ointment

Econazole Eye drops

Anti-inflammatory/Anti-allergic Medicines
260.
261.
262.
263.
264.
265.

Antazoline + Naphazoline Eye drops

Dexamethasone Eye drops
Methylprednisolone
Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride Eye drops
Prednisolone Eye drops
. Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride Eye drops

Anti-infective/Anti-inflammatory Combinations
266.
Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride + ydrocortisone Acetate
drops+Polymixin B sulphate
267. Tobramycin +
Dexamethasone Eye drops

Anesthetics, Local
268.
269.
270.

Lidocaine
Lidocaine
Tetracaine

Hydrochloride
Hydrochloride + Adrenaline
Hydrochloride Eye drops

Diagnostics and Miscellaneous Agents

271.
Fluorescein sodium Eye drops
272.
Povidone Iodine Eye drops, 1%, 5%, 10% bottle
EAR, NOSE AND THROAT PREPARATIONS
273.
Chloramphenicol
274.
Gentian Violet
275.
Hydrogen Peroxide
276.
Lidocaine
277.
Nystatin
278.
Xylometazoline
DERMATOLOGICAL AGENTS

Anti-infectives, Topical
279.
280.
281.
282.
283.
284.

Benzoic Acid + Salicylic Acid

Benzyl Benzoate
Clioquinol Ointment
Clotrimazole
Gentian Violet
. Miconazole

Anti-inflammatories, Topical
285.
286.

Betamethasome Valerate Cream

. Hydrocortisone Acetateointment

Keratolytics/Caustics and Antiacne Agents

287.
288.

Benzoyl Peroxide
Salicylic Acid

Medicines for Psoriasis and Eczema

289.
290.
291.
292.
293.

Calcipotriol
Dithranol
Ichthammol
Zinc Oxide
Zinc Oxide +Talc

Antipruritics
294.
295.

Calamine
Crotamiton

IMMUNOLOGICAL PREPARATIONS
296.

Anti-Rho (D)

Immune Globulin

Eye

297.
BCG Vaccine
298.
Diphtheria Antitoxin
299.
Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoid
300.
Diphtheria, Tetanus Toxoid and Pertussis Vaccine
301.
Hepatitis B Vaccine, inactivated
302.
Hepatitis B Vaccine Recombinant Yeast DNA
303.
Human Antirabies Immunoglobulin
304.
Immune Serum Globulin, Human (Gamma Globulin,
Human)
305. . MeaslesVirus Vaccine
Live Attenuated
306.
Pentavalent (Diphtheria, Pertusis, Tetanus, Haemophilus Influenzae B,
and Hepatitis B) Vaccine
307.
Poliomyelitis Vaccine, Trivalent Type I, II, and III
308.
Rabies (Human
Diploid Cell) Vaccine
309.
Snake Venom
Antiserum
Polyvalent
310. Tetanus Antitoxin,
Equine
311. Tetanus Toxoid

ANTIDOTES AND OTHER SUBSTANCES USED IN

POISONING
312.
313.
314.
315.
316.
317.
318.
319.

Acetylcysteine
Activated Charcoal
Atropine
Calcium
Nitrite
Phytomenadione (Vitamin K1)
Protamine
Thiosulphate

MISCELLANEOUS
320. Aluminum Sulphate + Calcium Hypochlorite
+Sodium Carbonate
321. Anticoagulant Citrate Dextrose Solution (ACDS) Sodium Citrate
+ CitricAcid +
Dextrose
322.
Barium Sulfate
323.
Calcium Hypochlorite
+ Iron Sulphate +
Bentonite +Potassium
324. Permanganet
Polyacrylamide + Sodium Carbonate
325.
Paraffin Gauze Dressing
326. Talc Dusting Powder
327. Water for Injection in 2 ml, 5ml, 10ml