[ { "name": "Artemether-Lumefantrine (Coartem)", "class": "Antimalarial", "adult_dose": "4 tablets at 0, 8, 24, 36, 48 and 60 hours (80mg/480mg per dose)", "pediatric_dose": "Weight-based: 5-14kg = 1 tab, 15-24kg = 2 tabs, 25-34kg = 3 tabs per dose", "indications": "Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria", "contraindications": "First trimester pregnancy, severe malaria", "notes": "Take with food or milk to improve absorption" }, { "name": "Artesunate IV", "class": "Antimalarial", "adult_dose": "2.4mg/kg IV at 0, 12, 24 hours then daily", "pediatric_dose": "2.4mg/kg IV same schedule", "indications": "Severe malaria, cerebral malaria", "contraindications": "Known hypersensitivity", "notes": "Preferred over quinine for severe malaria" }, { "name": "Amoxicillin", "class": "Antibiotic (Beta-lactam)", "adult_dose": "500mg three times daily for 5-7 days", "pediatric_dose": "25-50mg/kg/day in three divided doses", "indications": "Respiratory infections, ear infections, UTI, skin infections, H. pylori", "contraindications": "Penicillin allergy", "notes": "Can be taken with or without food" }, { "name": "Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Augmentin)", "class": "Antibiotic (Beta-lactam + inhibitor)", "adult_dose": "625mg (500/125mg) three times daily for 5-7 days", "pediatric_dose": "25-45mg/kg/day amoxicillin component in divided doses", "indications": "Resistant infections, sinusitis, pneumonia, UTI, skin infections", "contraindications": "Penicillin allergy, cholestatic jaundice from prior use", "notes": "Take with food to reduce GI side effects" }, { "name": "Azithromycin", "class": "Antibiotic (Macrolide)", "adult_dose": "500mg on day 1, then 250mg daily for 4 days (or 500mg daily x 3 days)", "pediatric_dose": "10mg/kg on day 1, then 5mg/kg daily for 4 days", "indications": "Respiratory infections, typhoid, STIs, community-acquired pneumonia", "contraindications": "Macrolide allergy, liver disease", "notes": "Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals" }, { "name": "Ciprofloxacin", "class": "Antibiotic (Fluoroquinolone)", "adult_dose": "500mg twice daily for 5-7 days (UTI: 250-500mg twice daily x 3 days)", "pediatric_dose": "Not recommended in children under 18 except specific indications", "indications": "UTI, typhoid, diarrhoea, respiratory infections, skin infections", "contraindications": "Children, pregnancy, tendon disorders, QT prolongation", "notes": "Avoid dairy products, antacids within 2 hours" }, { "name": "Metronidazole", "class": "Antibiotic/Antiprotozoal", "adult_dose": "400-500mg three times daily for 5-7 days", "pediatric_dose": "7.5mg/kg three times daily", "indications": "Amoebic dysentery, giardiasis, anaerobic infections, bacterial vaginosis, H. pylori", "contraindications": "First trimester pregnancy, alcohol use", "notes": "Avoid alcohol during treatment and 48 hours after" }, { "name": "Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)", "class": "Analgesic/Antipyretic", "adult_dose": "500-1000mg every 4-6 hours, maximum 4g/day", "pediatric_dose": "10-15mg/kg every 4-6 hours, maximum 60mg/kg/day", "indications": "Pain, fever, headache, post-operative analgesia", "contraindications": "Severe liver disease", "notes": "Most common OTC medication. Safe in pregnancy" }, { "name": "Ibuprofen", "class": "NSAID (Anti-inflammatory)", "adult_dose": "400-600mg three times daily with food", "pediatric_dose": "5-10mg/kg every 6-8 hours (>6 months)", "indications": "Pain, fever, inflammation, dysmenorrhoea, arthritis", "contraindications": "Peptic ulcer, renal impairment, third trimester pregnancy, asthma (some)", "notes": "Always take with food" }, { "name": "Diclofenac", "class": "NSAID", "adult_dose": "75mg twice daily or 50mg three times daily", "pediatric_dose": "1mg/kg twice to three times daily (>1 year)", "indications": "Pain, inflammation, arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders", "contraindications": "Peptic ulcer, heart failure, renal disease, third trimester pregnancy", "notes": "Take with food" }, { "name": "Tramadol", "class": "Opioid analgesic", "adult_dose": "50-100mg every 4-6 hours, maximum 400mg/day", "pediatric_dose": "1-2mg/kg every 4-6 hours (>1 year, >10kg)", "indications": "Moderate to severe pain", "contraindications": "Epilepsy, MAOIs, respiratory depression, children under 12", "notes": "Controlled substance. Risk of dependence" }, { "name": "Omeprazole", "class": "Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)", "adult_dose": "20-40mg once daily before breakfast", "pediatric_dose": "0.7-1.4mg/kg once daily (max 20mg)", "indications": "GERD, peptic ulcer, H. pylori eradication, NSAID-induced ulcer prevention", "contraindications": "Hypersensitivity", "notes": "Take 30 minutes before meals" }, { "name": "Metformin", "class": "Antidiabetic (Biguanide)", "adult_dose": "500mg twice daily with meals, increase to max 2000mg/day", "pediatric_dose": "Not recommended under 10 years", "indications": "Type 2 diabetes mellitus, pre-diabetes", "contraindications": "Renal impairment (eGFR <30), liver failure, heart failure, contrast media", "notes": "Take with food. First-line therapy for T2DM" }, { "name": "Glibenclamide (Glyburide)", "class": "Antidiabetic (Sulphonylurea)", "adult_dose": "2.5-5mg once daily before breakfast, max 15mg/day", "pediatric_dose": "Not recommended", "indications": "Type 2 diabetes when metformin insufficient", "contraindications": "Type 1 diabetes, renal/hepatic failure, pregnancy", "notes": "Risk of hypoglycaemia. Ensure regular meals" }, { "name": "Amlodipine", "class": "Antihypertensive (Calcium Channel Blocker)", "adult_dose": "5-10mg once daily", "pediatric_dose": "2.5-5mg once daily (6-17 years)", "indications": "Hypertension, angina", "contraindications": "Severe aortic stenosis, cardiogenic shock", "notes": "Common side effect: ankle oedema" }, { "name": "Lisinopril", "class": "Antihypertensive (ACE Inhibitor)", "adult_dose": "5-10mg once daily, max 40mg/day", "pediatric_dose": "0.07mg/kg once daily (>6 years)", "indications": "Hypertension, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy", "contraindications": "Pregnancy, bilateral renal artery stenosis, angioedema history", "notes": "Common side effect: dry cough. Check renal function and potassium" }, { "name": "Atenolol", "class": "Antihypertensive (Beta-blocker)", "adult_dose": "25-100mg once daily", "pediatric_dose": "0.5-1mg/kg once daily", "indications": "Hypertension, angina, arrhythmia, post-MI", "contraindications": "Asthma, bradycardia, heart block, cardiogenic shock", "notes": "Do not stop abruptly" }, { "name": "Hydrochlorothiazide", "class": "Antihypertensive (Thiazide Diuretic)", "adult_dose": "12.5-25mg once daily in the morning", "pediatric_dose": "1-2mg/kg/day in one or two doses", "indications": "Hypertension, oedema", "contraindications": "Anuria, hypersensitivity to sulfonamides, gout", "notes": "Monitor electrolytes, especially potassium" }, { "name": "Furosemide (Frusemide)", "class": "Loop Diuretic", "adult_dose": "20-80mg once or twice daily", "pediatric_dose": "1-2mg/kg once or twice daily", "indications": "Heart failure, oedema, hypertension, pulmonary oedema", "contraindications": "Anuria, hypovolaemia, hypokalaemia", "notes": "Monitor electrolytes and renal function" }, { "name": "Atorvastatin", "class": "Lipid-lowering (Statin)", "adult_dose": "10-80mg once daily at night", "pediatric_dose": "10-20mg daily (10-17 years with familial hypercholesterolaemia)", "indications": "Hypercholesterolaemia, cardiovascular risk reduction", "contraindications": "Active liver disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding", "notes": "Preferably take in the evening. Monitor LFTs" }, { "name": "Aspirin", "class": "Antiplatelet/NSAID", "adult_dose": "75-150mg once daily (antiplatelet); 300-900mg every 4-6 hours (analgesia)", "pediatric_dose": "Avoid in children under 16 (Reye syndrome risk)", "indications": "Antiplatelet: MI prevention, stroke prevention, ACS; Analgesic: pain fever", "contraindications": "Children under 16, peptic ulcer, bleeding disorders, third trimester", "notes": "Irreversibly inhibits platelets" }, { "name": "Cotrimoxazole (Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole)", "class": "Antibiotic/Anti-infective", "adult_dose": "960mg (2 standard tablets) twice daily for 5-7 days", "pediatric_dose": "4/20mg/kg twice daily", "indications": "UTI, chest infections, toxoplasmosis prophylaxis in HIV, PCP prophylaxis", "contraindications": "Sulfonamide allergy, G6PD deficiency, severe renal/hepatic failure", "notes": "Ensure adequate fluid intake" }, { "name": "Chlorphenamine (Chlorpheniramine)", "class": "Antihistamine (1st generation)", "adult_dose": "4mg every 4-6 hours, max 24mg/day", "pediatric_dose": "0.1mg/kg every 6 hours", "indications": "Allergic reactions, urticaria, hay fever, pruritus", "contraindications": "Glaucoma, urinary retention, MAOIs", "notes": "Causes drowsiness. Avoid driving" }, { "name": "Cetirizine", "class": "Antihistamine (2nd generation)", "adult_dose": "10mg once daily", "pediatric_dose": "5mg once or twice daily (6-11 years); 2.5mg twice daily (2-5 years)", "indications": "Allergic rhinitis, urticaria, eczema, allergic reactions", "contraindications": "Severe renal impairment", "notes": "Less sedating than chlorphenamine" }, { "name": "Salbutamol (Albuterol)", "class": "Bronchodilator (Short-acting beta-2 agonist)", "adult_dose": "100-200mcg (1-2 puffs) every 4-6 hours as needed", "pediatric_dose": "100mcg (1 puff) as needed (under supervision)", "indications": "Asthma, COPD, bronchospasm", "contraindications": "Tachyarrhythmia", "notes": "Shake inhaler. Rinse mouth after use if using spacer with steroid" }, { "name": "Prednisolone", "class": "Corticosteroid", "adult_dose": "5-60mg daily depending on indication", "pediatric_dose": "1-2mg/kg/day in divided doses", "indications": "Asthma exacerbation, severe allergic reactions, autoimmune conditions, inflammation", "contraindications": "Systemic infections (without antibiotics), live vaccines", "notes": "Do not stop abruptly if on long-term therapy" }, { "name": "Dexamethasone", "class": "Corticosteroid", "adult_dose": "0.5-24mg daily depending on indication", "pediatric_dose": "0.08-0.3mg/kg/day", "indications": "Severe asthma, croup, cerebral oedema, severe COVID-19, meningitis", "contraindications": "Systemic fungal infections", "notes": "More potent than prednisolone. IV/IM for severe conditions" }, { "name": "ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts)", "class": "Rehydration therapy", "adult_dose": "200-400mL after each loose stool, aiming for 3L/day", "pediatric_dose": "50-100mL/kg over 3-4 hours for mild dehydration", "indications": "Diarrhoea, dehydration, cholera", "contraindications": "Severe dehydration requiring IV fluids, ileus", "notes": "First-line for diarrhoeal disease in all ages" }, { "name": "Zinc Sulphate", "class": "Micronutrient supplement", "adult_dose": "20mg once daily", "pediatric_dose": "10mg/day under 6 months; 20mg/day over 6 months for 10-14 days with ORS", "indications": "Diarrhoea (adjunct), zinc deficiency, growth faltering", "contraindications": "Hypersensitivity", "notes": "Reduces duration and severity of diarrhoea in children" }, { "name": "Folic Acid", "class": "Vitamin/Haematinic", "adult_dose": "5mg once daily (therapeutic); 400mcg daily (prophylactic in pregnancy)", "pediatric_dose": "500mcg/kg/day", "indications": "Megaloblastic anaemia, pregnancy (neural tube defect prevention), haemolytic anaemia", "contraindications": "Undiagnosed anaemia (may mask B12 deficiency)", "notes": "Ideally start 3 months before conception" }, { "name": "Ferrous Sulphate", "class": "Iron supplement", "adult_dose": "200mg (65mg elemental iron) three times daily", "pediatric_dose": "3-6mg/kg/day elemental iron in divided doses", "indications": "Iron deficiency anaemia, pregnancy iron supplementation", "contraindications": "Haemochromatosis, repeated blood transfusions", "notes": "Take on empty stomach or with vitamin C. Stools may turn black" }, { "name": "Vitamin A", "class": "Fat-soluble vitamin", "adult_dose": "200,000 IU once (for deficiency or measles)", "pediatric_dose": "100,000 IU (6-11 months); 200,000 IU (>12 months) every 6 months", "indications": "Vitamin A deficiency, measles, night blindness, malnutrition", "contraindications": "Pregnancy (high dose teratogenic)", "notes": "Part of national immunisation programme in Ghana" }, { "name": "Gentamicin", "class": "Antibiotic (Aminoglycoside)", "adult_dose": "5-7mg/kg IV/IM once daily", "pediatric_dose": "7.5mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours (neonatal: 4-7mg/kg/day)", "indications": "Serious gram-negative infections, sepsis, neonatal sepsis", "contraindications": "Renal impairment, myasthenia gravis", "notes": "Monitor renal function and drug levels. Ototoxic and nephrotoxic" }, { "name": "Benzylpenicillin (Penicillin G)", "class": "Antibiotic (Beta-lactam)", "adult_dose": "1.2-2.4g IV every 4-6 hours", "pediatric_dose": "50,000-100,000 units/kg/day divided every 4-6 hours", "indications": "Meningitis, septicaemia, pneumonia, syphilis, neonatal infections", "contraindications": "Penicillin allergy", "notes": "IV administration. Monitor for hypersensitivity" }, { "name": "Ceftriaxone", "class": "Antibiotic (3rd generation Cephalosporin)", "adult_dose": "1-2g IV/IM once daily", "pediatric_dose": "50-100mg/kg once daily (max 4g/day)", "indications": "Meningitis, severe pneumonia, typhoid, sepsis, gonorrhoea", "contraindications": "Cephalosporin allergy, neonates with hyperbilirubinaemia", "notes": "Can be given IM (with lidocaine) or IV" }, { "name": "Fluconazole", "class": "Antifungal", "adult_dose": "150mg single dose (vaginal candidiasis); 200mg daily (systemic)", "pediatric_dose": "3-12mg/kg/day", "indications": "Candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, tinea infections", "contraindications": "Hepatic impairment (high doses), QT prolongation", "notes": "Significant drug interactions including with warfarin and statins" }, { "name": "Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD)", "class": "Antiretroviral (NRTI + INSTI)", "adult_dose": "One tablet (300/300/50mg) once daily", "pediatric_dose": "Weight-band dosing for children", "indications": "HIV-1 infection (first-line regimen in Ghana)", "contraindications": "Severe renal impairment", "notes": "Current WHO-recommended first-line ART. Take at same time daily" }, { "name": "Isoniazid", "class": "Anti-tuberculosis", "adult_dose": "5mg/kg (max 300mg) once daily", "pediatric_dose": "10mg/kg (max 300mg) once daily", "indications": "Tuberculosis treatment and prophylaxis", "contraindications": "Severe liver disease, peripheral neuropathy", "notes": "Give with pyridoxine (B6) to prevent peripheral neuropathy" }, { "name": "Rifampicin", "class": "Anti-tuberculosis", "adult_dose": "10mg/kg (max 600mg) once daily on empty stomach", "pediatric_dose": "15mg/kg (max 600mg) once daily", "indications": "Tuberculosis, leprosy, Neisseria meningitidis prophylaxis", "contraindications": "Severe liver disease, jaundice", "notes": "Turns urine/sweat/tears orange. Many drug interactions" }, { "name": "Diazepam", "class": "Benzodiazepine/Anticonvulsant", "adult_dose": "5-10mg IV slowly for seizures; 2-10mg orally for anxiety", "pediatric_dose": "0.2-0.5mg/kg IV (max 10mg) for seizures; rectal: 0.5mg/kg", "indications": "Seizures, status epilepticus, anxiety, muscle spasm, alcohol withdrawal", "contraindications": "Respiratory depression, sleep apnoea, severe liver disease", "notes": "Controlled substance. Risk of dependence" }, { "name": "Phenobarbital", "class": "Anticonvulsant (Barbiturate)", "adult_dose": "60-180mg at night (maintenance); 15-20mg/kg IV for status epilepticus", "pediatric_dose": "3-5mg/kg/day (maintenance); 15-20mg/kg IV (status epilepticus)", "indications": "Epilepsy, status epilepticus, neonatal seizures", "contraindications": "Respiratory depression, porphyria", "notes": "Long-acting. First-line for neonatal seizures" }, { "name": "Misoprostol", "class": "Prostaglandin (Uterotonic)", "adult_dose": "600mcg sublingual or 800mcg rectally for PPH", "pediatric_dose": "N/A", "indications": "Prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage, medical abortion, cervical ripening", "contraindications": "Allergy to prostaglandins", "notes": "Essential medicine for maternal health" }, { "name": "Magnesium Sulphate", "class": "Anticonvulsant/Tocolytic", "adult_dose": "4g IV loading over 20 min, then 1g/hour maintenance", "pediatric_dose": "25-50mg/kg for hypomagnesaemia", "indications": "Pre-eclampsia, eclampsia seizure prophylaxis and treatment", "contraindications": "Renal failure, myasthenia gravis", "notes": "Monitor deep tendon reflexes, respiratory rate, urine output" }, { "name": "Insulin (Regular/Soluble)", "class": "Antidiabetic hormone", "adult_dose": "Individualised; DKA: 0.1 units/kg/hour IV", "pediatric_dose": "Individualised", "indications": "Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes (uncontrolled), diabetic ketoacidosis", "contraindications": "Hypoglycaemia", "notes": "Store in refrigerator. Monitor blood glucose closely" }, { "name": "Hydrocortisone", "class": "Corticosteroid", "adult_dose": "100-500mg IV every 6-8 hours (emergency); 20-30mg oral daily (replacement)", "pediatric_dose": "2-8mg/kg IV (emergency)", "indications": "Adrenal crisis, severe allergic reactions, anaphylaxis, severe asthma", "contraindications": "Systemic infections without antimicrobials", "notes": "IV for emergencies. Mineralocorticoid effects at high doses" }, { "name": "Adrenaline (Epinephrine)", "class": "Sympathomimetic", "adult_dose": "0.5mg (0.5mL of 1:1000) IM for anaphylaxis; repeat after 5 min if needed", "pediatric_dose": "0.01mg/kg IM (max 0.5mg)", "indications": "Anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, severe asthma", "contraindications": "No absolute contraindications in life-threatening emergencies", "notes": "Outer mid-thigh IM injection. Store away from light" } ]