The Prohibited List

The WADA Prohibited List may include any substance and methods that satisfy any two of the following three criteria:

1. It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance;
2. It represents an actual or potential health risk to the Athlete;
3. It violates the spirit of sport (this definition is outlined in the Code).

Substances or methods which mask the effect or detection of prohibited substances are also prohibited.  In addition, a substance which has not been approved for human use is likely to be prohibited as well.

The Prohibited List is reviewed annually in consultation with scientific, medical and anti-doping experts to ensure it reflects current medical and scientific evidence and doping practices. The Prohibited List comes into effect on January 1st of each year and is published by WADA three months prior to coming into force; however, in exceptional circumstances, a substance or method may be added to the Prohibited List at any time.

Glucocorticoids are sometimes required to be administered to athletes for medical reasons such as for the treatment of inflammatory conditions and sports injury.

All glucocorticoids are Prohibited during the In-Competition period when administered by any injectable, oral [including oromucosal (e.g. buccal, gingival, sublingual)] or rectal route. This includes all local injections such as intra-articular, and peritendinous routes.

The In-Competition period starts at 11:59 pm on the day before the competition through to the end of the competition and the sample collection process related to the competition.

Washout Periods

After administration of glucocorticoids, an Adverse Analytical Finding (positive doping test) can be reached for different periods of time after administration, depending on the glucocorticoid administered and the dose. To reduce the risk of an Adverse Analytical Finding, athletes and physicians should follow the minimum washout periods (see table below) to allow elimination of the glucocorticoid to a level that would not result in an Adverse Analytical Finding.

Physicians administering local injections of glucocorticoids should be aware that periarticular or intra-articular injection may sometimes inadvertently result in intramuscular administration. If intramuscular administration is suspected, the washout periods for the intramuscular route should be observed.

* Washout period refers to the time from the last administered dose to the time of the start of the In-Competition period (i.e. beginning at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate, unless a different period was approved by WADA for a given sport). This is to allow elimination of the glucocorticoid to below the reporting level.

** Oral routes also include e.g. oromucosal, buccal, gingival and sublingual.

When to apply for a TUE 

DURING THE IN-COMPETITION PERIOD

If a glucocorticoid is administered as an injection, oral or rectal route during the In-Competition period, the athlete must apply for a TUE.

DURING THE WASHOUT PERIOD

If a glucocorticoid is administered during the Out-of-Competition period, but the competition will occur within the washout period, the following procedure should be followed:

Complete the appropriate medical record documentation at the time of administration to include: history, physical examination, diagnosis, clinical investigations, medication name, dosage, route of administration, and duration of treatment.

A TUE is NOT required to be submitted if the glucocorticoid is administered in the Out-of-Competition period and the competition time falls outside of the Washout Period.

If an Adverse Analytical Finding is reported following Doping Control, a Retroactive TUE must be submitted with the medical documentation.

Platelet derived preparations such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) are not prohibited.  Despite the presence of some growth factors, platelet-derived preparations were removed from the Prohibited List as studies do not demonstrate any performance enhancement beyond a potential therapeutic effect.

Note that individual growth factors from any other source remain prohibited under S.2.

As of 01 January 2024, plasmapheresis is no longer prohibited for donors when performed in a registered donation center.

During the process of plasmapheresis, healthy donors are connected to a plasmapheresis machine, which withdraws all blood components, and separates the plasma or plasma components from the blood cells.  After the separation, the blood cells are reintroduced with normal saline (NaCl solution)  into the donor’s circulatory system.  The plasma or plasma components can then be used for different medical treatments.

Intravenous laser therapy is prohibited under M1.3 as defined by “Any form of intravascular manipulation of blood…”

MHA is known by many different names, including, but not limited to, dimethylamylamine, 1,3-dimethylamylamine, dimethylpentylamine, methylhexamine, methylhexanamine, 1,3-dimethylpentylamine. It is prohibited In-Competition only as a specified stimulant under Section 6.b.

MHA is a stimulant that was sold as a medicine up to the early 1970s, but is no longer used for medical treatment. MHA is currently included as a constituent of some dietary supplements sold today, including via the Internet.

Clenbuterol is an anabolic agent that is prohibited at all times (i.e., both in- and out-of-competition). There is no threshold under which this substance is not prohibited.

It is possible that under certain circumstances the presence of a low level of clenbuterol in an athlete sample can be the result of food contamination. In this regard a Stakeholder Notice on Meat Contamination was published by WADA on 1 June 2019.  However, each case is different and all aspects and context of the case need to be taken into account during the results management process. According to the World Anti-Doping Code, the athlete has the opportunity to explain how a prohibited substance entered his/her body during the results management and/or the hearing phase of their case.

WADA is working closely with specific countries, International Federations and event organizers to help minimize the risk of meat contamination. Food contamination as a public health issue is primarily a matter for governments to resolve.

It should be clear that all substances or methods on the Prohibited List are prohibited. The sub-classification into “Specified” or “Non-Specified” are important only in the sanctioning process.

A “Specified Substance or Method” is that which potentially allows, under defined conditions, for a greater reduction of a sanction when an athlete tests positive for that particular substance.

The purpose of the sub-classifications of “Specified” or “Non-Specified” on the Prohibited List is to recognize that it is possible for a substance to enter an athlete’s body inadvertently, and therefore allow a tribunal more flexibility when making a sanctioning decision.

As of 1 January 2021, M2.2 (Intravenous infusions and/or injections of more than a total of 100 mL per 12-hour period) have now been classified as  a “Specified Method” based on the newly introduced Article 4.2.2 in the 2021 Code, that makes it possible to identify a Prohibited Method as “Specified”.  This means that the athlete may receive a reduced sanction if it can be proven that this method was not used for doping purposes.

“Specified” substances or methods are not necessarily less effective doping agents than “Non-Specified” ones, nor do they relieve athletes of the strict liability rule that makes them responsible for all substances that enter their body.

Colostrum is not specifically prohibited, however it may contain growth factors which are prohibited and may influence the outcome of anti-doping tests. Therefore, WADA does not recommend the ingestion of this product.

Dialysis (also known as hemodialysis) is a medical treatment for patients with kidney failure. Dialysis is a prohibited method under M1.1, as blood is taken out from the patient and filtered, before being reintroduced back into the patient’s circulatory system. An athlete needing dialysis treatment requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption.

WADA names substances according to the following convention:

• For substances that have been given an International Non-proprietary Name (INN), as published by the World Health Organisation, this name is used first.
• Only when the commonly-used name of a substance is better known than the INN, this commonly-used name appears in parenthesis.
• When the INN is not known, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature is used, accompanied in some cases by the commonly-used name.  As INNs are generated, the Prohibited List evolves with the addition of the INN and if deemed beneficial, the previous IUPAC name may be still included for a period of time.
• Common examples of substances and methods are provided in all sections but these examples are not exhaustive.

Mannitol by inhalation is permitted e.g. to perform bronchial provocation testing in asthma.

Mannitol is only prohibited when administered intravenously.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors dorzolamide and brinzolamide, when administered topically in the eye, are not prohibited. The rationale behind this exception is these drugs do not have a diuretic effect when topically applied.

Eye drops containing beta-blockers are prohibited in particular sports under section P1 because the ophthalmic administration of beta-blockers results in systemic concentrations of the drugs similar to when the medication is taken orally.

A cannabinoid is a compound produced by the cannabis (marijuana) plant or synthesized as a chemical (synthetic cannabinoid). Of more than 100 cannabinoids in the plant, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive compound, which alters the mind or behavior. Other cannabinoids include cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabigerol (CBG). Since the mid-2000’s, many different synthetic cannabinoids were produced in illegal laboratories and sold as drugs to mimic the effects of THC.

All natural and synthetic cannabinoids are prohibited except for cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis, hashish and marijuana are prohibited.  Products, including foods and drinks, containing cannabinoids, are also prohibited. All synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the effects of THC are prohibited.

CBD is not prohibited; however, athletes should be aware that some CBD oils and tinctures extracted from cannabis plants, may also contain THC and other cannabinoids that could result in a positive test for a prohibited cannabinoid.

Intravenous infusions or injections are not prohibited if they are legitimately received in the course of a hospital treatment, surgical procedure or clinical investigation or if they do not exceed 100 mL per 12 hour period. Otherwise they require a Therapeutic Use Exemption.

The intent of section M2.2 is to prohibit hemodilution, and overhydration by means of intravenous infusion. An intravenous infusion is defined as the delivery of fluids through a vein using a needle or similar device.

The legitimate medical uses of intravenous infusions may not need a Therapeutic Use Exemption in certain settings (hospital treatment, surgical procedures or clinical investigations).  In other situations, such as trauma with or without blood loss, severe dehydration, intractable vomiting, the athlete should receive appropriate treatment and apply for a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption as soon as reasonable. 

Injections with a simple syringe are not prohibited as a method if the injected substance is not prohibited and if the volume does not exceed 100 mL every 12 hours.

No, intravenous iron dextran is not considered a prohibited plasma expander. Since dextran is bound to the iron complex, it does not function as a plasma expander, therefore, it is not recognised as such on the Prohibited List.

In general, intravenous infusions or injections are not prohibited if they are legitimately received in the course of a hospital treatment, surgical procedure or clinical investigation or if they do not exceed 100 mL per 12 hour period. Otherwise they require a Therapeutic Use Exemption.

Pseudoephedrine is a specified stimulant prohibited In-Competition only at a urinary threshold of 150 µg/mL. This decision was based on the results of controlled excretion studies as well as scientific literature indicating that only high doses of pseudoephedrine improved sports performance.

Given the wide availability of pseudoephedrine, particularly as a component of multi-ingredient cold and influenza treatments, athletes and their support personnel should be advised the following.

• Athletes should stop taking pseudoephedrine-containing medicines at least 24 hours before the start of the In-Competition period (i.e. beginning at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate, unless a different period was approved by WADA for a given sport). For therapeutic applications during the In-Competition period, consider the use of alternative permitted medications in consultation with a physician, or apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption for the use of pseudoephedrine for therapeutic reasons.
• The established urinary threshold level of 150 µg/mL may be reached (rarely, but possibly) in some individuals within 6-20 hours of taking some long-acting therapeutic formulations.
• The threshold level of 150 µg/mL has been established based on the intake of therapeutic doses of pseudoephedrine, defined as a maximum daily dose of 240 mg pseudoephedrine taken either as:
  • four daily oral administrations (one every 4-6 hours) of a 60 mg (or 2 x 30 mg) immediate release preparation (i.e. tablet, capsule or liquid) or
  • two daily administrations (one every 12 hours) of a 120 mg extended release preparation
  • one daily administration of a 240 mg extended release preparation.
• As an example, a single daily dose of 3 x 60 mg tablets would be a supratherapeutic dose that may lead to an Adverse Analytical Finding.

The fact that a substance is not on the Prohibited List does not mean that it is not prohibited since most categories only include some common examples and are not exhaustive.

In addition, section S0 (Non-approved substances) includes substances used for doping which are not included in other sections of the Prohibited List that are not approved by any governmental regulatory health authority for human therapeutic use. This includes drugs under pre-clinical or clinical development, discontinued drugs, designer drugs or veterinary drugs. A designer drug is defined as a synthetic analogue of a legally restricted or prohibited drug, devised to circumvent drug laws. 

Most prohibited substances fall in one of the S1 to S9 categories.  Therefore, only in rare occasions a substance is included in S0 after a case-by-case evaluation.

Catheterization may be necessary for medical purposes. It is only prohibited if used to tamper or attempt to tamper with the integrity of a sample or sample collection.

For beta-2-agonists, given by ANY device, the amount of drug can be expressed in two ways:

1. Metered Dose – the quantity of drug substance contained in the delivery device (inhaler)          
2. Delivered dose – the amount of drug that is available to the lungs; delivered from the mouthpiece of the inhalation device.  

The Prohibited List refers to the delivered dose for formoterol and the metered dose for salbutamol, salmeterol and vilanterol to reflect the most common labelling practices around the world.

The labelling convention of asthma inhalers may vary between countries – to determine the delivered dose of a product in a particular country, read the accompanying medical literature and labelling of the inhalation device you are using.  Note that there are many different types of inhalers; a Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI), i.e. a “puffer” is one type.  Other delivery devices include, but are not limited to: Diskus, Turbuhalers, Ellipta, Aerolizer, Genuair.

Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is not prohibited because the cobalt present does not have the same effects as elemental cobalt or cobalt salts. In addition, the amount of cobalt that is naturally contained in food is not significant and would not be enough to act as a doping agent. However, if a dietary supplement includes cobalt, for example inorganic cobalt or cobalt salts, then it would be considered prohibited.

Hypoxic chambers artificially induce hypoxic conditions. Their use is not prohibited by WADA, however some sporting authorities ban the use of hypoxic chambers during competitions under their sport rules. Athletes must check the rules that apply to hypoxic chambers with the sporting authorities governing the events they compete in.

Higenamine is prohibited under S3 as a non-selective beta-2-agonist. Higenamine is documented to be a constituent of the plant Tinospora crispa, which can be found in some dietary supplements.

Supplemental oxygen administered by inhalation, but not intravenously, is permitted. However, some sports authorities may prohibit its use in their regulations. Athletes must check the rules that apply to supplemental oxygen use with the sporting authorities governing the events they compete in.

Regular food consumption will not yield sufficient levels of phenylethylamine to result in an Adverse Analytical Finding.

Non-transformed stem cells used alone (with no growth factor or other hormones added) for healing injuries are not prohibited as long as they return the functioning of the affected area to normal and do not enhance it.

Gene editing is a type of genetic engineering in which DNA is manipulated at specific sites. Gene editing technology has advanced impressively in recent years and is a promising gene therapy technique for the treatment of, for example, genetic diseases or cancer; at this point only a few early stage clinical trials are taking place worldwide. This has prompted WADA to evaluate possible misuses of gene editing for doping and as a consequence, has included these technologies in the definition of Gene Doping since the 2018 Prohibited List. Despite sensational and scientifically unfounded claims occasionally seen in the media, WADA is not presently aware of any athletes who are gene doping. Nevertheless WADA wants to make it clear that when or if such techniques as gene editing would be used to enhance performance beyond a return to normal function, then it would be prohibited.

Effective 1 January 2018, and after careful consideration and extensive consultation, Alcohol is excluded from the Prohibited List. The intent of this change is not to compromise the integrity or safety of any sport where alcohol use is a concern, but rather to endorse a different means of enforcing bans on alcohol use in these sports. The International Federations (IF) affected by this change were alerted sufficiently in advance in order to amend their rules and to put in place protocols to test for alcohol use and appropriately sanction athletes who do not abide by the rules of their sport. Control of the process will allow IF more flexibility in applying rules or thresholds as they see fit. The National Anti-Doping Organizations are no longer obliged to conduct tests but may assist IF and National Federations where appropriate.

Nebulizers are by definition inhalation devices and thus not prohibited as a method. However, the inhalation of salbutamol in doses recommended by the manufacturer is most likely to result in urinary levels of salbutamol exceeding the urinary threshold of 1,000 ng/ml and thus, the use of salbutamol with a nebulizer requires a TUE. However, a TUE for nebulized salbutamol would be granted only in rare situations, such as a severe acute asthma attack treated in an emergency room setting. In otherwise healthy adults, the use of metered dose inhalers with a spacer has been demonstrated as effective as the nebulized drug in managing acute exacerbations of asthma.

Levosalbutamol (also known as levalbuterol) is prohibited at all times as it is a beta-2-agonist.  This drug is different from the regularly prescribed salbutamol. Salbutamol consists of the racemic mixture of the R- and S- enantiomers. Levosalbutamol consists only of the R-enantiomer. Unlike salbutamol, there are no exceptions for the use of levosalbutamol based on any therapeutic dose. A Therapeutic Use Exemption must be applied for and granted before using levosalbutamol.

Arformoterol is prohibited at all times as it is a beta-2-agonist. This drug is different to from the regularly prescribed formoterol. Formoterol consists of a racemic mixture of R- and S- enantiomers. Arformoterol consists only of the R-enantiomer. Unlike formoterol, there are no exceptions for the use of arformoterol based on any therapeutic dose. A Therapeutic Use Exemption must be applied for and granted before using arformoterol.

During the extensive two-year review process for the 2021 version of the Code, WADA received considerable stakeholder feedback related to drugs of abuse where it was felt that the use of some substances included in  the Prohibited List was often unrelated to sport practice. Accordingly, Article 4.2.3 was added to the 2021 Code defining Substances of Abuse as those “Prohibited Substances which are specifically identified as Substances of Abuse on the Prohibited List because they are frequently abused in society outside of the context of sport.”.  In this context, cocaine, diamorphine (heroin), methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/“ecstasy”) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are designated as Substances of Abuse.

These 4 substances are prohibited in competition but sometimes their use out-of-competition can be detected in-competition and lead to an Adverse Analytical Finding.  If the athlete can demonstrate that the use of any of these four substances was out-of -competition and unrelated to sport performance the suspension will be three months and may be reduced to one month if the athlete completes an addiction treatment program.  It is very important to note that these substances of abuse remain prohibited and athletes can still be given sanctions up to four years for presence of a substance of abuse if they cannot establish that its use was out-of-competition and unrelated to sport.

Other substances are currently under review and may be designated as Substances of Abuse in the future

Proteases (also known as proteolytic enzymes), for example, pancreatin, are not prohibited when taken orally for the medical treatment of digestive or other conditions.

According to the Prohibited List, proteases are prohibited when added to a urine or blood sample to tamper, or attempt to tamper, with the sample.

Extreme caution is recommended regarding dietary/nutritional supplement use.

The use of dietary supplements by athletes is a serious concern because in many countries the manufacturing and labeling of supplements do not follow strict rules, which may lead to a supplement containing an undeclared substance that is prohibited under anti-doping regulations. A significant number of positive tests have been attributed to the misuse of supplements and attributing an Adverse Analytical Finding to a poorly labeled dietary supplement is not an adequate defense in a doping hearing.

The risks of taking supplements should be weighed against the potential benefit that may be obtained, and athletes must appreciate the negative consequences of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation as a result of taking a contaminated supplement.

Use of supplement products that have been subjected to one of the available quality assurance schemes can help to reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of an inadvertent doping infringement.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is not involved in the testing of dietary/nutritional supplements.

The Laboratory Code of Ethics, in the International Standard for Laboratories (Section 3.3.5 of Annex A), states that WADA-accredited laboratories shall not engage in analyzing commercial material or preparations (e.g. dietary supplements) unless specifically requested by an Anti-Doping Organization as part of a doping case investigation. The Laboratory shall not provide results, documentation or advice that, in any way, suggests endorsement of products or services.