WADA Prohibited List: Banned Drugs and Supplement Risks

Sport drug-testing programs globally reference the WADA Prohibited List as the definitive resource for identifying substances and methods banned in sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) maintains and updates this document annually to address emerging threats to the integrity of athletic competition. The List governs Olympic athletes and other athletes in sports or regions that have accepted the World Anti Doping Code. Professional leagues, collegiate programs, and organizations overseeing military and first-responder drug testing usually prohibit a subset of the WADA Prohibited List. Accurate comprehension of the WADA Prohibited List structure and scope is critical for athletes and supplement manufacturers to avoid inadvertent anti-doping rule violations and safeguard athletic eligibility and brand reputation.

Strict liability principles hold athletes accountable for any prohibited substance detected in their system, regardless of intent or origin. This regulatory approach creates elevated risk when using dietary supplements, which WADA does not regulate or approve, and which numerous scientific studies have shown may contain undeclared drugs. Third-party certification programs that test products for drugs on the WADA Prohibited List provide significant protection that is based on scientific analysis.

What Is the WADA Prohibited List?

The WADA Prohibited List is an international standard updated annually to specify substances and methods banned under the World Anti-Doping Code. WADA releases each revision in October, with changes taking effect on January 1 of the following year. The List identifies substances and methods prohibited at all times, in-competition only, and in particular sports. It serves as a mandatory framework for all Code Signatories and is also used by professional leagues, colleges, and military drug-testing programs as the gold standard to follow when refining their own banned substance lists.

Criteria for Inclusion in the Prohibited List

WADA applies a three-part assessment to determine if a substance or method is included on the Prohibited List. For prohibition, a substance or method must meet at least two of the following criteria based on a decision made by the WADA List Committee:

• Performance enhancement: Demonstrates or possesses potential to improve sport performance.
• Health risk: Presents confirmed or possible health risks to athletes.
• Spirit of sport: Violates standards of fairness, respect, or integrity established in sport.

This framework enables WADA to address both established performance-enhancing agents and new substances that present health or integrity risks to sport.

Substances and Methods Prohibited at All Times

Certain substance categories and prohibited methods apply throughout the year, regardless of competition status. Athletes subject to anti-doping controls remain responsible for these substances at all times.

S0. Non-Approved Substances

Pharmacological substances not approved for human therapeutic use by any governmental regulatory authority are included in this category. Examples are experimental drugs, designer compounds, research chemicals, veterinary medicines not intended for human use, and unapproved peptides such as BPC-157. Substances labeled "research use only" or "not for human consumption" are prohibited under this classification, regardless of their marketed claims. Specifically listed substances include BPC-157, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), ryanodine receptor-1-calstabin complex stabilizers [e.g. S-107, S48168 (ARM210)] and troponin activators (e.g. reldesemtiv and tirasemtiv).

Research chemicals and unapproved peptides that have yet to be considered or approved as drugs would qualify as prohibited in this category if they were to be identified on a drug test. This could cover anything from SLU-PP-332, to retatrutide, to SS-31, to Selank or Semax.

S1. Anabolic Agents

All anabolic agents, including anabolic-androgenic steroids—such as exogenously administered testosterone, nandrolone, stanozolol, and methandienone—are permanently banned due to their muscle growth and strength effects. This also covers all prohormones even if the drugs are not specifically listed. Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), like ostarine and ligandrol, are similarly restricted. SARMs constitute a leading category of undeclared substances detected in contaminated supplements. There are more than 40 SARMs that have been explored and any of them if identified on a drug test would be considered banned even though the WADA Prohibited List only names 6; andarine, enobosarm (ostarine), LGD-4033 (ligandrol), RAD140, S-23 and YK-11. There are 15 SARMs on the BSCG Dietary Supplement Ingredient Advisory List.

S2. Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, and Related Substances

This group encompasses substances that promote oxygen delivery, muscle repair, and recovery, such as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, growth hormones and analogues, and growth factor mimetics and releasing agents. Drugs including erythropoietin (EPO), human growth hormone (hGH), IGF-1, and TB-500 are prohibited. Rules apply irrespective of dosage or administration route.

WADA Category S2 includes some of the most popular substances sold on the unapproved peptide and research chemical marketplace today. Substances like CJC-1293, CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin, anamorelin, capromorelin, ibutamoren (MK-677), ipamorelin, lenomorelin (ghrelin), macimorelin, tabimorelin, GHRPs.

S3. Beta-2 Agonists

Beta-2 agonists remain prohibited at all times except for specified inhaled agents and concentrations. Clenbuterol, fenoterol, higenamine, terbutaline are examples of substances that are prohibited completely. Specific asthma medications require documented Therapeutic Use Exemptions and established dosing protocols must be followed to ensure the amount in urine stays below banned levels those include; formoterol, salbutamol, salmeterol, and vilanterol. It is important to note that other Beta-2 Agonists that are not on the list may also be banned under the including but not limited to language like ritodrine or pirbuterol.

S4. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators

This section encompasses substances altering hormone activity or metabolism, including aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), myostatin inhibitors, and metabolic regulators. Examples are anastrozole, letrozole, tamoxifen, clomiphene, and GW501516 (Cardarine), meldonium, and trimetazidine. Inhibitors that prevent activin receptor IIB activation and myostatin-binding proteins (e.g., follistatin) fall under WADA's expanded interpretation.

Category S4 on the WADA Prohibited List also presents one of the biggest grey areas when it comes to interpreting the list language as it has 'including but not limited to' language that could cover any substance that may qualify in the the category based on activity. The literature outlines hundreds of natural products that have aromatase inhibiting qualities including substances like apigenin, chrysin, or luteolin.

Myostatin inhibitors also present a grey area. Epicatechins that can come from tea or cocoa are known myostatin inhibitors, yet they are not treated as prohibited. There are also follistatin based supplements on the market, some that are certified for sport, that would be prohibited based on the list language, although no positive drug tests have been reported for follistatin to date. Follistatin in also naturally present in eggs.

In 2026 two new substances were added to the WADA Prohibited List in category S4, BAM15 and 2-Phenylbenzo[h]chromen-4-one (?-naphthoflavone; 7,8-benzoflavone). BAM15 is a trending research chemical and mitochondrial uncoupler involved in metabolic modulation that is reportedly beneficial for weight loss. 2-Phenylbenzo[h]chromen-4-one (?-naphthoflavone; 7,8-benzoflavone) is a flavone commonly used in natural testosterone booster supplements.

S5. Diuretics and Masking Agents

WADA category S5 is made up predominantly of diurectics including furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, and acetazolamide. A handful of other masking agents are also banned including probenecid, desmopressin, and vaptans to prevent the concealment of other banned agents in doping control samples.

M1. Manipulation of Blood and Blood Components

Banned methods include blood transfusions, blood doping, and artificial chemicals that enhance oxygen transport. These interventions carry serious risks to cardiovascular and kidney health. Use of supplement oxygen is not prohibited.

M2. Chemical and Physical Manipulation

This category prohibits sample substitution, urine dilution, and other actions like use of protease that compromise sample integrity and anti-doping control reliability. Also prohibited in this category are intravenous infusions or injections that exceed 100 mL in 12 hours, except those that are part of medical treatments.

M3. Gene and Cell Doping

Technologies enabling gene editing or cell-based therapies to enhance performance—such as follistatin AAV1-FS344, which has documented muscle growth effects in nonhuman primates—fall under this classification. Follistatin represents one of the earliest documented types of gene doping that seeks to replicate follistatin and in so doing biologically inhibit myostatin and enhance muscle growth.

Substances Prohibited In-Competition Only

Certain banned substance categories are restricted during competition periods but not out-of-competition. Athletes may use these substances outside competition only within governing body guidelines.

S6. Stimulants

Stimulants, including amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ephedrine exceeding regulatory thresholds, are banned in competition due to their alertness-promoting and fatigue-masking properties. Risks include addiction and potential cardiovascular complications.

More than 80 stimulants are prohibited by WADA including now notorious drugs like methylhexaneamine (DMAA), DMBA, Octodrine (DMHA), nootropics like phenylpiracetam, and chemicals like strychnine. The stimulant category also includes phenethylamines and derivatives, which have been used in concentrated forms as supplement ingredients but also are widely present naturally in plants and are used as flavoring additives.

Citrus species are known to contain phenethylamine alkaloids like octopamine or hordenine. N-methylphenethylamine is present in a number of common foodstuffs like apples, cabbage, carrots in low amounts. N,N-dimethylphenethylamine is a GRAS flavoring additive that is very common in a variety of foods including cereal and generally safe when uses in low amounts as a flavor but safety has not been established at the high amounts used in supplements. Tyramine and hordenine are also present in beer. WADA notes in FAQs that amounts of phenethylamines in food should not cause positive drug tests.

The stimulant category also includes the included but not limited to language that can be interpreted by different groups to mean that certain substances are prohibited. For example. in Australia the trademarked supplement ingredient dynamine (methylliberine) is considered to be a prohibited stimulant, but such substances are not yet targeted in the scope of WADA drug testing. This is an example of the inconsistent interpretations of the related substance language included in many WADA categories.

S7. Narcotics

Narcotic analgesics used to suppress pain—such as morphine, fentanyl, and oxycodone—are prohibited in this WADA category. Use can compound injuries and result in dependency. Codeine is not prohibited on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List. Tramadol was added to the list of prohibited substances in 2024. The list of narcotics is specifics, so other drugs that may qualify are not prohibited. Heroin is now treated as a substance of abuse.

S8. Cannabinoids

Drugs in this category include delta-9 THC and synthetic cannabinoids, which are prohibited in competition only. THC is now considered a substance of abuse. CBD is not banned by WADA. Testing for Delta-9 THC uses a urinary threshold of 150 ng/mL; other cannabinoids except CBD are prohibited without exception.

The BSCG Certified CBD certification is available to hemp or CBD product brands that want to verify the quality of products and ensure they are acceptable to athletes. The program includes testing for CBD and THC to verify label claims and protect against positive drug tests. BSCG employs a daily dose limit on THC that is much lower than standard regulatory limits typically required for CBD products. Every lot is also screened for more than 450 banned substances with surveillance testing for environmental contaminants like heavy metals, microbiological agents or pesticides.

S9. Glucocorticoids

These compounds, also called glucocorticosteroids, such as prednisone, dexamethasone, and triamcinolone, are prohibited in competition due to their metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects. Prohibition depends on administration route and timing. Injectable, oral [including oromucosal (e.g. buccal, gingival, sublingual)] or rectal routes are prohibited. Inhaled, and topical: dental-intracanal, dermal, intranasal, ophthalmological, otic and perianal) are not prohibited if used in accordance with therapeutic instructions. It should be noted that many professional sport groups or military drug testing programs do not cover glucocorticoids.

Substances Prohibited in Particular Sports

Certain drug classes are restricted only in sports where they confer identified advantages like calming heart rate.

P1. Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers, such as propranolol, atenolol, and metoprolol, are prohibited in disciplines like archery, shooting, billiards, darts, and certain skiing sports because of their ability to reduce heart rate and hand tremor. These drugs can also be prescribed for medical conditions such as hypertension and would require a therapeutic use exemption and doctors prescription to be used by drug tested athletes.

Common Supplement Risks Related to the WADA Prohibited List

Dietary supplements present a documented risk for anti-doping violations because they remain outside WADA regulations and are frequently contaminated. Published analyses report contamination prevalence from 10% to 35% in some supplement categories. A systematic review referencing 50 studies found that more than 28% of analyzed supplements contained undeclared performance-enhancing substances that could lead to inadvertent positive drug tests.

Manufacturers may deliberately add banned substances or inadvertently cross-contaminate supplements due to inadequate quality control at stages of production and packaging. Regulatory standards for supplement manufacturing are less stringent than those for pharmaceuticals, which contributes to contamination and mislabeling. Supplements commonly feature inaccurately listed ingredients or omitted declarations of prohibited substances.

Analytical technologies such as GC-MS and LC-MS/MS can detect compounds in urine at picogram-per-milliliter concentrations; these low levels can prompt anti-doping rule violations even when no physiologically significant exposure occurs. Under strict liability, athletes remain responsible for all substances found in their bodies, without exception for cases of poorly labeled supplements or accidental ingestion.

A significant percentage of anti-doping cases demonstrate the career consequences that can result from supplement contamination. Jessica Hardy's clenbuterol adverse finding linked to a contaminated sports drink, Pavle Jovanovich's positive for 19-norandrostenedione from supplement use, and Simona Halep's Roxadustat case resulting from a product with undisclosed content underscore these risks. Contaminated products have been documented to cause reputational harm and substantial economic losses for athletes.

The Role of Third-Party Certification and BSCG Certified Drug Free or Certified CBD

Third-party supplement certification programs offer an established means for athletes and brands to address anti-doping risks. The BSCG Certified Drug Free program, which incorporates over 25 years of experience in sport drug testing, includes banned substance protection, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance, and annual product specification verification in a unified system. The BSCG Certified CBD program offers similar protection tailored for hemp and CBD products.

BSCG tests every finished product lot for over 450 substances, including more than 400 WADA Prohibited Substances and 50 prescription, over-the-counter, or illicit drugs not specifically banned in sport. The quality control process for raw materials and finished products in carefully scrutinized with specifications and certificates of analysis verified annually. GMP compliance audits are required for manufacturers.

The BSCG testing menu addresses substances identified in more than 98% of positive tests worldwide in the past decade. Certification under this program indicates alignment with standards of sport drug-testing authorities such as WADA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS, NBA, PGA, LPGA, NCAA, NASCAR, ATP, WTA, CFL, UFC, and CrossFit.

Organizations increasingly reference third-party certification. The NFL cited BSCG as a trusted certification provider in its 2025 Supplements Memo, describing third-party programs as the most reliable way to reduce supplement-related risk. The UFC designates only third-party certified supplements as UFC Approved Supplements, and the International Testing Agency (ITA) emphasizes the value of certification programs—including BSCG Certified Drug Free, Cologne List, Informed Sport/Informed Choice, and NSF Certified for Sport—within anti-doping compliance resources. These references indicate sector-wide recognition of independently verified supplement controls.

No available certification can guarantee a negative doping test result. However, history indicates that ongoing participation in established third-party certification programs provides a verifiable reduction in anti-doping risk. In over a decade of operation, no supplement covered by BSCG certification has produced a positive doping test result. In WADA FAQs on the Prohibited List they note, "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."

Frequently Asked Questions

Does WADA approve dietary supplements?

WADA does not approve, certify, or endorse dietary supplements. Athletes assume responsibility for supplement use, and WADA recommends using reputable third-party certification programs if athletes choose to use dietary supplements.

Are peptides prohibited by WADA?

Many peptides, including synthetic analogues related to growth hormone and erythropoiesis stimulation, are prohibited by WADA regardless of dosage or source. Peptides advertised as research chemicals generally fall under the S0 category of Non-Approved Substances. It should be noted that any unapproved drug or substance may be considered prohibited by WADA at any time.

Is CBD allowed under WADA rules?

CBD is not listed as prohibited by WADA. However, CBD-containing products may have trace amounts of THC or contain other cannabinoids, and such presence carries a risk of adverse analytical findings for THC. The BSCG Certified CBD program provides protection to drug tested athletes and professionals by incorporating banned substance screening, CBD and THC testing, and surveillance testing for environmental contaminants into one third party certification.

How can athletes reduce supplement-related doping risk?

Athletes may mitigate doping risk by restricting supplement use, confirming medication compliance, and selecting supplement products that have been rigorously tested by credible third-party programs, such as BSCG Certified Drug Free, Cologne List, Informed Sport/Informed Choice, and NSF Certified for Sport. The BSCG Certified CBD program offers protection to hemp or CBD brands and consumers. It is critical to verify that the lot number on the package corresponds to a certified batch.

What is strict liability in anti-doping?

Strict liability mandates that athletes are responsible for the detection of any prohibited substance in their bodies, irrespective of intent or origin. Accidental ingestion does not exempt athletes from anti-doping violations or related sanctions.

How often is the WADA Prohibited List updated?

The WADA Prohibited List is revised on an annual basis, with each update published in October and taking effect January 1 of the following year.

Ongoing Considerations for Maintaining Clean Sport

Long-term compliance with anti-doping protocols depends on educational initiatives, systematic testing procedures, and independent oversight processes rooted in the WADA Prohibited List. WADA continues to implement regulatory updates, athlete education resources, Therapeutic Use Exemption programs, and whereabouts monitoring to preserve the integrity of athletics.

Sport organizations should provide athletes with clear information regarding supplement risks and independent certification programs that reduce the risks. Appropriate guidance references products and certification systems that are subject to recognized anti-doping testing, such as BSCG Certified Drug Free, Cologne List, Informed Sport/Informed Choice, and NSF Certified for Sport.

The WADA Prohibited List undergoes regular updates to incorporate new methods and substances. For example, carbon monoxide has recently been added as a prohibited method, and language pertaining to myostatin inhibitors has expanded. The list continues to expand to cover unapproved peptides like BPC-157 or research chemicals like BAM15.

Accurate comprehension of the WADA Prohibited List, down to detailed category-specific information, is essential for athletes, teams, and supplement brands. Education, thorough testing, and consistent independent oversight constitute fundamental strategies for anti-doping compliance and responsible participation in sport.