WADA Prohibited List for 2026: Changes

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes an updated Prohibited List every year. For 2026, there is only one instance where a substance or method transitions from permitted to prohibited (see below). The 2026 Prohibited List also includes new examples of prohibited substances and several clarifications.

It is important to remember that the WADA Prohibited List is not exhaustive, and there may exist substances that are not directly listed but still belong to a category of the Prohibited List. Before taking any medications or dietary supplements, it is important to check them for the presence of prohibited substances.

We remind you that under the World Anti-Doping Code athletes bear strict liability, meaning they are personally responsible for everything that enters their body. The Prohibited List for 2026 and WADA’s explanatory note to the changes can be reviewed via the link.

New Examples and Clarifications

S1. Anabolic Agents

WADA clarified that esters of prohibited anabolic agents are also prohibited. An ester is a chemical modification that influences the duration a drug stays in the system and its effect. For example, common esters of testosterone are testosterone cypionate or testosterone propionate. WADA changed the phrase “and other substances with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s) including their esters” in order to clarify this point.

S3. Beta-2 Agonists

The dosing interval for inhaled salmeterol has been updated to ensure it is used in a nondoping way. The total amount of inhaled salmeterol allowed in a 24-hour period remains the same (200 micrograms), but you cannot exceed 100 micrograms in any 8-hour period. It is recommended to check the metered dose carefully so as not to exceed the permitted inhaled dosage. Beta-2 agonists administered by any other route remain prohibited at all times.

S2. Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors and Related Substances

Pegmolesatide has been added as an example of a new EPO-mimetic agent. This drug is not currently approved for therapeutic use in the United States, but is being studied for treatment of anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. The drug is approved for human use in some other countries.

S4. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators

Two substances that were found in dietary supplements and products marketed as “research chemicals” (i.e., substances intended for scientific research) have been added to the Prohibited List:

• 2-Phenylbenzo[h]chromen-4-one (e.g. α-naphthoflavone or 7,8-benzoflavone) — aromatase inhibitor

• BAM15 (e.g. 5-N,6-N-bis(2-fluorophenyl)-[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine-5,6-diamine) — AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator

M.1. Manipulation of Blood and Blood Components

Although removing blood or blood components and then returning them into the circulatory system remains prohibited, WADA clarified that even the withdrawal of blood or blood components (with or without reinfusion) is also prohibited, except for:

1. Analytical purposes, such as medical tests or Doping Control;

2. Donation purposes performed in a collection centre accredited by the relevant regulatory authority of the country in which it operates. Athletes who donate blood or plasma should keep records of their donations in case they are required in future.

Another change for 2026 is the addition of new section M1.4 — non-diagnostic use of carbon monoxide (CO), because it can increase erythropoiesis (red blood cell production) under certain conditions and presents potentially fatal effects when inhaled in high or uncontrolled doses. The use of carbon monoxide for controlled, diagnostic purposes, such as measurement of total haemoglobin mass by CO rebreathing or determination of pulmonary diffusion capacity, is not prohibited.

M.3. Gene and Cell Doping

WADA has added cell components (for example, nuclei and organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes) to the existing prohibition on use of normal or genetically modified cells.

Keep in mind that for cell components to be prohibited they must be performance enhancing, or have the potential to be performance enhancing. Athletes can read more about permitted uses of stem cells or exosomes (which are organelles) on the USADA website.

S6. Stimulants

In the category S6 “Stimulants”, the following were added to the S6.A list of non-specified stimulants: 2-[Bis(4-fluorophenyl)methylsulfinyl]acetamide (flmodafinil) and 2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methylsulfinyl]-N-hydroxyacetamide (fladrafinil). These unapproved drugs are potent analogues of modafinil and adrafinil and have been found in dietary supplements or in products marketed as “research chemicals”.

S9. Glucocorticoids

While WADA published a wash-out table showing how long certain glucocorticoids take to clear from the system, athletes should be aware that use of sustained-release glucocorticoid formulations may result in detectable levels beyond the wash-out period due to prolonged systemic absorption. Therefore, athletes who plan on using sustained-release preparations close to competition period should retain all medical documentation in case a retrospective Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is required.