Understand the Prohibited List

The List is divided into substances and methods that are:

1. Prohibited at all times, or
2. Prohibited only In-Competition (In-Competition: The period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate through to the end of such Competition and the Sample collection process related to such Competition).

Those substances banned at all times would include (but are not limited to): hormones, anabolics, EPO, beta-2 agonists, masking agents and diuretics. 

Those substances prohibited only in-competition would include but not be limited to: stimulants, marijuana, narcotics and glucocorticosteroids. Also banned at all times: methods such as blood transfusion or manipulation, or intravenous injections in some situations.

It is important to remember that not all substances and methods are named on the Prohibited List. Even if not expressly named, a substance and method can be deemed prohibited if:

1. It is not currently approved by any governmental regulatory health authority for human therapeutic use (e.g. drugs under pre-clinical or clinical development or discontinued, designer drugs, substances approved only for veterinary use), or
2. It has a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s).

A substances or method can be added to the Prohibited List if it is deemed to meet two of the following three criteria:

1. It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance
2. Use of the substance or method represents an actual or potential health risk to the athlete
3. Use of the substance or method violates the spirit of sport (as described in the introduction to the Code).

Prohibited substances and methods are classified by the following categories within the List:

• S0. Non-approved substances
• S1. Anabolic agents
• S2. Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics
• S3. Beta-2 agonists
• S4. Hormone and metabolic modulators
• S5. Diuretics and masking agents
• S6. Stimulants (in-competition)
• S7. Narcotics (in-competition)
• S8. Cannabinoids (in-competition)
• S9. Glucocorticoids (in-competition)
• M1. Manipulation of blood and blood components
• M2. Chemical and physical manipulation
• M3. Gene doping

Above all, athletes are responsible for knowing what substances and methods are considered banned on the Prohibited List. Under World Athletics Rules, the presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete’s sample, or the use of a prohibited substance or prohibited method, constitutes a doping offence. 

It is therefore important that you acquaint yourself with WADA’s List of Prohibited Substances and Methods.

2025 WADA Prohibited List

The 2025 WADA Prohibited List which will come into force on 1 January 2025. Remember that you are solely responsible for any substances that are in your body, so make sure that you acquaint yourself with the new list well before any changes take place.

Download 2025 Prohibited List

2024 WADA Prohibited List

The 2024 WADA Prohibited List remains in force until 31 December 2024. Remember that you are solely responsible for any substances that are in your body, so make sure that you acquaint yourself with the new list well before any changes take place.

Download 2024 Prohibited List