Doping traps
Doping includes not only the deliberate but also the unintentional use or ingestion of prohibited substances. These can be contained in medications, for example. Food supplements and normal foodstuffs may also contain doping-relevant substances that can lead to a positive doping result. Even such supposedly unintentional violations of anti-doping regulations can lead to sanctions. That is why we provide information about doping traps on this page.
Doping traps in the medicine cabinet
Prohibited substances may be contained in pharmaceuticals in the medicine cabinet, even in homeopathics remedies. Thus, athletes who are subject to doping controls should check each medication for possible doping relevance before using it.
Drug database NADAmed
Check drugs in our drug database NADAmed before taking. NADAmed provides easily accessible and quick information about the doping relevance of drugs.
To NADAmed
Doping trap nutritional supplements
Tablets, powders, gels - nutritional supplements can take many forms, promise great effect and yet can pose a risk to athletes. Why the intake of nutritional supplements can become a doping trap, we explain on our TOGETHER AGAINST DOPING website. NADA Germany advises a reflective approach to nutritional supplements. Before consuming a supplement, it should be checked for the presence of prohibited substances, e.g. with the Cologne List®.
Cologne List®
On the initiative of the Olympic Training Center NRW/Rhineland, the Cologne List® - in cooperation with NADA Germany, among others - lists products that have been tested for doping substances.
Doping trap lifestyle infusions
Some wellness centres, spas, cosmetic studios and alternative practitioners, as well as doctors in private practice or doctor-run beauty clinics, now offer infusions with high doses of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Depending on their composition, these infusions are said to have different effects, such as strengthening the immune system, reducing fat, improving the appearance of the skin, reducing stress, detoxification, regeneration after physical activity and much more.
For athletes, however, these infusions can become a doping trap. Infusions are prohibited under the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if more than 100 ml of fluid is administered within 12 hours.
While athletes can obtain medical exemptions for certain infusions, the requirements for a medical exemption are not met for lifestyle treatments. Firstly, the infusions are not used to treat a diagnosed illness, and secondly, there are permitted alternatives, such as tablets, infusions with a lower volume or the distribution over several days.
This applies to all athletes who are subject to the anti-doping regulations. Failure to comply with this rule may constitute a doping offence, which can be punished with a ban of several years.