Important Changes to the 2024 Prohibited List

• 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) and troponin activators (e.g. Reldesemtiv and Tirasemtiv) were listed as examples.

• Trestolone (7ɑ-methyl-19-nortestosterone, MENT), dimethandrolone (7ɑ,11ß-Dimethyl19-nortestosterone) and 11ß-methyl-19 nortestosterone were added as examples of nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) analogues.  

• S2.2.1 was reworded under the heading of “Testosterone-stimulating peptides in males” for clarity. This specifies that buserelin, deslorelin, goserelin, histrelin, leuprorelin, nafarelin and triptorelin are examples of Gonadotrophin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist analogues, with histrelin added as a new example.
  Kisspeptin and its agonist analogues, which act to stimulate GnRH secretion, and consequently testosterone, were also added.
• S2.2.2 : Tetracosactide (ACTH 1-24) was added as an example, as it is the first 24 amino acid portion of natural corticotrophin (ACTH), and possesses the full biological activity of the natural hormone.
• S2.2.4: Capromorelin and ibutamoren (MK-677) were added as examples of growth hormone secretagogues (GHS), which are mimetics of the natural hormone, ghrelin, that stimulates the production of growth hormone (GH) and, in turn, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
• S2.3: The INN name for recombinant human IGF-1, mecasermin, was added.

•  S4.4.1 was updated to include Rev-Erb-ɑ agonists and as example, SR9011 was added and SR9009 was relocated.

• Editorial changes were made to section S5 to improve clarity. Conivaptan and mozavaptan were added as further examples of vaptan drugs.

• Donation by Athletes of plasma or plasma components by plasmapheresis is no longer prohibited when performed in a registered collection center.

The substance 2-phenylpropan-1-amine (beta-methylphenylethylamine, BMPEA) has been added to subclass S6.B. (Specific stimulants) as an example due to its occurrence in food supplements.

The substance tramazoline has been added to the exceptions under S6.B. as an imidazoline derivative and is therefore not prohibited for dermatological, nasal, ophthalmic or auricular use.

As decided by the WADA Executive Committee on September 23, 2022, the substance tramadol will be banned in competition from January 1, 2024. Tramadol had already been in WADA's monitoring program for several years. The data obtained from this revealed evidence of significant use in sports such as cycling, rugby and soccer. The abuse of tramadol, which is associated with dose-dependent risks of physical dependence, opiate addiction and overdose in the general population, is a cause for concern and has led to the substance being considered a narcotic in many countries. WADA-funded research projects1 have confirmed that tramadol can enhance physical performance in sport. The washout period§ is set by WADA at 24 hours based on the therapeutic use of tramadol.

Further information on the ban on tramadol can be found here: [Tramadol info sheet]

§ The term “washout period” refers to the time between the last dose administered and the start of the in-competition period (unless WADA has approved a different time period for a particular sport, the in-competition period generally begins shortly before midnight (at 11:59 p.m.) on the day before a competition in which the athlete is scheduled to compete).

¹ a) Holgado D, Zandonai T, Zabala M, Hopker J, Perakakis P, Luque-Casado A, Ciria L, Guerra-Hernandez E, Sanabria D. Tramadol effects on physical performance and sustained attention during a 20-min indoor cycling time-trial: A randomised controlled trial. JSci Med Sport. 2018 Jul;21(7):654-660.

b) Mauger L, Thomas T, Smith S, Fenell C. (2022). Is tramadol a performance enhancing drug? A randomised controlled trial. British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine Conference, 26-27 May 2022, Brighton, UK.

The washout periods° recommended by WADA after rectal administration of glucocorticoids have been added to the washout table for glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids remain prohibited in-competition when administered rectally. The washout times are based on the therapeutic use of glucocorticoid preparations in accordance with the maximum doses authorized by the manufacturer.

The washout table for glucocorticoids can also be found at the following link: https://www.nada.de/medizin/aktuelle-medizinische-hinweise/kortison-im-sport

°The term “washout period” refers to the time between the last dose administered and the start of the in-competition period (unless WADA has approved a different period for a particular sport, the in-competition period generally begins shortly before midnight (at 11:59 p.m.) on the day before a competition in which the athlete is scheduled to participate). This is to allow the elimination of the glucocorticoid below the reporting limit.

The substances salmeterol and vilanterol were removed from the monitoring program as the necessary data on prevalence had already been collected.

The substance tramadol was removed from the monitoring program because it will be banned from 1 January 2024 under substance class S7 narcotics within the competition.

The substances tapentadol and dihydrocodeine have been included in the 2024 monitoring program in order to observe their use in competition.

The GLP-1 analog semaglutide is included in the 2024 monitoring program to monitor its prevalence and use in and out of competition.