WADA publishes Prohibited List 2024

The new Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for 2024 has been published. The WADA Prohibited List 2024 will now be officially translated into German and made available on the homepage of the National Anti Doping Agency Germany (NADA) at the turn of the year. The English version of the WADA Prohibited List 2024, as well as the English explanations of the most important changes to the new WADA Prohibited List and the Monitoring Program, are now available in the download area of the NADA website.

The most important changes compared to 2023 concern the following classes of banned substances and methods:

Substance class S0:  The substance 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and troponin activators (e.g. reldesemtiv and tirasemtiv) were added as examples of non-approved substances.

In class M1. Manipulation of blood and blood components the donation of plasma or plasma components via plasmapheresis in a registered donation centre will be exempt from the ban from January 1, 2024.

In class S7. the substance tramadol was added to narcotics. From January 1, 2024, the use of tramadol within competition is prohibited and tramadol may not be detected in a doping control during competition. The change had already been announced in 2022. Tramadol has been on WADA's monitoring program for a number of years and results from the monitoring program indicate significant use, particularly in sports such as cycling, rugby and football. The active ingredient Tramadol requires a prescription in Germany. Research projects funded by WADA confirmed that tramadol can have a performance-enhancing effect in sports. WADA announces that it will publish a recommended for washout periods between the last use of tramadol and the next competition before January 1, 2024.

Further changes to the prohibited list consist of clarifications in the wording and the naming of further examples and synonyms for prohibited substances in classes S1.Anabolic agents, S2. Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics, S4. Hormone and metabolic modulators, S5. Diuretics and masking agents and S6. Stimulants.

The substances tapentadol and dihydrocodeine have been added to the monitoring program for 2024 in order to monitor possible abuse within the competition. In addition, the substance semaglutide (a GLP-1 analogue) was included in the monitoring program to examine possible abuse in and outside of competitions.

The WADA Prohibited List is one of eight international standards whose implementation is mandatory for all signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code. It specifies which substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of competition. The WADA Prohibited List is revised at least once a year.