Important Changes to the 2024 Prohibited List

Important changes in the individual classes of prohibited substances on the 2024 Prohibited List are presented below. Classes of the Prohibited List that do not contain any changes in 2024 compared to 2023 are not mentioned below.

SUBSTANCES AND METHODS PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES (IN- AND OUT-OF-COMPETITION)

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.

SUBSTANCES AND METHODS PROHIBITED IN-COMPETITION

Tramadol is prohibited In-Competition as of 1 January 2024 as approved by the Executive Committee on 23 September 2022. Tramadol has been on the WADA Monitoring Program for some years. Monitoring data has indicated significant Use in sports including cycling, rugby and football. Tramadol abuse, with its dose-dependent risks of physical dependence, opiate use disorder and overdoses in the general population, is of concern and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries. Research studies funded by WADA1 have confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance physical performance in sports. The washout period§, based on the therapeutic use of tramadol, is established at 24 hours.

^§The “washout period” refers to the time from the last administered dose to the time of the start of the In-Competition period (i.e. beginning at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate, unless a different period was approved by WADA for a given sport).

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. J Sci Med Sport. 2018 Jul;21(7):654-660. b) Mauger L, Thomas T, Smith S, Fennell C. Tramadol is a performance-enhancing drug in highly trained cyclists: a randomized controlled trial. J Appl Physiol. 2023 Jul;135: 467–474.

The minimum washout periods¹ following rectal administration of glucocorticoids are now included in the Glucocorticoid Washout Table; glucocorticoids remain prohibited In-Competition when administered by the rectal route. These washout periods are based on the use of these medications according to the maximum manufacturer’s licensed doses:

The Washout Period Table is also found in the List FAQ: www.nada.de/en/medicine/current-medical-advice/regulation-regarding-glucocorticoids

¹⁾The “washout period” refers to the time from the last administered dose to the time of the start of the In-Competition period (i.e. beginning at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate, unless a different period was approved by WADA for a given sport). This is to allow elimination of the glucocorticoid to below the reporting level.