The IPU National Health Products Catalogue has partnered with Sport Ireland to support the ongoing development and maintenance of Medcheck, a vital online resource that allows athletes, healthcare professionals, and the general public to verify whether their medications contain substances banned under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines.

Medcheck, accessible via medcheck.sportireland.ie, is designed to help people in Ireland make informed decisions about over-the-counter and prescription drugs, ensuring compliance with anti-doping regulations. With the IPU NHPC now contributing to the regular updating and accuracy of the database, this collaboration strengthens the integrity of Irish sport, enhances athlete education around medication safety, and promotes the Sport Ireland message of Clean Sport.

As athletes and support personnel prepare for next year, it’s crucial to understand the latest updates to the 2026 WADA Prohibited List, which come into effect on 1 January.

In addition to the 2026 WADA Prohibited List, two supplementary documents were also published — The 2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes and The 2026 Monitoring Program, which includes substances that are not on the List, but that WADA wishes to monitor in order to detect potential patterns of misuse in sport (both documents and the Prohibited List are available at wada-ama.org > Resources > Prohibited List).

Below is a summary of the key modifications and clarifications. Please consult the above listed documents for full guidance and information.

Substances and methods prohibited at all times (in and out of competition)

Prohibited substances:

• S1. Anabolic agents: It was clarified in S1.1. that esters of the prohibited steroids are also prohibited. This means that all variations of the anabolic steroids on the Prohibited List are also prohibited;
• S2. Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics: Pegmolesatide was added as an example of a new EPO-mimetic agent. This medicine was banned as it enhances endurance and aerobic performance;
• S3. Beta-2 Agonists: The maximum daily delivered dose of inhaled salmeterol remains unchanged for 2026, at 200 micrograms over 24 hours. The dosing intervals have however been changed, meaning athletes will only be able to therapeutically inhale up to 100 micrograms of salmeterol over any eight-hour period and not to exceed 200 micrograms over 24 hours. This was changed to avoid potential performance enhancing use; and
• S4. Hormone and Metabolic Modulators: There have been two new additions of synthetic substances that have been found in supplements, both are prohibited substances:
• o   2-Phenylbenzo[h]chromen-4-one, also known as ɑ-naphthoflavone or 7,8-benzoflavone, was added as an example of an aromatase inhibitor. This was banned as it is seen to change the body’s natural hormone levels and potentially promoting anabolic effects which may be performance enhancing; and
• 5-N,6-N-bis(2-fluorophenyl)-[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine-5,6-diamine, also known as BAM15, was added as an example of an activator of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This substance has never been approved for human use and presents some serious health risks.

Prohibited methods

M1. Manipulation of Blood and Blood Components

It was clarified that withdrawal of blood or blood components is prohibited except for

1. Analytical purposes including medical tests or Doping Control; or
2. Donation purposes performed in a collection centre accredited by the relevant regulatory authority of the country in which it operates.

Note that Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and related procedures remain not prohibited.

The non-diagnostic use of carbon monoxide was added to the Prohibited Methods as a new section, M 1.4. Carbon monoxide can increase erythropoiesis under certain conditions. The use of carbon monoxide for diagnostic purposes, is not prohibited.

M3. Gene and Cell Doping

Cell components (for example, nuclei and organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes) are added to the existing prohibition of using normal or genetically modified cells.

Substances and methods prohibited in-competition

Prohibited substances:

S6. Stimulants

There have been two new additions to the S6.A list of non-specified substances. These unapproved substances are potent analogs of modafinil and adrafinil and are sold as supplements.

• 2-[Bis(4-fluorophenyl)methylsulfinyl]acetamide (flmodafinil). This substance was banned as it may enhance performance; and
• 2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl) methylsulfinyl]-N-hydroxyacetamide (fladrafinil). This substance was banned as it increases mental alertness and enhances endurance.

S9. Glucocorticoids

It has been clarified in the ‘Glucocorticoids Washout Table’ that use of sustained-release formulations may result in detectable glucocorticoid levels past the washout period due to prolonged systemic absorption. ‘Depo’ injections are commonly used sustained release formulations (more information can be found in Glucocorticoids and Therapeutic Use Exemptions, available at wada-ama.org > Resources > Therapeutic Use Exemption > Glucocorticoids and Therapeutic Use Exemptions).

Monitoring programme

WADA has updated the Monitoring Programme for 2026. It is clarified that the urine monitoring of semaglutide includes also the monitoring of tirzepatide.

Tramadol and fentanyl will continue to be monitored for their use by athletes in the out-of-competition period.

Important athlete responsibilities

Stay informed

Use resources such as the WADA Prohibited List and verify the status of medications by using MedCheck

Verify supplements

If it has been identified that supplements are required, to minimise the risk of supplement contamination, only use supplements which have been batch-tested via Informed Sport (see sport.wetestyoutrust.com). Check out the Supplements and Herbal Remedies page on the Sport Ireland Anti-Doping website for more information (go to sportireland.ie > Our Work > Anti-Doping > Athlete Zone > Supplements and herbal remedies).

Seek guidance

Consult medical professionals or anti-doping officers if unsure about a substance or method.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding the Prohibited List can be found at wada-ama.org > Resources > Prohibited List, and by scrolling to the end of the page.