The World Anti-Doping Agency reminds all stakeholders that this year's illicit drugs catalogue and the Monitoring Programme come into force as of 1 January. The table was approved by WADA's Executive Committee at its meeting on 11 September.
The list is one of eight International Standards that are mandatory for all signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code. It specifies which substances and methods are prohibited both in and out of competition, and which substances are banned only in certain sports. The 2026 Monitoring Programme covers substances that are not on the index but that WADA wishes to track in order to detect possible patterns of misuse in sport.
As set out in the 2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, the main changes for 2026 include additional examples and clarifications have been introduced in the following substance classes to help athletes and their support personnel better identify what is prohibited: anabolic agents; peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics; hormone and metabolic modulators, and stimulants. Dosing intervals for salmeterol have been adjusted to avoid potential performance-enhancing effects, although the maximum total daily dose remains unchanged. Further detail has been provided on the prohibition of blood withdrawal and manipulation of blood components.
Non-diagnostic use of carbon monoxide has been added as a new Prohibited Method under section M1.4. The use of carbon monoxide for diagnostic purposes, such as measuring total haemoglobin mass or assessing lung diffusing capacity, remains permitted. Also, the existing ban on the use of normal or genetically modified cells has been expanded to include cellular components, for example nuclei and organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes. Meanwhile, the Glucocorticoid Washout Table now clarifies that the use of sustained-release formulations can lead to detectable glucocorticoid levels even after the recommended washout period because of prolonged systemic absorption.
Click Here to see the Full WADA’s 2026 Prohibited List-
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