The World Anti-Doping Agency has released its 2027 Prohibited List, introducing updates involving cannabinoids, peptides, hormone and metabolic modulators, masking agents and substances being monitored for potential misuse in sport.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published its 2027 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods , setting out the substances and methods that will be prohibited in sport beginning January 1, 2027.
The 2027 List was approved by WADA's Executive Committee on September 10, 2026. WADA has also published its Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, a redline version identifying changes from the previous List and the 2027 Monitoring Program.
For athletes, coaches, sport administrators, physicians, trainers and other athlete support personnel, the annual release is an important opportunity to review medications, supplements and other products before the updated anti-doping rules take effect.
Key 2027 changes at a glance
- Substances of Abuse: WADA clarified how metabolites should be considered during the results management process.
- Non-approved peptides: Additional examples and guidance have been added to help identify peptides that may be prohibited.
- Hormone and Metabolic Modulators: Section S4 includes updated terminology and additional examples of prohibited substances.
- Diuretics and Masking Agents: New examples have been added under Section S5, including eplerenone and finerenone.
- Cannabinoids: Section S8 has been updated to reflect current scientific knowledge surrounding THC-like effects.
- CBD and THC: CBD remains permitted, but athletes should be aware that some CBD products may contain prohibited THC.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists: Semaglutide and tirzepatide remain on WADA's Monitoring Program and are not prohibited under the 2027 List.
- Monitoring Program: Several substances have been removed after WADA determined that sufficient monitoring data had been collected.
What is the WADA Prohibited List?
The Prohibited List is an international anti-doping standard that identifies substances and methods athletes subject to anti-doping rules cannot use. It is one of the International Standards that support implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code.
Some substances and methods are prohibited at all times, including both in and out of competition. Others are prohibited only during competition, while certain restrictions apply only to athletes competing in specific sports.
WADA reviews the List annually using scientific and medical research, emerging drug information, patterns of substance use, intelligence, consultation with stakeholders and recommendations from its expert committees.
Under the World Anti-Doping Code framework, a substance or method can be considered for inclusion when it meets at least two of three criteria: the potential to enhance or actually enhance sport performance, an actual or potential health risk to athletes, or a violation of the spirit of sport.
Substances of Abuse receive additional clarification
One change for 2027 concerns the wording surrounding Substances of Abuse.
WADA has clarified that the presence of metabolites associated with these substances should be considered during the results management process when relevant.
Metabolites are compounds produced as the body processes a substance. Their presence can therefore become relevant when anti-doping authorities assess an analytical finding and the circumstances surrounding a test result.
WADA adds further clarification about non-approved peptides
Another important update appears under S0: Non-Approved Substances.
WADA has highlighted that many peptides which have not received approval for human therapeutic use from a governmental regulatory health authority can fall within the prohibited categories.
Important: A peptide does not necessarily need to be individually named on the Prohibited List for it to be prohibited. Depending on the substance, it may fall under S0 or another applicable prohibited category.
This clarification is increasingly relevant because peptides and other compounds marketed for muscle development, recovery, body composition and performance can be easily encountered online.
The fact that a product can be purchased does not establish that the substance is medically approved, safe for human use or permissible under anti-doping rules.
Hormone and metabolic modulators updated
WADA has revised the title of Section S4.2 to better reflect current terminology for anti-estrogenic substances.
The List also contains additional examples within the broader Hormone and Metabolic Modulators category.
| Substance | 2027 update |
|---|---|
| Imlunestrant | Added as an example within the updated anti-estrogenic substances section. |
| Seladelpar | Added as an example of a PPAR-delta agonist. |
| SLU-PP-332 | Added as an example of a metabolic modulator acting particularly on oxidative metabolism. |
| SLU-PP-915 | Added as another example of a metabolic modulator acting particularly on oxidative metabolism. |
Changes involving diuretics and masking agents
The S5 Diuretics and Masking Agents category has also received new examples for 2027.
WADA has added eplerenone and finerenone as examples within this category.
The update reinforces an important point for athletes taking prescription medications. A medication being legitimately prescribed does not automatically determine its status under anti-doping rules.
Athletes should verify the anti-doping status of medications and determine whether a Therapeutic Use Exemption or another applicable medical exemption process is required.
Cannabinoid rules receive additional attention
The S8 Cannabinoids section has been updated to reflect current scientific knowledge concerning the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or Δ9-THC, like effects of commonly encountered cannabinoids.
WADA has also added additional examples and clarifications to help athletes and support personnel better understand which cannabinoids may fall within the prohibited category.
CBD itself is not prohibited.
However, CBD products derived from cannabis plants can contain varying concentrations of THC, which remains prohibited in competition.
This creates a practical risk for athletes using CBD oils, creams, recovery products or supplements.
An athlete may intend to consume only CBD but still be exposed to THC if the product contains undeclared or unexpected concentrations.
Athletes should therefore use particular caution with cannabis-derived products and should not assume that a manufacturer's label guarantees that a product is free from substances prohibited in sport.
GLP-1 drugs remain unchanged for 2027
The status of GLP-1 receptor agonists is another area of interest heading into 2027.
WADA has confirmed that the status of GLP-1 receptor agonists including semaglutide and tirzepatide remains unchanged while additional information is collected concerning their potential effects and patterns of use among athletes.
These substances remain part of WADA's Monitoring Program.
Monitoring does not mean prohibited. WADA's Monitoring Program includes substances that are not currently prohibited but are being observed to identify potential patterns of misuse in sport.
Their presence in the Monitoring Program allows WADA to gather additional evidence before determining whether any future changes should be considered.
Changes to the 2027 Monitoring Program
The Monitoring Program allows WADA to collect information about substances that are not prohibited but could warrant continued observation.
For 2027, several substances have been removed after WADA determined that sufficient information had been gathered and that they did not currently represent a concern requiring continued monitoring.
The Monitoring Program remains an important component of WADA's broader scientific work because it can identify emerging patterns before decisions are made about whether a substance should receive further regulatory attention.
Other changes athletes should know about
The 2027 List also includes several smaller technical adjustments.
Under S9 Glucocorticoids, vaginal administration has been added as a permitted route of administration.
WADA has also harmonized wording within the P1 Beta-Blockers category among International Federations.
While some of these revisions appear highly technical, they can have practical implications for athletes competing in affected sports or using specific medications.
How WADA updates the Prohibited List
Publication of the new List is the end of a review process that takes place throughout the year.
WADA's annual process incorporates scientific and medical research, information from pharmaceutical companies, trends identified in anti-doping, intelligence and consultation with stakeholders.
The Health, Medical and Research Committee reviews the proposed changes before the List is submitted to WADA's Executive Committee for approval.
The List is then published ahead of its January 1 implementation date so that athletes, support personnel and sport organizations have time to understand the changes and update their practices.
What should athletes do before January 1, 2027?
Athletes should not wait for a doping-control test to determine whether their medications and supplements comply with anti-doping rules.
Before the 2027 List takes effect, athletes should review:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Supplements
- Protein powders and sport nutrition products
- CBD and cannabis-derived recovery products
- Peptides and other performance or recovery products
Canadian athletes can use Global DRO to search the anti-doping status of medications.
Sport Integrity Canada also provides information concerning medical exemptions and supplement risks .
Therapeutic Use Exemptions remain important
Athletes who have a legitimate medical reason to use a prohibited substance or method may be able to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
The TUE process is designed to determine whether an athlete satisfies the medical requirements established under the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions.
Athletes who require medication should work with qualified medical professionals and the appropriate anti-doping organization rather than stopping or changing medically necessary treatment without appropriate advice.
Check medications again for 2027. Athletes should not assume that a medication or product has the same anti-doping status simply because they used it during a previous season.
Education resources are available
WADA provides educational material through its Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform , commonly known as ADEL.
The platform provides educational resources for athletes, coaches, medical professionals and athlete support personnel.
WADA is also making implementation resources available through its Code Implementation Support Program, with additional athlete and athlete support personnel guidance for the 2027 List expected ahead of its implementation.
Why the 2027 Prohibited List matters
The 2027 WADA Prohibited List is not a complete rewrite of global anti-doping rules, but the annual changes demonstrate why athletes and sport organizations need to review the List every year.
Emerging peptides, prescription medications, metabolic modulators, cannabinoids, supplements and potentially contaminated products can create anti-doping issues that may not be obvious from a product label or marketing description.
The continued monitoring of semaglutide and tirzepatide also demonstrates that WADA's work extends beyond substances already classified as prohibited. Monitoring allows the agency to study emerging patterns and scientific evidence before determining whether further action is necessary.
With the new List taking effect on January 1, 2027, athletes have an opportunity to review medications and supplements, consult qualified professionals and understand the updated rules before the new anti-doping year begins.
Official WADA and athlete resources
Frequently asked questions
When does the 2027 WADA Prohibited List take effect?
The 2027 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods comes into force on January 1, 2027.
Is CBD prohibited by WADA in 2027?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is not prohibited. Athletes should nevertheless exercise caution because CBD products derived from cannabis plants can contain THC, which remains prohibited in competition.
Is semaglutide prohibited by WADA in 2027?
Semaglutide remains part of WADA's Monitoring Program alongside tirzepatide. Inclusion in the Monitoring Program does not itself make a substance prohibited.
Are peptides prohibited in sport?
The status depends on the specific substance. WADA has clarified that many peptides not approved for human therapeutic use may fall under S0 Non-Approved Substances or another prohibited category, even when the individual peptide is not specifically named.
What should an athlete do if a prohibited medication is medically necessary?
Depending on the circumstances, the athlete may need a Therapeutic Use Exemption. Athletes should consult the appropriate anti-doping organization and qualified medical professionals to determine the requirements that apply to them.
Sources: World Anti-Doping Agency 2027 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, WADA Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, WADA 2027 Monitoring Program and Sport Integrity Canada.
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