Sport rules
Which of the 68 compounds are banned for tested athletes, college athletes and US service members, under the 2026 WADA list, the NCAA’s 2026–27 list and the Defense Department’s supplement rules.
A ban covers the substance, not the label. “Research use only” doesn’t change it, and under the World Anti-Doping Code athletes are responsible for any banned substance found in their sample, whether or not they meant to take it.
WADA 2026, compound by compound
Banned in sport 21
- AOD9604Human studies
- S2.2.3 peptide hormones: named as a growth hormone fragment (AOD-9604), banned at all times, in and out of competition.
- HGH Fragment 176-191Preclinical
- S2.2.3 growth hormone, its analogues and fragments: “growth hormone fragments, e.g. AOD-9604 and hGH 176-191”. Banned at all times, in and out of competition, so either reading of the name is covered.
- MOTS-cPreclinical
- Named on the 2026 list under S4.4.1 metabolic modulators (AMPK activators). Banned at all times, in and out of competition, as a non-specified substance.
- BPC-157Preclinical
- Named under S0 non-approved substances, banned at all times (in and out of competition).
- TB-500Preclinical
- Named under S2.3 growth factors (“thymosin-beta-4 and its derivatives, e.g. TB-500”), banned at all times.
- ARA-290Human studies
- Not named, but it is an innate repair receptor agonist, a class banned at all times under S2.1.5 (examples: asialo EPO, CEPO).
- MGFPreclinical
- S2.3 growth factors, which names “Mechano growth factors (MGFs)” outright. Banned at all times, in and out of competition.
- PEG-MGFPreclinical
- S2.3 growth factors, which names “Mechano growth factors (MGFs)” outright. Banned at all times, in and out of competition; pegylating the peptide does not change that.
- Thymosin Beta-4Human studies
- S2.3 growth factors and growth factor modulators: “thymosin-β4 and its derivatives e.g. TB-500” are named. Banned at all times.
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)Preclinical
- S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors: GHRH and its analogues, with CJC-1295 named. Mod GRF 1-29 is a GHRH analogue. Banned at all times.
- CJC-1295 with DACHuman studies
- S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors: GHRH and its analogues, with CJC-1295 named. Banned at all times.
- IpamorelinHuman studies
- S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors: growth hormone secretagogues, with ipamorelin named. Banned at all times.
- SermorelinHuman studies
- S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors: GHRH and its analogues, with sermorelin named. Banned at all times.
- TesamorelinApproved drug
- S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors: GHRH and its analogues, with tesamorelin named. Banned at all times.
- IGF-1 LR3Preclinical
- S2.3 growth factors: insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1, mecasermin) and its analogues. Banned at all times.
- GHRP-2Approved drug
- S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors: GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs), with GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) named. Banned at all times.
- GHRP-6Human studies
- S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors: GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs), with GHRP-6 named. Banned at all times.
- HexarelinHuman studies
- S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors: GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs), with examorelin (hexarelin) named. Banned at all times.
- MK-677Human studies
- S2.2.4 growth hormone releasing factors: growth hormone secretagogues and their mimetics, with ibutamoren (MK-677) named. Banned at all times.
- IGF-1 DESPreclinical
- S2.3 growth factors: “Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1, mecasermin) and its analogues”. A truncated IGF-1 is an analogue, so it is banned at all times.
- Follistatin-344Preclinical
- S4.3 agents preventing activin receptor IIB activation: myostatin-binding proteins, with follistatin named. Banned at all times, as a non-Specified substance. Follistatin gene therapy is separately covered by M3 gene and cell doping.
Likely banned in sport 18
- RetatrutideHuman studies
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- CagrilintideHuman studies
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- 5-Amino-1MQPreclinical
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- SLU-PP-332Preclinical
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, and its metabolic-modulator section doesn’t cover it. Its S0 rule for drugs with no human approval anywhere does.
- SurvodutideHuman studies
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- EpithalonPreclinical
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- HumaninPreclinical
- Not named on the 2026 list. MOTS-c, the other mitochondrial-derived peptide, is named under S4.4.1 as an AMPK activator, but humanin is not. With no approval by any health authority it falls under S0, non-approved substances, banned at all times.
- FOXO4-DRIPreclinical
- Not named on the 2026 list and not covered by any named section. With no approval by any health authority it falls under S0, non-approved substances, banned at all times.
- KPVPreclinical
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- CartalaxPreclinical
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- LarazotideHuman studies
- Not named on the 2026 list. It has no approval from any health authority, so it falls under S0 (non-approved substances), banned at all times.
- GHK-CuHuman studies
- Topical cosmetic use isn’t banned. Injected, it falls under WADA’s S0 rule for drugs with no current human approval anywhere.
- Melanotan 2Human studies
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- AdamaxPreclinical
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- PinealonPreclinical
- Not named on WADA’s 2026 list, but its S0 rule bans drugs with no current human approval anywhere, at all times.
- DihexaHuman studies
- Not named on the 2026 list. S2.3 covers growth factors and growth factor modulators and names hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) itself, but dihexa is not HGF, and S2.3’s catch-all reaches modulators affecting muscle, tendon or ligament, vascularization, energy use, regenerative capacity or fiber type switching, which a brain-synapse claim does not clearly match. An anti-doping body could still argue it belongs there as an HGF modulator. Either way S0 applies, because no health authority anywhere approves a medicine containing it, so it is banned at all times.
- PE-22-28Preclinical
- Not named on the 2026 list, and potassium-channel blockers are not a listed class. S0 applies: no governmental health authority anywhere approves a medicine containing it, so it is banned at all times.
- LL-37Human studies
- Not named on the 2026 list. It has no approval from any health authority, so it falls under S0 (non-approved substances), banned at all times.
Restricted in sport 9
- L-CarnitineApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list, so the substance is allowed. IV infusions or injections over 100 mL per 12 hours are banned at all times (M2.2) unless given in hospital care, surgery or clinical tests.
- TesofensineHuman studies
- S6.b specified stimulants: tesofensine is named (added in 2025). Banned in competition only.
- NAD+Human studies
- Not named on the 2026 list, so the substance is allowed. IV infusions or injections over 100 mL per 12 hours are banned at all times (M2.2) unless given in hospital care, surgery or clinical tests.
- GlutathioneApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list, so the substance is allowed. IV infusions or injections over 100 mL per 12 hours are banned at all times (M2.2) unless given in hospital care, surgery or clinical tests.
- hCGApproved drug
- S2.2.1 testosterone-stimulating peptides in males: chorionic gonadotropin is banned at all times for male athletes. Not prohibited for female athletes.
- Kisspeptin-10Human studies
- S2.2.1 testosterone-stimulating peptides: kisspeptin and its agonist analogues are banned at all times in males. The rule applies to males only.
- GonadorelinApproved drug
- S2.2.1 testosterone-stimulating peptides: gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, gonadorelin) and its agonist analogues are named, and the whole subsection applies to males only. Banned at all times in males, not prohibited for female athletes.
- TriptorelinApproved drug
- S2.2.1 testosterone-stimulating peptides: GnRH and its agonist analogues are banned, with triptorelin named among the examples, and the subsection applies to males only. Banned at all times in males, not prohibited for female athletes.
- CerebrolysinApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. Under M2.2, IV infusions or injections over 100 mL per 12 hours are banned unless received in hospital care.
Not banned in sport 20
- SemaglutideApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list, and S0 does not apply to an approved drug. WADA tracks it in its Monitoring Program (since 2024), which is not a ban.
- TirzepatideApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list, and S0 does not apply to an approved drug. It was added to WADA’s 2026 Monitoring Program, which tracks use but is not a ban.
- LiraglutideApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list, and S0 does not apply to an approved drug.
- ExenatideApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list, and S0 does not apply to an approved drug.
- MazdutideApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. China approved it in 2025, so the S0 rule for drugs with no government approval no longer applies, and no other section covers GLP-1 or glucagon agonists. WADA’s 2026 Monitoring Program tracks only semaglutide and tirzepatide in this class.
- OrforglipronApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. S0 covers only drugs with no current approval anywhere, and orforglipron has been FDA-approved since April 1, 2026. WADA’s 2026 Monitoring Program tracks semaglutide and tirzepatide, not orforglipron.
- SS-31Approved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. As an FDA-approved drug since 2025, it is not an unapproved (S0) substance.
- AHK-CuPreclinical
- Not named on the 2026 list. USADA lists the related cosmetic peptide tripeptide-1 (GHK) as not prohibited.
- SNAP-8Human studies
- Not named on the 2026 list. USADA lists other topical cosmetic peptides, such as hexapeptide-5 and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, as not prohibited.
- Melanotan 1Approved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. As an approved drug (Scenesse), afamelanotide is outside S0 non-approved substances.
- ArgirelineHuman studies
- Not named on the 2026 list. It’s a topical cosmetic ingredient; USADA lists similar cosmetic peptides, such as palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, as not prohibited.
- MatrixylHuman studies
- Not named on the 2026 list. It’s a topical cosmetic ingredient, and USADA lists palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 as not prohibited.
- PT-141Approved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. As an approved drug (Vyleesi), bremelanotide is outside S0 non-approved substances.
- OxytocinApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list.
- SelankApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. It is approved in Russia, so S0 (non-approved substances) does not apply.
- SemaxApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. S2 bans corticotrophins; Semax is an ACTH fragment analog but is not named. Approved in Russia, so S0 does not apply.
- DSIPApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. It is registered in Russia (Deltaran), so S0 (non-approved substances) does not apply.
- Thymosin Alpha-1Approved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list. S2 names thymosin beta-4 and TB-500, not thymosin alpha-1.
- ThymalinApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list.
- VIPApproved drug
- Not named on the 2026 list.
How the WADA list covers peptides
| Section | What it bans | Examples on this site |
|---|---|---|
| S0 | Any drug not covered elsewhere on the list that has no current approval for human use anywhere, named or not | BPC-157 (named), retatrutide, Epithalon and other unapproved research peptides |
| S1 | Anabolic agents: anabolic steroids (S1.1) and others, including SARMs (S1.2) | None; see peptides vs steroids |
| S2.1 | EPO and other agents that affect red blood cell production, including innate repair receptor agonists (S2.1.5) | ARA-290 |
| S2.2.1 | Testosterone-stimulating peptides in men: hCG, LH, GnRH and its agonists, kisspeptin | hCG, gonadorelin, triptorelin, kisspeptin-10 |
| S2.2.3 | Growth hormone, its analogs and fragments | AOD9604, HGH Fragment 176-191 |
| S2.2.4 | Growth hormone releasing factors: GHRH analogs, secretagogues and GHRPs | CJC-1295 (no DAC), sermorelin, tesamorelin, ipamorelin, MK-677, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin |
| S2.3 | Growth factors: IGF-1 and its analogs, mechano growth factors, thymosin beta-4 and its derivatives | IGF-1 LR3, MGF, TB-500, thymosin beta-4 |
| S4.4 | Metabolic modulators: AMPK activators, with MOTS-c named, PPAR-delta and Rev-erb agonists, and insulins | MOTS-c |
All of these are banned at all times, in and out of competition. WADA’s Monitoring Program, which tracks semaglutide and tirzepatide among others, isn’t a ban. An athlete with a medical need for a banned drug can apply for a therapeutic use exemption.
College sport (NCAA, 2026–27)
The NCAA bans whole classes, among them anabolic agents, which it says include SARMs such as ostarine, LGD-4033 and RAD140, and “peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics.” Its examples for that class include BPC-157, TB-500, ibutamoren (MK-677), growth hormone, IGF-1 and hCG; insulin and teriparatide (Forteo) are named exceptions.
Its list says any substance chemically or pharmacologically related to a banned class is banned too, that there is no complete list, and that the school and the student-athlete are accountable either way. Supplements can contain banned substances not on their labels, so the NCAA tells athletes to have any product checked by athletics staff first. A medical need for an anabolic agent or a peptide hormone needs NCAA approval before the athlete competes.
US military
Under a 2022 Defense Department instruction, service members may not use products containing anything on the DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients List, and stores on military installations can’t sell them. The list covers controlled substances and the substances in sections S0 to S5 of the WADA list, more than 800 in all. The Defense Department’s supplement-safety program says BPC-157 and peptide hormones such as growth hormone, GHRPs, hCG, IGF-1, sermorelin and ipamorelin are on it. Anabolic steroids are also Schedule III controlled substances.
Sources: WADA 2026 Prohibited List (S0 to S4) and Monitoring Program; World Anti-Doping Code, Article 2.1; WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions; NCAA 2026–27 Banned Substances list and medical exceptions page (updated July 2026); DoD Instruction 6130.06, Use of Dietary Supplements in the DoD (March 9, 2022); Operation Supplement Safety, BPC-157 (April 2025) and peptide hormones in supplements (March 2022); USADA, BPC-157 (updated August 2026); DEA, Anabolic steroids drug fact sheet (October 2025). Each compound’s listing is on its page, under Status.