Peptides in sport: the WADA list and testing

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List bans many peptides at all times, in and out of competition ^[1]. Most fall under three sections: S0 for non-approved substances, S2 for peptide hormones and growth factors, and S4 for hormone and metabolic modulators ^[1]. The 2026 List took effect on January 1, 2026, and the 2027 List takes effect on January 1, 2027 ^{[1, 2]}.

S0: non-approved substances

S0 bans any drug that no government health authority has approved for human therapeutic use and that no other section of the List covers. Examples include drugs still in development, discontinued drugs, designer drugs and drugs approved only for animals ^[1]. The 2026 List names BPC-157 as an example ^[1]. All S0 substances are Specified Substances ^[1].

For 2027, WADA added the word "peptides" to the S0 examples ^[3]. WADA explains that many peptides not approved for human use fall under S0 or other sections such as S2 or S4. It says that even a peptide not named on the List may still be prohibited and may be harmful to health ^[4].

S2: peptide hormones, growth factors and mimetics

S2 bans these substances at all times, and all S2 substances are non-Specified ^[1]. The parts most relevant to peptides are:

S2.2.1: testosterone-stimulating peptides in males, including kisspeptin and its agonist analogs ^[1].
S2.2.3: growth hormone fragments, such as AOD-9604 and hGH 176-191 ^[1].
S2.2.4: growth hormone releasing factors. The List names CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin, ipamorelin, ibutamoren (MK-677), and GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 ^[1].
S2.3: growth factors, including thymosin beta-4 and its derivatives such as TB-500 ^[1].

The 2027 List keeps these same S2 entries ^[3].

S4: hormone and metabolic modulators

S4.4 covers metabolic modulators. Its first group bans AMPK activators and names MOTS-c as an example ^[1]. S4.4 also covers insulins and insulin mimetics ^[1]. Substances in S4.3 and S4.4 are non-Specified ^[1].

For 2027, WADA added seladelpar as a PPAR-delta agonist example and added SLU-PP-332 and SLU-PP-915 as examples of metabolic modulators ^[4]. MOTS-c stays on the 2027 List ^[3].

GLP-1 drugs: monitored, not banned

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are not on the Prohibited List. They are on WADA's 2026 Monitoring Program, which tracks substances WADA wants to watch for patterns of misuse ^[5]. They stay on the 2027 Monitoring Program ^[6].

WADA said on September 21, 2026 that the status of GLP-1 receptor agonists will stay the same for 2027. It said there is not yet enough evidence that they meet the criteria for the List, and it has started a second study of their effects in athletes ^[2].

How a substance gets on the List

WADA updates the List every year after a consultation process, and it publishes the new List by October 1 ^[2]. A substance can be added if it meets at least two of three criteria: it may enhance performance, it is a real or possible health risk to athletes, or it violates the spirit of sport ^[2].

How testing is done

Under the World Anti-Doping Code, any athlete may be asked for a sample at any time and at any place by an anti-doping organization with authority over them ^[7]. Athletes in a registered testing pool must give whereabouts information so testers can find them ^[7].

To prove a positive result directly, samples must be analyzed only in WADA-accredited or WADA-approved laboratories ^[7]. A positive A sample proves a violation when the B sample analysis confirms the substance, or when the athlete waives the B sample analysis ^[7].

The Athlete Biological Passport adds a second approach. It tracks markers in an athlete's blood or urine over time to find the effects of doping, not just the drug itself ^[9]. Its Endocrine Module, added in 2023, looks for use of growth hormone and growth hormone releasing factors ^[9].

A violation does not always need a positive test. Use or attempted use of a banned substance can be shown by any reliable means ^[7]. An anti-doping rule violation case may be started up to 10 years after the violation is said to have happened ^[7].

Strict liability and penalties

The Code says athletes are responsible for any banned substance found in their samples. Intent, fault or knowing use do not need to be shown for a violation ^[7]. This is called strict liability ^[7].

The usual ban is four years when the violation involves a non-Specified Substance, unless the athlete can show it was not intentional. It is also four years for a Specified Substance when the anti-doping organization shows it was intentional ^[7]. Otherwise, the ban is two years ^[7].

An athlete with a medical need may apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). Use that matches a granted TUE is not a violation ^[7].

A new World Anti-Doping Code takes effect on January 1, 2027 ^[8]. Check the FDA Peptide Status Tracker for each peptide's WADA entry ^[1].

Frequently asked questions

Is BPC-157 banned by WADA?

Yes. The 2026 List names BPC-157 as an example under S0, non-approved substances, banned at all times ^[1].

Is a peptide that is not named on the List allowed?

Not always. WADA says many peptides not approved for human use fall under S0, S2 or S4 even if they are not named ^[4].

Are semaglutide and tirzepatide banned in sport?

No. They are on WADA's Monitoring Program for 2026 and 2027, not the Prohibited List ^{[5, 6]}.

Can growth hormone secretagogues like ipamorelin be detected?

Ipamorelin is banned under S2.2.4. WADA's passport program has an Endocrine Module that looks for use of growth hormone releasing factors ^{[1, 9]}.

What is strict liability in anti-doping?

Athletes are responsible for any banned substance in their sample. Intent or fault does not need to be shown to prove a violation ^[7].

How long is a doping ban?

Usually four years for a non-Specified Substance unless the athlete shows it was not intentional, and two years in other cases. Fault can change this ^[7].

When does the 2027 Prohibited List start?

It takes effect on January 1, 2027. WADA published it on September 21, 2026 ^[2].

Can an athlete use a banned peptide for a medical reason?

Only with a Therapeutic Use Exemption. Use that matches a granted TUE is not a violation ^[7].