Beginning 1 January 2024, the widely and commonly prescribed painkiller Tramadol is being added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. It will be prohibited for use “In–Competition,” with any athlete (pro or amateur) found to be using Tramadol facing the prospect of being charged with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and receiving a multi-year ban from sport.

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid pain medication to treat moderate-to-severe pain in adults. Doctors sometimes prescribe it to help athletes deal with general pain and recover from injury.

Former pro and banned doper Michael Barry told The Times that he had been given Tramadol while racing for Team Sky. “Tramadol made me feel euphoric, but it’s also hard to focus. It kills the pain in your legs, and you can push really hard. I had nagging injuries throughout my career and I used it when I was injured,” he said.

Now Tramadol will be prohibited during the In-Competition period unless the athlete has applied for and received a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). The In-Competition period usually begins at 23:59 on the night before competition.

Based on excretion studies performed by WADA, the washout period for Tramadol is ~24 hours. This is the time on average after taking Tramadol for it to washout of the body to a level that should not return a positive anti-doping test result – though, it still might.

If athletes need Tramadol for a medical reason close to the 24 hour period before the In-Competition period, they should talk to a doctor about alternative pain medications that are permitted in sport and double-check the anti-doping Global Drug Reference Online website.

Photo Credit: Sun Pharma

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