On 1 Janaury 2026 the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List will include the following key rule changes that apply to professional, amateur and many gran fondo cyclists.

Keep in mind under the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes are strictly liable and responsible for what is in their body.

Also, before taking medications or supplements, it is important for athletes to check GlobalDRO.com and search by brand name or ingredients for the most up-to-date anti-doping status information, although this tool is not all-inclusive.

The 2026 Prohibited List and WADA’s accompanying detailed notes can be found here.

Key Changes for 2026

Prohibited Methods (M)

Carbon Monoxide Use: The non-diagnostic use of any rebreathing system or equipment that delivers carbon monoxide is now explicitly prohibited. Diagnostic procedures under medical supervision remain permitted.

Blood Manipulation: The rule regarding manipulation of blood has been clarified. Now, even the withdrawal of blood or blood components (with or without reintroduction) is prohibited, except for legitimate analytical purposes (doping control/medical tests) or for donation at an accredited blood collection center.

Gene and Cell Doping: The prohibition has been expanded to explicitly include the use of cell components (e.g., nuclei, mitochondria, and ribosomes), not just whole cells. 

Prohibited Substances (S1-S6, S9)

Anabolic Agents S1: It has been clarified that all esters of prohibited anabolic steroids are also prohibited.

Salmeterol Dosing S3: The maximum total daily dose for inhaled salmeterol (an asthma medication) remains 200 micrograms over 24 hours. However, athletes may not exceed 100 micrograms in any 8-hour period to avoid potential performance enhancing effects.

Hormone and Metabolic Modulators S4: Several new examples of substances found in supplements have been added to help identification, including: 2-Phenylbenzo[h]chromen-4-one (e.g. ɑ-naphthoflavone or 7,8-benzoflavone) an aromatase inhibitor and BAM15 (e.g. 5-N,6-N-bis(2-fluorophenyl)-[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-b]pyrazine-5,6-diamine) an AMP-activated protein kinase.

Stimulants S6: 2-[Bis(4-fluorophenyl)methylsulfinyl]acetamide (flmodafinil) and 2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl) methylsulfinyl]-N-hydroxyacetamide (fladrafinil) were added. These unapproved drugs are potent analogs of modafinil and adrafinil and have been found in dietary supplements or in products marketed as “research only”.

Glucocorticoids S9: WADA clarified that sustained-release injectable formulations may be detectable in an athlete’s system beyond the standard washout periods, requiring athletes to maintain medical records in case a retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is necessary.

Photo Credit: WADA

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