WADA banned peptides: 2026 rules and 2027 changes

By Peptide Care Index · Updated October 2026

WADA banned peptides include BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, and MOTS-c, all prohibited in and out of competition. Peptide Care Index’s October 2026 crosswalk checks 31 entries against the current 2026 rules and the published 2027 rules. The tables below show the exact categories, name matches, and exceptions. 1 2

What are the key facts about WADA banned peptides?

  • The 2026 Prohibited List is the edition in force on October 14, 2026. The published 2027 List takes effect on January 1, 2027. Source: WADA’s official Lists. 1 2 3
  • BPC-157 is S0, TB-500 is S2.3, and MOTS-c is S4.4.1. All three are prohibited at all times under both editions. Source: WADA’s 2026 and 2027 Lists. 1 2
  • This 31-entry crosswalk contains 29 prohibited entries within their stated scope and two monitored, non-prohibited ingredients. The prohibited entries include three male-specific rules and one nonpeptide comparator. This is the size of our lookup, not the total number of banned peptides. Source: Peptide Care Index’s row-by-row analysis, October 14, 2026. 1 2 5 6
  • WADA adds “peptides” to S0’s examples in 2027 as a clarification. Its explanation says unnamed peptides can still be prohibited under S0 or other classes. Source: WADA’s 2027 change notes. 4
  • Semaglutide and tirzepatide are monitored, not prohibited, in the two editions checked. Monitoring is a separate program for substances outside the Prohibited List. Sources: WADA’s 2026 and 2027 Monitoring Programs and USADA’s GLP-1 guidance. 5 6 10
  • A missing name is not proof that a peptide is permitted. WADA’s examples are not exhaustive, and USADA says Global DRO does not name every prohibited peptide. Sources: WADA’s FAQ and USADA’s 2027 advisory. 7 8

Which peptides are banned in 2026 and 2027?

The names below are directly named in the WADA sections shown. All prohibited rows apply in and out of competition, within the sex scope stated. The same sections and prohibition scopes remain in the published 2027 List. 1 2

Peptide name lookup

Optional name filter for the three tables. This is a reference lookup, never personal clearance to use a substance.

Filtering runs locally in this page. The query is not sent to a server or analytics service, and is not stored.

Showing all 31 entries.

Table 1. Named peptide, hormone, and related entries: current and upcoming rules
Entry2026 rulePublished 2027 ruleScopeSource pages
BPC-157Prohibited at all times · S0Prohibited at all times · S0All covered athletes2026 p. 4 · 2027 p. 4
TB-500Prohibited at all times · S2.3Prohibited at all times · S2.3All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
Thymosin-beta4Prohibited at all times · S2.3Prohibited at all times · S2.3All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
MOTS-cProhibited at all times · S4.4.1Prohibited at all times · S4.4.1All covered athletes2026 p. 11 · 2027 p. 11
AOD-9604Prohibited at all times · S2.2.3Prohibited at all times · S2.2.3All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
hGH 176-191Prohibited at all times · S2.2.3Prohibited at all times · S2.2.3All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
CJC-1293Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
CJC-1295Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
SermorelinProhibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
TesamorelinProhibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
IpamorelinProhibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
GHRP-1Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
GHRP-2 (pralmorelin)Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
GHRP-3Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
GHRP-4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
GHRP-5Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
GHRP-6Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
Examorelin (hexarelin)Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
AlexamorelinProhibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
Growth hormoneProhibited at all times · S2.2.3Prohibited at all times · S2.2.3All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
Insulin-like growth factor 1Prohibited at all times · S2.3Prohibited at all times · S2.3All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
Mechano growth factorsProhibited at all times · S2.3Prohibited at all times · S2.3All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
FollistatinProhibited at all times · S4.3Prohibited at all times · S4.3All covered athletes2026 p. 11 · 2027 p. 11
InsulinsProhibited at all times · S4.4.2Prohibited at all times · S4.4.2All covered athletes2026 p. 11 · 2027 p. 11
GonadorelinProhibited at all times · S2.2.1Prohibited at all times · S2.2.1Males only2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
KisspeptinProhibited at all times · S2.2.1Prohibited at all times · S2.2.1Males only2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
Chorionic gonadotrophinProhibited at all times · S2.2.1Prohibited at all times · S2.2.1Males only2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8
DesmopressinProhibited at all times · S5Prohibited at all times · S5All covered athletes2026 p. 12 · 2027 p. 12

Sources: WADA 2026 and 2027 Prohibited Lists, printed pages 4, 8, 11, and 12. Each row links to its exact PDF page. Checked October 14, 2026. 1 2

“All athletes” here means all athletes covered by the applicable WADA-based rules. It does not mean that WADA regulates every person who exercises. “All times” includes training periods and the off-season.

The table includes short peptides, protein hormones, and named families. A family row such as “insulins” can cover more than one substance. TB-500 and full-length thymosin-beta4 have separate rows because WADA names TB-500 as a derivative example; we do not treat the two labels as the same molecule.

Table 2. A nonpeptide comparator often discussed alongside peptides
Entry2026 rulePublished 2027 ruleScopeSource pages
Ibutamoren (MK-677)Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4Prohibited at all times · S2.2.4All covered athletes2026 p. 8 · 2027 p. 8

Sources: WADA Lists, S2.2.4, printed page 8; primary research describing ibutamoren as a nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue. Checked October 14, 2026. 1 2 13

MK-677 belongs in this lookup because its name appears beside peptide secretagogues in WADA’s rules. The S2 heading includes related substances and mimetics—substances that imitate an effect. It is not a list of peptide molecules alone.

Table 3. Two monitored ingredients that are not prohibited
Ingredient and brand aliases2026 statusPublished 2027 statusSources
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)Not prohibited; markers monitored in and out of competitionNot prohibited; ingredient monitored in and out of competition2026 p. 1 · 2027 p. 1 · USADA
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)Not prohibited; markers monitored in and out of competitionNot prohibited; ingredient monitored in and out of competition2026 p. 1 · 2027 p. 1 · USADA

Sources: WADA 2026 and 2027 Monitoring Programs; USADA’s GLP-1 guidance. Checked October 14, 2026. Brand names identify the approved active ingredients; they do not verify a product’s contents. 5 6 10

The full CSV download adds search aliases, the basis for each classification, page numbers, conditions, and source URLs. You can use your browser’s Find function to search the visible tables by name.

Does WADA ban all peptides in 2027?

No. WADA adds peptides to S0’s examples to make the existing rule clearer. That does not turn every peptide into a prohibited substance, and the change is not in force before January 1, 2027. 3 4

Table 4. What changes—and what stays the same—in the rules covered here
Issue2026 edition, in force at this checkPublished 2027 edition, effective January 1, 2027
S0 wordingCovers qualifying non-approved pharmacological substances; BPC-157 is namedAdds peptides to the examples; BPC-157 remains named
BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, MOTS-cAll prohibited at all times under their respective categoriesSame categories and prohibition scopes
Gonadorelin, kisspeptin, chorionic gonadotrophinS2.2.1 prohibition applies in malesSame male-specific prohibition
Semaglutide and tirzepatide monitoringProgram heading refers to their markersProgram names them under GLP-1 agonists; monitoring remains separate from prohibition

Sources: WADA Lists and Monitoring Programs for both editions, plus the 2027 explanatory notes. Checked October 14, 2026. 1 2 4 5 6

Our comparison found no change in the prohibited status or section of the 29 prohibited entries in this lookup between the two editions. That finding covers these rows only. The 2027 List has changes elsewhere.

Can a peptide be banned if WADA does not name it?

Yes. WADA prohibits classes as well as named examples. A peptide can fall within a class even when its exact name is missing from the List or Global DRO. 4 7 8

The S0 rule has two parts: the pharmacological substance is not already covered by a later section, and no governmental health authority currently approves it for human therapeutic use. It is not simply a list of drugs without U.S. FDA approval. 8

Other sections cover families, analogues, derivatives, or substances with similar structures or effects. For example, S2.3 covers IGF-1 and its analogues, as well as thymosin-beta4 and its derivatives. A seller’s changed label does not settle whether a product falls within those rules. 1 2

Table 5. How to read a name match
Match typeWhat it tells youWhat still needs checking
WADA directly names the substanceThe printed category and scope can be checkedWhether the actual product contains that substance and whether a TUE applies
WADA names a family or analogue classThe class can cover names beyond the examplesThe exact chemical identity and the authority’s classification
A seller uses an unfamiliar labelThe label alone gives no clearanceIngredients, chemical identity, formulation, and applicable rules
No result appears in this lookup or Global DROThe database has no matching entryAsk the responsible anti-doping organization; do not read silence as permission

Sources: WADA’s non-exhaustive-list explanation and USADA’s 2027 advisory. Checked October 14, 2026. 7 8

Labels such as GHK-Cu, KPV, “CJC-1295 no DAC,” or PEG-MGF do not receive a blanket permitted verdict from this lookup. They need exact-identity and rule checks. This page also does not silently turn GHK into GHK-Cu, AOD-9604 into hGH 176-191, or a thymosin-alpha label into thymosin-beta4.

Does WADA monitoring mean a peptide is banned?

No. WADA’s Monitoring Program tracks substances outside the Prohibited List. The two ingredients shown here, semaglutide and tirzepatide, appear in the 2026 and 2027 monitoring documents and are not prohibited. 5 6 10

A monitored ingredient is not a certificate for a vial or mixture sold online. A label may omit ingredients or describe a different chemical entity. USADA’s GLP-1 guidance specifically warns about unapproved products and different salt forms. 10

For example, the approved ingredient tirzepatide and a product advertised as a “research weight-loss blend” are not interchangeable evidence. The ingredient’s status does not prove what the blend contains.

Are the peptide rules the same for males and females?

Some are sex-specific. S2.2.1 names testosterone-stimulating peptides in males; the three rows here are gonadorelin, kisspeptin, and chorionic gonadotrophin. The male-specific condition remains in the 2027 edition. 1 2

The Monitoring Programs separately name GnRH analogues in females under 18. That monitoring entry does not make them prohibited under S2.2.1. It also does not establish a permitted verdict for every product called “kisspeptin” or every related substance in every setting. 5 6

That is why the lookup keeps sex scope next to the status. A screenshot or copied row that drops “in males” changes the meaning of the rule.

Does a prescription make a banned peptide allowed in sport?

A prescription alone does not grant a Therapeutic Use Exemption, or TUE. A TUE is the anti-doping approval process for a medically necessary prohibited treatment; its requirements depend on the athlete’s rules and level of competition. 12

USADA’s current BPC-157 guidance says a TUE is unlikely to be approved because permitted alternatives exist. It also says applications are considered case by case. That is more precise than saying a TUE is impossible. 9

Drug regulation and sport regulation answer different questions. The BPC-157 FDA status guide explains the U.S. approval question; the FDA peptide compounding reference explains the compounding question. Neither grants sporting permission.

For an athlete-specific decision, use Global DRO and the responsible anti-doping organization’s TUE guidance. If a peptide is missing or a name is unclear, contact that organization rather than guessing from this table. 8 12

Are topical peptides and cosmetic peptides banned?

The word “peptide” on a cosmetic label does not make it prohibited. USADA lists several cosmetic peptide ingredients as not prohibited, while warning that certain prohibited growth factors remain prohibited when applied to the skin. 11

Its examples of non-prohibited cosmetic ingredients include palmitoyl pentapeptide-4/-3 and tripeptide-1, described as GHK, non-palmitoylated. That ingredient guidance should not be stretched into clearance for injectable GHK-Cu or a differently formulated product. 11

Switching a prohibited substance from an injection to a cream or capsule does not itself remove the prohibition. The same distinction matters when checking BPC-157 capsules: format and anti-doping status are separate questions. 9 11

Does “Specified” mean a peptide is allowed or less serious?

No. “Specified” and “non-Specified” are classifications used in the sanctioning process. Both describe prohibited substances; neither is a permission label or a safety rating. 7

In the sections covered by this lookup, S0 and S5 are Specified. S2, S4.3, and S4.4 are non-Specified. The downloadable data keeps this field separate from prohibited status so the two cannot be mistaken for one another. 1 2

How can an athlete check a peptide ingredient?

Start with the exact ingredient and the rules that govern the event. Then check the applicable edition and ask the responsible anti-doping organization when the identity, class, or TUE requirement is unclear. USADA warns that a missing Global DRO result does not clear an experimental peptide. 8 12

  1. Identify the rules. Check the event organizer or federation. A WADA-based reference cannot substitute for a different league’s rules.
  2. Identify the substance. Keep the full ingredient name, brand name, formulation, and any other listed ingredients.
  3. Use the edition in force. On October 14, 2026, that is the 2026 List. The published 2027 rules start on January 1, 2027.
  4. Check the category and conditions. Read the full section, timing, sex scope, and any relevant exception.
  5. Resolve an unclear result. Use Global DRO where covered and the responsible anti-doping organization’s drug-reference service. Ask about TUE requirements for a prohibited treatment.

Download the ingredient-check checklist for a copy of these steps and the official sources.

If you are also comparing U.S. access claims or clinic offers, Find My Peptide Path provides an access guide, fee checklist, and questions to ask. It is free and needs no account or email. Anti-doping clearance comes from the responsible authority.

How did we build the WADA peptide rule crosswalk?

We checked the English 2026 and 2027 Prohibited Lists and both Monitoring Programs on October 14, 2026. We then mapped 31 lookup entries to their printed sections, scope, source pages, and verified search names.

The selection centers on names used in peptide-care discussions, with related hormone families and comparators needed to explain the rules. It is an editorial reference set. It is not a market sample, an athlete survey, or a full chemical inventory.

For each prohibited row, we read the relevant clause in both PDFs. All 29 prohibited rows use directly named examples or named families. We did not label a seller-specific analogue as directly named when the PDF only states a broader class. The two monitored ingredient rows use the separate Monitoring Programs and USADA’s GLP-1 explanation.

To reproduce the crosswalk:

  1. Download the CSV below.
  2. Open each row’s 2026 and 2027 source URL at the printed page shown.
  3. Match the substance or named family to the section. Read that section’s timing, sex scope, and Specified designation.
  4. Keep monitoring separate from prohibition and search aliases separate from verified chemical equivalence.
  5. Count rows by status and compare the two status columns. There are 29 prohibited-within-scope rows and two non-prohibited monitored rows. The prohibited sections and scopes match across editions for all 29 rows.

We did not test products, run drug tests, or assess any athlete’s eligibility. The organizational author page explains the publisher’s role and editorial identity.

What can this reference tell you—and what can it not?

It shows the source-backed classification of the entries we checked and the relevant difference between the two editions. It cannot establish that an unnamed ingredient is permitted or that a specific product matches its label.

The row count is not a count of every prohibited peptide. WADA’s open-ended classes make that claim unsuitable here. The 31 rows also mix named substances and families, and include one expressly labeled nonpeptide comparator.

This is an educational reference for WADA-based rules. It does not verify every league’s policy, an individual TUE, drug approval in every country, product purity, or treatment safety. Permission for one ingredient does not settle rules for other ingredients or for the way a treatment is administered.

How can you cite this page?

Publication: Peptide Care Index
Title: WADA banned peptides: 2026 rules and 2027 changes
URL: https://peptidecareindex.com/research/wada-banned-peptides/
Verified: October 14, 2026
Scope: 31 curated lookup entries; current 2026 rules and published 2027 rules.

Ready-to-copy citation:

Peptide Care Index. “WADA banned peptides: 2026 rules and 2027 changes.” Verified October 14, 2026. https://peptidecareindex.com/research/wada-banned-peptides/.

For the underlying rule, cite the relevant WADA edition and section. For this page’s assembled name mapping or edition comparison, credit Peptide Care Index’s WADA peptide rule crosswalk. The section and fact anchors support citations to a specific answer.

You may reuse Peptide Care Index’s original organization, comparison, and commentary with credit to Peptide Care Index; this does not license WADA or USADA text, marks, or other underlying material, whose attribution and terms remain applicable.

Download: WADA peptide rule crosswalk — CSV. It includes all 31 entries, both editions, source pages, aliases, scope, and check dates.

Download: Peptide ingredient-check checklist — Markdown.

What changed: This October 2026 reference adds a source-by-source comparison of the 2026 rules and published 2027 rules, including the S0 clarification and separate monitoring entries.

What else do readers ask about banned peptides?

Is BPC-157 banned by WADA?

Yes. BPC-157 is named under S0 and prohibited in and out of competition in the 2026 and published 2027 Lists. A capsule, cream, or prescription does not itself grant an anti-doping exemption. 1 2 9 11

Is TB-500 banned by WADA?

Yes. WADA names TB-500 as an example of thymosin-beta4 derivatives in S2.3. That section applies at all times in both editions checked. TB-500 should not be treated as an exact synonym for every full-length thymosin-beta4 product. 1 2

Are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin banned?

Yes. Both are directly named in S2.2.4 and prohibited at all times in the 2026 and published 2027 Lists. A product called “CJC-1295 no DAC” needs an exact-identity check; a marketing suffix does not establish permission. 1 2 8

Is MOTS-c banned by WADA?

Yes. MOTS-c is directly named in S4.4.1 and prohibited at all times. USADA also identifies that category; it should not be placed in S2 just because it is a peptide. 1 2 14

Is MK-677 a banned peptide?

MK-677, also called ibutamoren, is prohibited at all times in S2.2.4. It is a nonpeptide growth hormone secretagogue, so it belongs in a related-substance comparison rather than a count of peptide molecules. 1 2 13

Are semaglutide and tirzepatide banned?

No. The ingredients are not prohibited in the editions checked and appear in WADA’s separate Monitoring Programs. That ingredient status does not authenticate a compounded mixture, salt form, or product sold online. 5 6 10

Is GHK-Cu allowed in sport?

This lookup does not establish permission for GHK-Cu. USADA’s non-prohibited cosmetic example is tripeptide-1, described as GHK, non-palmitoylated; that is not blanket clearance for injectable GHK-Cu. Ask the responsible anti-doping organization about the exact ingredient and formulation. 8 11

Can I use a banned peptide during the off-season?

The prohibited entries in this lookup apply at all times within their stated scope, including out of competition. The off-season is not an exemption from those rules. Questions about a medically necessary prohibited treatment belong in the applicable TUE process. 1 2 12

Which primary sources did we check?

  1. WADA, 2026 Prohibited List. Effective January 1, 2026; printed pages 3–4, 7–8, 10–12. Checked October 14, 2026.
  2. WADA, 2027 Prohibited List. Effective January 1, 2027; printed pages 3–4, 7–8, 10–12. Checked October 14, 2026.
  3. WADA, 2027 Prohibited List resource. Publication and effective-date record. Checked October 14, 2026.
  4. WADA, 2027 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes. S0 peptide clarification. Checked October 14, 2026.
  5. WADA, 2026 Monitoring Program. Semaglutide/tirzepatide markers and the GnRH analogue entry. Checked October 14, 2026.
  6. WADA, 2027 Monitoring Program. GLP-1 agonists and the GnRH analogue entry. Checked October 14, 2026.
  7. WADA, The Prohibited List and FAQ. Non-exhaustive examples and Specified classification. Checked October 14, 2026.
  8. USADA, Athlete Advisory: What’s New on the 2027 WADA Prohibited List?. S0 conditions, absent names, and database limits. Checked October 14, 2026.
  9. USADA, BPC-157: What Athletes Should Know About the Prohibited Experimental Peptide. S0 and case-by-case TUE wording. Checked October 14, 2026.
  10. USADA, What Athletes Need to Know About Weight Loss Drugs and GLP-1s. Non-prohibited ingredient status and product limits. Checked October 14, 2026.
  11. USADA, Peptides and Growth Factors in Cosmetics: Are They Banned?. Topical growth factors and cosmetic ingredient examples. Checked October 14, 2026.
  12. USADA, Therapeutic Use Exemptions. TUE process and athlete-level conditions. Checked October 14, 2026.
  13. Codner et al., Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2001), primary study abstract. Ibutamoren as a nonpeptide GH secretagogue; DOI 10.1067/mcp.2001.116514. Checked October 14, 2026.
  14. USADA, What is the MOTS-c peptide?. S4.4.1 classification. Checked October 14, 2026.

Peptide Care Index Research is the research and reference section of peptidecareindex.com.