WADA's 2027 Prohibited List: what changes for peptides and GLP-1 drugs

Key takeaways

• WADA's 2027 Prohibited List takes effect January 1, 2027, and now names "peptides" in general under S0, the non-approved substances class ¹².
• BPC-157, TB-500, ipamorelin and other popular research peptides stay banned at all times, in and out of competition ¹⁸.
• Semaglutide and tirzepatide remain permitted for 2027 and stay on WADA's Monitoring Program while it collects more data ¹³⁴.
• A US stopgap that lets pharmacies sell some peptides would not change anything for tested athletes ⁵.

The World Anti-Doping Agency published its 2027 Prohibited List in late September, and on October 6 the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) sent athletes its plain-language summary ¹²⁸. Most changes are small. The one that matters for this site's readers is about peptides.

Under the 2027 list, "peptides" in general are named in S0, the catch-all class for substances with no government approval for human use ¹. That closes the "it's not on the list by name" argument for gray-market compounds.

Photo: Steven Lelham on Unsplash

What the S0 change actually says

S0 has always banned substances that aren't approved by any health authority. For 2027, USADA says WADA now names "peptides" in general as prohibited S0 substances ¹. BPC-157 is the best-known peptide caught by S0: it isn't approved anywhere and isn't named in any other class.

Many other popular peptides were already banned by name in S2, the class for peptide hormones, growth factors and related substances [8]:

• Growth hormone releasing factors (S2.2.4): GHRH analogues such as CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin; secretagogues such as ipamorelin and ibutamoren (MK-677); and the GHRPs, including GHRP-2 and GHRP-6.
• Growth hormone fragments (S2.2.3): AOD-9604 and hGH 176-191.
• Growth factors (S2.3): thymosin-β4 and its derivatives, such as TB-500, plus IGF-1 and its analogues and mechano growth factors.

S2 is non-Specified and applies at all times, and WADA's wording ("including, but not limited to") covers substances with a similar structure or effect ⁸. WADA also added a note that its peptide examples are not exhaustive and that "extreme caution is advised" with any peptide not named, because it may still be prohibited and pose health risks ². If a peptide isn't approved anywhere, assume it's banned at all times.

BPC-157 and TB-500: still banned, still little human data

BPC-157 has been on WADA's list since 2022 ⁶. On MyPeps it scores 2 out of 5 for evidence: dozens of rodent studies and only tiny human pilot reports. The FDA's July advisory vote on compounding didn't change its sport status.

TB-500, a fragment of thymosin beta-4, is banned at all times too, but under S2.3 as a thymosin-β4 derivative rather than S0 ⁸. It isn't approved anywhere, and the fragment itself has mostly animal and anecdotal support. Some products sold as TB-500 aren't even the same fragment, which is one more reason anti-doping agencies treat these vials as a risk.

GLP-1 drugs: permitted for 2027, still being watched

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) stay off the banned list for 2027. WADA said their status is unchanged "pending further data on their potential effects on athletes who use them" ².

According to reporting on the announcement, WADA's expert group looked at banning GLP-1 drugs but found the evidence insufficient, and has started a second study to inform a future decision ³. USADA lists both drugs on the 2027 Monitoring Program, in and out of competition ¹. Monitoring means labs test for them to see how widely they're used. It isn't a ban, but it is often where future bans start.

Note the difference with retatrutide. It isn't approved anywhere yet, so the MyPeps entry lists it as prohibited at all times under S0, even though it works on some of the same receptors as tirzepatide.

The other 2027 changes, briefly

USADA called the rest of the changes "relatively minor" ¹. New S4 examples include the PPAR-delta drug seladelpar and two experimental "exercise mimetic" compounds, SLU-PP-332 and SLU-PP-915. Eplerenone and finerenone were added as S5 diuretic examples. The cannabinoid section was clarified, and vaginal use of glucocorticoids is now permitted ¹⁴.

Several substances also left the Monitoring Program, including codeine and hydrocodone, because WADA found no sign of misuse ¹⁴.

Comparison: where these peptides stand

Why the HHS stopgap doesn't help athletes

The Washington Post reported on October 7 that HHS is preparing a stopgap that could let pharmacies sell some unapproved peptides while formal rules are written ⁵. Even if that happens, it's a US pharmacy rule. It doesn't give a peptide government approval, so it doesn't move anything out of WADA's S0 class, and S2 peptides stay banned regardless of approval.

Separately, STAT reported on October 5 that stem cell businesses see the FDA's softer approach to peptides as a model for their own unapproved products ⁷. Regulators haven't confirmed any plans.

The bottom line

For 2027, the anti-doping message is simpler. Unapproved peptides are banned at all times, whether or not they're named, and most growth-hormone-related peptides are banned by name in S2. GLP-1 drugs are still allowed but closely watched. Tested athletes should check every product on Global DRO or with USADA before use, and can read the full list on WADA's own site ⁸.

This is educational information, not medical advice.

Sources

1. Athlete Advisory: What's New on the 2027 WADA Prohibited List? — USADA, October 6, 2026. https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/athlete-advisory-2027-prohibited-list/
2. Publication of the 2027 WADA list of prohibited substances — AFLD, September 29, 2026. https://www.afld.fr/en/publication-de-la-liste-des-interdictions-2027-de-lama/
3. WADA's 2027 anti-doping list published — Athletics Illustrated, September 28, 2026. https://athleticsillustrated.com/world-anti-doping-agency-published-its-2027-list-of-banned-substances-and-methods/
4. WADA publishes 2027 Prohibited List — Sport Resolutions, September 23, 2026. https://www.sportresolutions.com/news/wada-publishes-2027-prohibited-list
5. HHS plans stopgap to allow sales of some unapproved peptides: Washington Post — Becker's Hospital Review, October 8, 2026. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/glp-1s/hhs-plans-stopgap-to-allow-sales-of-some-unapproved-peptides-washington-post/
6. Key Changes to the 2022 Prohibited List — USADA. https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/key-changes-2022-prohibited-list/
7. Stem cell entrepreneurs encouraged by FDA approach to peptides — STAT, October 5, 2026. https://www.statnews.com/2026/10/05/stem-cell-industry-seeks-fda-regulation-like-peptides/
8. Prohibited List (classes S0, S2 and S4) — World Anti-Doping Agency. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list