WADA’s Updated 2022 Prohibited List Comes Into Force on January 1

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2022 prohibited list, which was approved by WADA’s executive committee on Sept. 14th, will take effect starting Jan. 1, 2022. 

Some of the changes include: 

Glucocorticoids

The updated list prohibits “all glucocorticoids…when administered by any injectable, oral [including oromucosal (e.g. buccal, gingival, sublingual)] or rectal route” during the “in-Competition period”. 

The in-Competition period is the period between 11:59 p.m. the day before the competition up until the end of the competition and collection process. 

Glucocorticoids are anti inflammatories that include cortisone, prednisone, triamcinolone, and budesonide. 

Because glucocorticoids are so widely used in sports medicine, WADA provides details for minimum washout periods for glucocorticoids. These washout periods can be anywhere from 3-60 days, depending on the specific glucocorticoid used and whether it was oral, intramuscular, or a local injection. Full details can be found here.

According to the USADA, glucocorticoids are still allowed in and out of competition when administered in the following ways: 

• inhalation (e.g., glucocorticoid inhalers)
• intranasal (e.g., nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis)
• ophthalmic (e.g., eye drops)
• perianal (e.g., topical hemorrhoid creams)
• dermal (e.g., topical creams to treat rashes or allergic reactions)
• dental intracanal application

Salbutamol 

The allowable dosage of salbutamol, which is used to treat asthma and COPD, is lowered to 600 micrograms over 8 hours, down from 800 micrograms over 12 hours. 

Salbutamol includes the brand names Ventolin and Proventil. 

BPC-157

BPC-157, which WADA describes as “an experimental peptide sold as a supplement”, is added to section “S0 non-approved Substances” of the List. 

BPC-157, which is not approved for human use, is an experimental compound being tested to treat inflammatory bowel disease and soft tissue healing, according to the USADA.

BPC-157 is growing in popularity in anti-aging and wellness clinics, as well as the bodybuilding community. These communities claim a wide-range of benefits from BPC-157, including gut health, accelerated healing of muscle tissue and joints, and improved brain health. The USADA notes that there are no clinical trials or studies to back up any claims that BPC-157 is safe or effective for humans. 

For a substance to be added to the List, it must meet at least two of the three following criteria: 

1. It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance.
2. It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athletes.
3. It violates the spirit of sport.

The 2022 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, the 2022 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, and the 2022 Monitoring Program are all available on the WADA website.