Regulation desk · Sport
Peptides and anti-doping: which are banned under WADA’s 2026 list
Which peptides WADA's 2026 Prohibited List covers: BPC-157 (S0), growth hormone secretagogues and GHRPs (S2), TB-500 and thymosin beta-4 derivatives.
The short answer ·
WADA's 2026 Prohibited List, in force from January 1, 2026, bans BPC-157 at all times under S0 (non-approved substances). Under S2 it bans growth hormone and its fragments, GHRH analogs such as CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin, GH secretagogues such as ibutamoren, and GHRPs such as ipamorelin, GHRP-2, GHRP-6 and hexarelin.
It also bans thymosin beta-4 and derivatives such as TB-500. Athletes are strictly liable for what is in their sample, including contaminants.
Anti-doping rules are a separate system from FDA law. A peptide can be lawful to prescribe and still banned in sport. Tesamorelin is an example: FDA-approved, and prohibited under S2.
Which WADA classes cover peptides?
| WADA class | What it covers (peptide-relevant) | When |
|---|---|---|
| S0 Non-approved substances | Any pharmacological substance not approved for human therapeutic use by any government health authority. BPC-157 is named as an example | At all times |
| S2.2 Growth hormone, fragments and releasing factors | GH and fragments; GHRH and analogs (e.g. CJC-1295, sermorelin, tesamorelin); GH secretagogues (e.g. ibutamoren); GHRPs (e.g. GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin, ipamorelin) | At all times |
| S2.3 Other growth factors and modulators | Including thymosin beta-4 and derivatives such as TB-500 | At all times |
| S2 (other) | Erythropoietin receptor agonists, chorionic gonadotropin and LH in males, corticotropins | At all times |
Check the current year’s list directly before relying on any summary, including this one. WADA updates it every year, with each new list taking effect on January 1.
What does strict liability mean for athletes?
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance found in their sample, however it got there. Contamination and mislabeling are real risks with unregulated products. In the Paradigm Peptides case, prosecutors said products sold as SARMs contained testosterone (report). A certificate of analysis that tests only for the labeled peptide cannot rule out other substances (what COAs test).
In the news
All newsFrequently asked questions
Is BPC-157 banned in sports?
Yes. WADA lists BPC-157 by name under S0, non-approved substances, prohibited at all times.
Is TB-500 banned by WADA?
Yes. Thymosin beta-4 and its derivatives, including TB-500, are prohibited at all times under S2.
Does a 'research use only' label matter for doping?
No. Anti-doping rules are based on what is detected in the athlete's sample, regardless of how the product was labeled or bought.
Sources
3 linked records- [1] WADA 2026 Prohibited List (PDF) World Anti-Doping Agency Primary record
- [2] The Prohibited List WADA Primary record
- [3] USADA 2026 prohibited list materials USADA
This explainer is general information about law and laboratory methods, not legal or medical advice. Amino Wire does not provide dosing information. Spotted an error? See our corrections policy.