Peptides Banned by WADA: What the Prohibited List Says

Many peptides sold for recovery or performance are on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List. This guide shows which ones, under which section, what changes in 2027, and which peptides the list does not name.

The short answer

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibits BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, tesamorelin, AOD-9604 and MOTS-c at all times, in and out of competition, on its 2026 Prohibited List; its 2027 list, in force from Jan. 1, 2027, keeps them.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are not prohibited; WADA lists them in its monitoring program.

WADA warns that a peptide not named on the list may still be prohibited.

Being allowed in a compounding pharmacy or approved by FDA does not make a substance permitted in sport.

Athletes should check with WADA or their national anti-doping agency before using any peptide.

How this guide is built

This is an explainer, not a ranking. We read the Prohibited List itself, in the 2026 and 2027 editions, and attribute each statement to it. We cover WADA’s list only. We do not cover USADA or the rules of U.S. professional leagues, which have their own lists. We give no doses, no sellers and no advice on testing. Sport is a separate system from FDA and HHS rules; for those, see are peptides legal in the US.

Which Prohibited List applies?

• 2026 list. In force from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026 (WADA).
• 2027 list. Approved by WADA’s Executive Committee on Sept. 10, 2026, published on Sept. 21, 2026, and in force from Jan. 1, 2027 (WADA; list).

The entries in the table below are the same in both editions. One wording change matters for peptides: the 2027 definition of non-approved substances (section S0) adds the word “peptides” to its examples (2027 list). We checked both editions on Nov. 8, 2026.

How does the list classify peptides?

Peptides appear in three sections of the list. Each is prohibited at all times, in and out of competition.

Which peptides and related substances does the list name?

Source: the 2026 and 2027 Prohibited Lists. For these peptides in more detail, see our guides to BPC-157, TB-500, MOTS-c, peptides for muscle growth and peptides for injury recovery.

Are semaglutide and tirzepatide banned?

No. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are not prohibited; WADA lists them in its monitoring program. The 2027 Monitoring Program names “GLP-1 Agonists: Semaglutide and tirzepatide.” The monitoring program is separate from the Prohibited List. We read the 2027 program and did not check the 2026 one.

What about peptides the list does not name?

WADA warns that a peptide not named on the list may still be prohibited. In its notes for the 2027 list, WADA writes that “even if a peptide is not specifically named on the List, utmost caution should be taken as it may still be prohibited and may be harmful to health” (WADA).

Several peptides we cover are not named on either list: epitalon, KPV, LL-37, GHK-Cu, retatrutide, survodutide, mazdutide, semax, selank, thymosin alpha-1 and bremelanotide. We make no claim about whether any of them is permitted or prohibited. Whether a substance not named on the list falls under a section, such as S0, depends on its own facts, and we do not determine that. WADA or a national anti-doping agency can answer.

Does an FDA or HHS decision change the answer?

No. Being allowed in a compounding pharmacy or approved by FDA does not make a substance permitted in sport. Whether a substance is prohibited in sport is set by the Prohibited List, not by FDA or HHS.

For example, HHS’s October 2026 interim policy says it does not intend to take enforcement action against certain compounding of BPC-157, TB-500 and MOTS-c, under conditions (Federal Register). That is enforcement discretion, not FDA approval, and it does not change the WADA list: all three remain prohibited at all times. Likewise, semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA-approved for specific uses and are not prohibited, while other FDA-approved drugs, such as tesamorelin, are.

Which claims are not supported?

• “HHS allowed it, so it’s allowed in sport.” HHS’s policy is enforcement discretion, not approval, and sport is a separate system. BPC-157, TB-500 and MOTS-c are prohibited at all times on the WADA list.
• “It isn’t on the list, so it’s permitted.” WADA warns that a peptide not named on the list may still be prohibited.
• “GLP-1 drugs are banned.” Semaglutide and tirzepatide are not prohibited; they are in the monitoring program.
• “FDA-approved means permitted.” Tesamorelin is FDA-approved and is prohibited at all times.

What should an athlete ask?

• Is this substance named on the current WADA Prohibited List, and under which section?
• If it is not named, what does WADA or my national anti-doping agency say about it?
• If I have a medical condition that needs a listed substance, such as insulin, what does my anti-doping organization require?
• Does the product contain only what its label says? We do not assess product contents.

We do not give doses, and we do not recommend sellers.

Frequently asked questions

Which peptides does WADA ban?

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibits BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, tesamorelin, AOD-9604 and MOTS-c at all times, in and out of competition, on its 2026 Prohibited List; its 2027 list, in force from Jan. 1, 2027, keeps them.

Is BPC-157 banned in sports?

Yes. BPC-157 is prohibited at all times, under section S0 of the 2026 and 2027 lists.

Are semaglutide and tirzepatide banned?

No. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are not prohibited; WADA lists them in its monitoring program.

Is a peptide allowed if it isn’t on the list?

Not necessarily. WADA warns that a peptide not named on the list may still be prohibited.

Does the HHS compounding policy make BPC-157 allowed in sport?

No. Being allowed in a compounding pharmacy or approved by FDA does not make a substance permitted in sport. Athletes should check with WADA or their national anti-doping agency before using any peptide.

Written and maintained by the Best Peptides For Editorial Team. How we rate evidence.