Which peptides are banned in sport?

AOD-9604S2.2.3

Named in S2.2.3 as a growth hormone fragment. A UFC fighter who reported using AOD-9604 a doctor had prescribed got a six-month ban in 2021.^2,36,43

ARA 290S2.1.5

Not named, but ARA 290 (cibinetide) acts on the innate repair receptor, the class S2.1.5 bans, and doping-control researchers in Cologne call it prohibited.^{2,48,49,50,51,52}

BPC-157S0

The only peptide S0 names, since 2022. It’s approved nowhere, and USADA says an exemption is unlikely.^2,13,31

Bromantane (Ladasten)S6.AIn competition only

Named as “bromantan” among the stimulants, so it’s banned in competition only.²

CJC-1295 (no DAC)S2.2.4

Sold under the listed name CJC-1295. Without the DAC part it’s still a GHRH analogue, a class S2.2.4 bans, so it’s banned either way.^2,11,53

CJC-1295 (no DAC) / Ipamorelin ProtocolS2.2.4

Ipamorelin is named in S2.2.4 and the CJC-1295 part is a GHRH analogue in the same class, so the combination is banned at all times.^2,35,53

CJC-1295 with DACS2.2.4

Named in S2.2.4 as a GHRH analogue, and it has come up in several USADA bans.^2,37,54

GHRP-6S2.2.4

Named in S2.2.4 as a growth hormone–releasing peptide. A UFC fighter’s positive test for it led to a two-year ban in 2020.^2,37,38,54

GLOWS0; S2.3

Contains BPC-157 (S0) and TB-500 (S2.3), both named, so the blend is banned at all times whatever GHK-Cu’s status.^2,43

HCGS2.2.1Men only

Named in S2.2.1, which applies only to male athletes. It’s an approved prescription drug, so men would need an exemption.^2,16

HexarelinS2.2.4

Named in S2.2.4 under its official name, examorelin, with hexarelin in brackets.²

HGH / somatropinS2.2.3

Named in S2.2.3 and banned at all times. Somatropin is an approved prescription drug, so an exemption is possible, but only for a diagnosed medical need that meets all four conditions.^2,14,55

IGF-1 LR3S2.3

Not named, but the list bans IGF-1 “and its analogues,” and LR3 is a lab-made IGF-1 analogue. The Defense Department’s list files it under WADA’s S2.^2,10,11,46

IpamorelinS2.2.4

Named in S2.2.4 as a growth hormone secretagogue, and it appears in USADA cases from 2017 to 2026.^2,35,56

KisspeptinS2.2.1Men only

Kisspeptin and drugs that mimic it have been named in S2.2.1 since 2024, a section that applies only to male athletes.^2,57

KLOWS0; S2.3

Contains BPC-157 (S0) and TB-500 (S2.3), both named, so the blend is banned at all times whatever the status of its other parts.^2,43

MK-677 / ibutamorenS2.2.4

Named in S2.2.4 as a growth hormone secretagogue, an example on the list since 2024.^2,35,57

MOTS-cS4.4.1

Named in S4.4.1 as an AMPK activator since the 2025 list.^2,12

PEG-MGFS2.3

Mechano growth factors are named in S2.3, and PEG-MGF is a modified MGF. USADA lists MGF as “prohibited at all times.”^2,11,58

SermorelinS2.2.4

Named in S2.2.4 as a GHRH analogue. Its FDA-approved version, Geref, is discontinued, though FDA found that wasn’t for safety or effectiveness reasons.^2,59

TB-500S2.3

Named in S2.3 as a thymosin beta-4 derivative. It isn’t a “specified” substance, so the default ban is four years.^2,34,43

TesamorelinS2.2.4

Named in S2.2.4 even though it’s FDA-approved as Egrifta, so an athlete would need an exemption.^2,15

TesofensineS6.BIn competition only

Named as a stimulant in S6.B, so it’s banned in competition, from 11:59 p.m. the day before an event until the event ends. Because it’s a “specified” substance, a positive test is presumed unintentional if the athlete shows it was used out of competition.^{2,21,60,61,62,63}

Thymosin beta-4S2.3

Named in S2.3. It was at the center of the 2016 case in which 34 Essendon Australian football players were banned for two years.^2,41,42

TRTS1.1

Testosterone is named in S1.1 and banned at all times. Prescribed TRT needs an exemption that meets all four conditions.^2,17,28

Wolverine StackS0; S2.3

Both parts are named: BPC-157 in S0 and TB-500 in S2.3. A triathlete who used the pair got a four-year USADA ban in 2025 that also covered promoting peptides online.^2,34

5-Amino-1MQS0

A research chemical with no approval and no registered human trials, so S0 bans it at all times even though WADA doesn’t name it.^{2,18,25,64,65}

AdalankS0

A chemically modified Selank. Approval covers only the exact registered substance, so Selank’s Russian registration doesn’t extend to it and S0 applies.^{2,18,25,64,65}

AdamaxS0

A research analogue of Semax with no approval anywhere, so S0 applies.^{2,18,25,64,65}

AdipotideS0

An experimental fat-targeting peptide whose only trial was stopped at phase 1, so it’s an unapproved S0 substance.^{2,18,25,64,66}

CagrilintideS0

An experimental amylin drug with no approval anywhere yet, which matches S0’s “drugs under clinical development.” A US decision on CagriSema, which contains it, is expected late in 2026; approval would take it out of S0.^{2,3,18,25,64,67}

CartalaxS0

Registered in Russia only as a dietary supplement, not a medicine, so it has no approval as a drug and meets the S0 definition.^{2,18,25,64,68}

DihexaS0

An unapproved research compound, so S0 bans it at all times. The main argument that it falls under S2.3 as an HGF modulator rests on a paper retracted in 2025.^{2,25,64,65,69}

EloralintideS0

An experimental Lilly obesity drug in phase 3, which is exactly what S0 calls a “drug under clinical development.” No anti-doping body has named it.^{2,18,25,64,70}

EpitalonS0

No regulator anywhere has approved epitalon, so it’s an S0 substance, banned at all times. An FDA compounding review isn’t an approval.^{2,18,68,71,72}

FOXO4-DRIS0

An early-stage lab peptide with no approval or registered human trials, so it’s an S0 substance.^{2,18,25,64,65}

KPVS0

An unapproved fragment of alpha-MSH, so it’s an S0 substance. FDA’s 2026 review of KPV for compounding isn’t a drug approval.^{2,25,64,72,73}

LL-37S0

The body makes LL-37, but no regulator has approved it as a drug, so injecting it falls under S0.^{2,18,25,64,74}

Melanotan IIS0

No regulator has approved Melanotan II, which is still in trials, so it’s an S0 substance, banned at all times.^{2,18,25,64,75}

NA Semax AmidateS0

The N-acetyl, amidated version is a different molecule from Russia’s approved Semax and has no approval of its own, so S0 applies.^{2,18,25,64,65}

P21S0

An early-stage research compound with no approval, so it’s an S0 substance.^{2,18,25,64,65}

PE-22-28 (Mini-Spadin)S0

An early-stage research compound never approved anywhere, so it’s an S0 substance.^{2,18,25,64,65}

PinealonS0

Registered in Russia only as a dietary supplement, not a medicine, so it has no approval as a drug and meets the S0 definition.^{2,18,25,64,65,68}

PNC-27S0

An experimental anticancer peptide with no approval or registered trials, so it’s an S0 substance.^{2,18,25,64,65}

ProstamaxS0

One of the Khavinson short peptides, with no medicine approval anywhere we checked, so it meets the S0 definition.^{2,18,25,64,68}

RetatrutideS0

An unapproved drug still in development, which S0’s wording covers. Australia’s anti-doping agency says only that it isn’t named on the list and isn’t approved anywhere. Lilly plans to file for FDA approval in early 2027, which could change its status.^2,3,25,76,77

SLU-PP-332S0

An early-stage metabolic research compound, banned at all times either way: under S0 as an unapproved substance in 2026, then by name in S4.4.1 from 2027, which isn’t “specified,” so the default ban is longer.^{2,21,22,43,65}

SurvodutideS0

An experimental glucagon and GLP-1 drug in phase 3 with no approval anywhere, so it fits S0’s “drugs under clinical development.” No anti-doping body has named it.^{2,18,25,64,78}

AHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-3)

A cosmetic copper peptide never approved as a drug, which fits S0’s wording. But USADA says most peptides in cosmetics aren’t prohibited, and no anti-doping body has ruled on AHK-Cu or on injecting it.^2,3,44

GHK-Cu

USADA lists GHK as a cosmetic peptide that isn’t prohibited and says the rules for peptides don’t depend on how they’re used. But no regulator has approved GHK-Cu as a drug, which fits S0’s wording, and no anti-doping body has ruled on the copper form or on injecting it. FDA cleared a GHK-Cu wound gel as a device in 1996, which isn’t a drug approval.^2,44,79

SNAP-8

A cosmetic anti-wrinkle peptide never approved as a drug. S0’s wording could reach it, but USADA says most cosmetic peptides aren’t prohibited, and nobody has ruled on SNAP-8.^2,44

CerebrolysinIV limit applies

A registered medicine outside the US that fits no WADA class, so the substance isn’t banned. But its 10–50 mL doses are given as diluted IV drips, and more than 100 mL in 12 hours outside hospital care breaks the IV rule.^{2,18,80,81,82,83}

DSIP

Russia registers DSIP as the medicine Deltaran, so S0 shouldn’t apply, and it fits no other class. WADA and USADA haven’t commented, and FDA’s 2026 review said it found no registration anywhere.^{2,18,83,84,85}

Fat Blaster

Its usual ingredients, such as carnitine, methionine, inositol, choline and B vitamins, aren’t on the list. The risks are undeclared extras and drips: a 1 mL shot is fine, but more than 100 mL by IV in 12 hours breaks the IV rule.^2,3,18,25,86

GlutathioneIV limit applies

An approved medicine in Italy and Russia that fits no WADA class, so the substance is allowed. A wellness drip of more than 100 mL in 12 hours, outside hospital care, breaks the IV rule.^{2,18,19,25,83,87}

L-CarnitineIV limit applies

An FDA-approved medicine that fits no WADA class, so the substance is allowed. A drip of more than 100 mL in 12 hours outside hospital care breaks the IV rule.^2,25,83,86

Lipo-C

Its usual nutrient ingredients aren’t on the list. Formulas vary, so the risks are undeclared extras and drips of more than 100 mL in 12 hours. A small shot isn’t a problem.^2,3,18,25

Mazdutide

Approved in China, and GLP-1-type drugs aren’t prohibited, so it isn’t banned. WADA doesn’t even monitor it.^4,9,20,88,89

Melanotan I

Afamelanotide is an approved medicine, in the EU since 2014 and the US since 2019, and fits no WADA class, so it isn’t banned. Unregulated “Melanotan 1” vials are a quality risk, not an S0 issue.^2,25,90,91

NAD+IV limit applies

NAD+ isn’t on the list and is an approved medicine in China, so S0 shouldn’t apply. But it’s widely sold as a drip at wellness clinics, and more than 100 mL in 12 hours outside hospital care breaks the IV rule.^2,25,87,92

Orforglipron / Foundayo

An FDA-approved GLP-1 pill, and GLP-1 drugs aren’t prohibited in sport, so no exemption is needed.^4,5,25,26

Oxytocin

An approved hormone that isn’t among WADA’s banned peptide hormones, so it isn’t banned.^2,25,83,93

PT-141

Bremelanotide is FDA-approved and fits no WADA class, so it isn’t banned. Its unapproved relative, Melanotan II, falls under S0.^2,25,94

Selank

A registered medicine in Russia that fits no WADA class, and Russia’s anti-doping agency lists it as permitted, so it isn’t banned.^2,18,83,95

SemaglutideMonitored by WADA

Not prohibited in 2026 or 2027, but WADA monitors athletes’ samples for it and is studying whether to ban it.^{4,5,9,25,83,96}

Semax

A registered medicine in Russia, rated permitted by Russia’s anti-doping agency and not one of the listed corticotropins, so it isn’t banned. Modified versions such as NA-Semax-amidate fall under S0.^{2,18,83,97,98}

SS-31

FDA approval in 2025 took elamipretide out of S0, and it fits no WADA class, so it isn’t banned.^2,25,99

Thymosin alpha-1

Approved in Italy and China, and it isn’t the banned thymosin beta-4, so it isn’t prohibited.^{2,18,25,100,101}

TirzepatideMonitored by WADA

FDA-approved as Mounjaro and Zepbound. Not prohibited in 2026 or 2027, but WADA monitors athletes’ samples for it.^4,5,9,102

VIP

Its synthetic form, aviptadil, is approved in Europe in Invicorp, an injection for erectile dysfunction, so S0 shouldn’t apply, and it fits no other class. No anti-doping body has ruled on VIP itself.^2,103