FAQ · Research peptides
Are research peptides on the WADA prohibited list?
Yes. Most research peptides commonly sold in the UK appear on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list under section S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors and related substances). BPC-157, TB-500, Ipamorelin, GHRP-2/6, CJC-1295, Tesamorelin, Sermorelin, and IGF-1 are all prohibited at all times (in and out of competition). MOTS-c is prohibited under section S4.4 (metabolic modulators). SARMs (commonly sold alongside research peptides) are prohibited under section S1.2. Tested athletes under UKAD, World Athletics, or international federation jurisdiction must avoid these substances regardless of "research use only" framing.
Section S2 prohibited peptides
- · BPC-157
- · TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment)
- · Ipamorelin and other GHRPs (GHRP-2, GHRP-6, hexarelin)
- · CJC-1295 (with and without DAC)
- · Tesamorelin
- · Sermorelin
- · IGF-1 and IGF-1 LR3
- · Most other research peptides marketed as growth-hormone-pathway active or tissue-repair active
Section S4.4: metabolic modulators
MOTS-c is prohibited under section S4.4 (metabolic modulators), not section S2. It is prohibited at all times for tested athletes.
Section S1.2: SARMs
Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (Ostarine, LGD-4033, RAD-140, Andarine) are not peptides but are commonly sold alongside them by UK retailers like Direct Sarms. They sit under section S1.2 (other anabolic agents) on the WADA list. Equally prohibited at all times.
"In and out of competition"
These substances are prohibited at all times, not just on competition days. There is no detection-free or wash-out interval for these substances; metabolite detection windows extend well beyond any use period and any positive test is a violation.
Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)
Some prohibited substances can be used with a TUE when there is a documented medical need and a licensed prescription. The S2 peptides above almost never qualify because they have no UK MHRA marketing authorisation as medicines; there is therefore no licensed therapeutic use for which an exemption could apply. Tesamorelin is the partial exception (FDA-approved in the US for HIV-associated lipodystrophy under EGRIFTA brand) but UK TUE administration is complex without a UK licence.
What athletes should do
- · Check the current WADA prohibited list at wada-ama.org.
- · Check supplement and chemical ingredients against the list before any purchase.
- · Use UKAD Global DRO at globaldro.com for product-specific status checks.
- · Choose peptide-only retailers if research peptide use is contemplated; avoid retailers also selling SARMs because of evidentiary overlap in any investigation.
Related: WADA list deep-dive · UK retailers.