WADA to Keep Ozempic and Mounjaro Permitted in 2027
The World Anti-Doping Agency will allow GLP-1 receptor agonists in the upcoming 2027 cycle.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Weight Loss
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The World Anti-Doping Agency announced its 2027 prohibited substance list, which will take effect on January 1, 2027. The updated guidelines will permit the continued use of popular weight-loss medications Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Why it matters
Current scientific evidence is insufficient to justify a ban on these drugs, leading WADA to move them into a monitoring program instead. This allows athletes to continue their use while officials conduct further research on potential performance-enhancing effects.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are categorized as permitted under the 2027 prohibited substance list. WADA maintains a monitoring program for substances that have yet to meet the two-of-three criteria required for a formal competition ban.
The players
World Anti-Doping Agency
The international organization is responsible for setting the standards for anti-doping policies in sports across the globe.
The details
The 2027 guidelines explicitly permit the vaginal administration of glucocorticoids and the use of cannabidiol. Meanwhile, psychoactive compounds including cocaine, hashish, and marijuana remain strictly prohibited for athletes during competition.
Timeline
January 1, 2027: The new prohibited substance list takes effect globally.
Health Landscape
The decision to permit GLP-1 agonists follows the established criteria within the World Anti-Doping Code, which requires evidence of performance enhancement or health risks before a substance is prohibited. This marks a departure from stricter bans on other compounds as the agency prioritizes data-driven regulation.
Athletes who utilize GLP-1 receptor agonists for medical reasons can continue their regimens without violating international anti-doping standards in 2027. However, these individuals should remain aware that the substances are now under closer official monitoring as research into their effects continues.
The takeaway
The inclusion of weight-loss drugs in a monitoring program rather than a ban highlights how sports authorities balance medical necessity against the potential for performance enhancement. Athletes should keep track of periodic updates to the prohibited list, as substances move between permitted, monitored, and banned statuses based on emerging scientific evidence.
Further reading
For more information on current regulations, visit the Weight Loss section.
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