Medications
About medications
As an athlete, you train hard. Sometimes you may get injured or sick, or you may need to take regular medication for an ongoing condition such as asthma or diabetes. Whatever the situation, it's important to be aware of what you're taking - and how. You are responsible for everything you put into your body.
Always check medications on Global DRO. Even common medications can contain ingredients that are prohibited in sport; and certain methods of administering medication (for example, by injection or by topical gel) may be prohibited. This means that you need to be very careful about everything you take and how you take it. If your medication or method is prohibited, you may need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
Keep your medical professionals informed
You’re not expected to remember or know every substance that’s prohibited in sport, but you are expected to check everything before taking it. It’s your responsibility to let medical professionals know that you’re an athlete who could be drug tested and insist that they check the medication is allowed in sport.
Download the Wallet Guide
Need a handy wallet-sized reminder of what's what in anti-doping? Our Wallet Guide is a helpful reminder of rules around common medications and other 2022 clean sport information.
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Wallet Guide 2022
(PDF / 595 KB)
Searching Global DRO
Here are some helpful tips for using the Global DRO search:
- Select the New Zealand flag on the Global DRO home page to check medications that you have purchased in New Zealand.
- If you bought a medication in the US, the UK, Canada, Switzerland or Japan, please select the relevant country flag on the Global DRO home page. Medication ingredients can vary from country to country, even within the same brand.
- Use the correct spelling of the brand, medication name or medication ingredient.
- Note any conditions (such as thresholds) and the method or route of administration - some medications are permitted in some instances and prohibited in others.
- Always double check that the ingredients listed on your Global DRO search results match the ingredients listed on the label of your medication. Notify us immediately if there is a discrepancy.
A few things to note:
- Results are based on the current World Anti-Doping Agency's World Anti-Doping Code and the Prohibited List.
- DFSNZ does not provide medical advice, treatment plans or recommend medications.
- DFSNZ endeavours to ensure that the information provided is up-to-date and accurate, but is not responsible for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies.
- If you can't find your medication using the Global DRO search we can help, please contact us.
Supplements
Global DRO does not contain information on supplements, herbal products, traditional medicine or nutritional products. Before making a decision to use a supplement, and to understand the risks involved, use our Supplement Decision Making Guide.
Ask a question
If you can't find the information you need on Global DRO, please use our Medication query form.
Medications FAQ
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Your doctor recommends a medication, but when you search on GlobalDRO you find out that it's prohibited in sport. What can you do?
- Speak to your doctor. Explain that the substance they've prescribed is prohibited in sport, and ask if there is an alternative medication you can take that isn't prohibited.
- Look into TUEs. A TUE, or Therapeutic Use Exemption, enables an athlete to take a prohibited substance for documented medical needs. High-level athletes must apply for a TUE before taking a prohibited substance. Other athletes may only need a TUE if they are tested and return a positive result.
Emergencies
In an emergency, your health comes first. Always get the medical treatment you need.
- medication that you require is prohibited, you may need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) and obtain approval before use (unless it is a medical emergency). You will only need a TUE in advance if you compete at a high level.
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Unless provided otherwise in the rules of an International Federation or the ruling body of the event in question, an In-Competition period is defined as “The period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate through the end of such Competition and the Sample collection process related to such Competition”
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It is possible to overuse an asthma inhaler.
Check on GlobalDRO to see if your asthma treatment is permitted. Many types of asthma medication such as Ventolin, Serevent, and Symbicort have maximum thresholds – and overuse of some inhalers could return a positive drug test. Follow the directions on the prescription label of your inhaler and talk with your medical professional if you need to use your inhaler frequently.
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All antibiotics available in New Zealand are permitted in sport. Be aware that probenecid is commonly prescribed with antibiotics, and is prohibited in sport. If you are prescribed probenecid, you may need a TUE.
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Your health always comes first. In an emergency situation, make sure you get the treatment that you need.