Common medications
Common medications in sport
Even common medications can contain substances that are prohibited in sport. This list details some of the most common medications and methods, and outlines their status in sport.
The only way to keep safe is to check all your medications on Global DRO.
In-competition
If something is banned "in-competition," it's banned from 11.59pm the night before your competition right through to the end of the competition and its doping control processes.
Antibiotics
| Permitted | Prohibited at all times (requires TUE) |
|---|---|
| All antibiotics available in New Zealand are permitted in sport | Probenecid is commonly prescribed with antibiotics. It is prohibited without a TUE |
Asthma
-
Diuretics or masking agents
If using a diuretic or masking agent with the inhaled medications below, the stated threshold is not valid and a TUE is required for both the inhaled medication and the diuretic/masking agent.
Medication/Substance Status in sport Budesonide (Symbicort, Pulmicort)
Permitted in and out of sport. No TUE needed for inhaled use.
Ciclesonide (Alvesco)
Permitted in and out of sport. No TUE needed for inhaled use.
Formoterol (Symbicort)
- Thresholds apply. TUE not required for use within thresholds.
- Maximum threshold of 54 micrograms (12 puffs when using Rapihaler 200/6) over 24 hours.
- Diuretic rule applies.
Fluticasone (Flixotide, Seretide)
Permitted in and out of sport. No TUE needed for inhaled use.
Salbutamol (Ventolin, Asmol)
- Thresholds apply. TUE not required for use within thresholds.
- Maximum threshold of 1600 micrograms (16 puffs) over 24 hours.
- Must not exceed 600mcg (6 puffs) in an 8 hour period.
- Diuretic rule applies.
Salmeretol (Seretide/Serevent)
- Thresholds apply. TUE not required for use within thresholds.
- Maximum threshold of 200 micrograms (approx. 8 puffs when using Seretide MDI inhaler 250/25) over 24 hours.
- Diuretic rule applies.
Terbutaline (Bricanyl)
Prohibited both in and out of competition. TUE required for use.
Vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)
- Thresholds apply. TUE not required for use within thresholds.
- Maximum dose of 25 micrograms over 24 hours (1 puff when using Breo Ellipta 100/25 or 200/25).
- Diuretic rule applies.
-
Medication/Substance Status in sport Formoterol (oral)
- Prohibited both in and out of competition.
- TUE required.
Prednisolone/ Prednisone (oral)
- Permitted out-of-competition; Prohibited in-competition.
- TUE required for in-competition use.
Salbutamol (oral or injected)
- Prohibited both in and out of competition.
- TUE required.
Cold, flu and sore throat
| Permitted | Prohibited in-competition |
|---|---|
| Phenylephrine (e.g. Lemsip and Maxclear products) | Psuedoephedrine: only ever take the recommended dose and stop using this drug at least 24 hours before competition |
| Paracetamol (e.g. Panadol) | Morphine-based products |
Contraception
| Permitted |
|---|
| All oral contraceptives available in New Zealand are permitted in sport. |
Hayfever and sinusitis
| Permitted | Prohibited in-competition |
|---|---|
| Antihistamines (e.g. Loratab, Loraclear, Claratyne, Claramax, Phenergan, Polaramine, Razene, Telfast, Zadine, Zyrtec) | Pseudoephedrine: only ever take the recommended dose and stop using this drug at least 24 hours before competition |
| Nasal sprays (e.g. Flixonase, Alanase, Beconase, Drixine, Otrivin) | Glucocorticoids administered by any injectable, oral, or rectal route (e.g. Prednisone, Kenacort, Dexamethasone) |
IV fluids
All prohibited substances administered by IV require a TUE.
Permitted substances which require IV infusion may not exceed 100ml per 12 hours without a TUE, unless it’s given while at hospital, during surgery, travelling in an ambulance or during clinical diagnostic investigations.
Any infusions given in a non-hospital setting such as an outpatients clinic, medical rooms or on-site ambulance will require a TUE regardless of whether or not it’s permitted in sport.
Nausea and vomiting
| Permitted |
|---|
| Medications such as Antinaus, Buccastem, Maxolon, Nausicalm, Stemetil, Serecid, Gaviscon, Quik-eze, Gastro-lyte and Mylanta. |
Pain, headaches and inflammation
| Permitted | Prohibited in-competition |
|---|---|
| Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAID) | All medications that contain morphine (e.g. Sevredol, Kapanol, m-Eslon) |
| Ibuprofen (e.g. Brufen, Nurofen, Panafen) | Fentanyl (e.g. Durogesic, Rapifen) |
| Diclofenac (e.g. Diclax, Voltaren, Cataflam) | Pethidine |
|
Pain tablets (e.g. Aspirin, Codeine, Tramal, Tramadol*, Paracetamol, Panadeine) *Tramadol will be prohibited in-competition from 1 January 2024. |
Glucocorticoids administered by any injectable, oral, or rectal route (e.g. Prednisone, Medrol) |
Skin conditions
| Permitted | Prohibited in-competition |
|---|---|
| Topical Glucocorticoids (e.g. Beta cream/ointment; DP lotion/cream; DermAid; Egocort; Hydrocortisone cream; Locoid; Skincalm | Glucocorticoids administered by any injectable, oral, or rectal route (e.g. Prednisone, Medrol) |