Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui

Common medications

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Common medications in sport

Common medications can get you banned

Even common medications can contain substances that are prohibited in sport. This page details some of the most common medications and methods by type, and outlines their status in sport. This should help you to use medications carefully, staying within thresholds and getting a Therapeutic Use Exemption if you need one.

The only way to keep safe is to check all your medications on Global DRO.

Therapeutic Use Exemptions

A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) allows you to take a medication containing a banned substance if you need to for medical reasons.

Find out more at Therapeutic Use Exemptions

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. Your competition or International Federation may have a different definition, so always check their rules carefully.

01

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

02

Asthma - Inhalers

Inhalers

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

Glucocorticoids by inhalation (Beclazone, Flixotide, Pulmicort)

Permitted. No TUE needed for inhaled use.

Bambuterol (Bambec)

Prohibited at all times. TUE required for use.

Budesonide (Symbicort, Pulmicort)

Permitted. No TUE needed for inhaled use.

Ciclesonide (Alvesco)

Permitted. No TUE needed for inhaled use.

Formoterol (Oxis, Foradil, 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. No TUE needed for inhaled use.

Salbutamol (Ventolin, Respigen) 

  • 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 (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 at all times. 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.

03

Asthma - Orals and injections

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.

04

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)

 

05

Contraception

Permitted

All oral contraceptives available in New Zealand are permitted in sport.

06

Hayfever and sinusitis

Permitted

Prohibited in-competition

Antihistamines (e.g. Lora-Tabs, Loraclear, Claratyne, Claramax, Phenergan, Polaramine, Razene, Telfast, Zyrtec)

Pseudoephedrine. Only ever take the recommended dose and stop using this drug at least 24 hours before competition.

 

Glucocorticoids administered by any injectable, oral, or rectal route (e.g. Prednisone, Kenacort, Dexamethasone)

07

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. 

08

Nausea and vomiting

Permitted

Medications such as Buccastem, Nausafix, Nausicalm, Ondansetron, Onrex, Stemetil, Gaviscon and Mylanta

09

Pain, headaches and inflammation

Permitted

Prohibited in-competition

Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAID)

All medications containing morphine (e.g. Sevredol, Oxynorm)

Ibuprofen (e.g. Brufen, Nurofen, Panafen)

Fentanyl (e.g. Durogesic, Rapifen)

Diclofenac (e.g. Diclax, Voltaren, Cataflam)

Pethidine

Aspirin (e.g. Aspec, Aspro, Disprin) 

Glucocorticoids administered by any injectable, oral, or rectal route (e.g. Prednisone, Medrol)

 

Codeine (e.g. Panadeine, Mersyndol)

Tramadol (e.g. Tramal, Hydrochloride). Only ever take the recommended dose and stop using this drug at least 24 hours before competition

Ibuprofen (e.g. Brufen, Nurofen, Panafen)

 

Paracetamol (e.g. Panadol, Pamol)

 

10

Skin conditions

Permitted

Prohibited in-competition

Topical Glucocorticoids (e.g. Beta cream/ointment; DP lotion/cream; DermAid; Hydrocortisone cream; Locoid)

Glucocorticoids administered by any injectable, oral, or rectal route (e.g. Prednisone, Medrol)

More information

Hidden dangers in your medicine cabinet

It's tempting to reach for over-the-counter medications to ease cold or flu symptoms, but be aware that even over-the-counter medicines can contain banned ingredients. Learn more on our blog.

Crucial questions for athletes with asthma

If you’re an athlete with asthma, you need to navigate anti-doping rules for medication that you may use on a daily basis. Find out what it means for you on our blog.

Medications

Athletes should check every medication on Global DRO before they take it. Find out how