List of banned substances according to WADA

Most sports fans are still left in awe after Maria Sharapova’s admission of using a performance enhancing drug.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), blasted the Russian superstar after she tested positive for meldonium, a drug intended to treat lack of blood flow to parts of the body.

The agency recently added meldonium to its list of banned substances because of evidence that athletes are using it with the intention of enhancing performance.

Here is a list of other prohibited substances according to WADA’s anti-doping code:

Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS)

Anabolic steroids remain as the most popularly notorious drug used by cheating athletes.

The versatile drug, which has been a staple in the medical community, is lauded by professionals for its ability to treat various medical conditions such as bone marrow stimulation and treatment for low testosterone levels.

Steroids increase protein within the cells especially in skeletal muscles. WADA, meanwhile, believes certain athletes abuse the drug to acquire a physical edge over their competitors.

Peptide Hormones and Growth Factors

Peptide hormones and growth factors are drugs used to stimulate various bodily functions such as growth, behavior and sensitivity to pain—which could be used by athletes looking for a physical boost.

The drug is usually connected to cancer treatment or aiding babies born prematurely.

Beta-2 Agonists

The primary medical use of these compounds is to treat conditions such as asthma and other respiratory ailments.

Studies, however, showed that consistent high levels present in the blood have performance enhancing effects such as increase in stamina and endurance.

Hormone and Metabolic Modulators

Hormone and metabolic modulators are medically used to accelerate or slow down specific enzyme reactions. These are often used to block the conversion of the male sex hormone testosterone into the female sex hormone estrogen.

Bodybuilders, however, are often caught using this drug to influence the hormones and thus modify the body’s natural metabolism rate.

These modulators have been prohibited as doping agents in and out of competition since 2001 for men and since 2005 for women.

Diuretics and Masking

Diuretics drugs are taken when it is necessary to eliminate water from the body. High dosages of diuretics are often present in athletes in combat sports where weight cutting is involved.

Masking agents, meanwhile, are compounds that are taken with the purpose of hiding or “masking” the presence of specific illegal drugs that are screened for doping testing. These agents have the potential to impair or conceal the banned substance in the urine.