Checking Medications
Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any banned substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO.
Global DRO provides athletes and support personnel with information about the anti-doping status of specific medications and ingredients based on the current WADA Prohibited List. Visitors can search Global DRO for medications sold in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Global DRO provides the user with a unique reference number for each search.
It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country.
Check out this video from UKAD’s Athlete Commission member and British Paralympic Powerlifter, Ali Jawad, on using Global DRO.
Check Medications Online
More information
Taking Nutritional Supplements
UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from banned substances.
Athletes can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.
Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested.
UKAD have a Supplement Hub available providing advice on managing supplement risks, Food-First Nutrition options and much more.
Check Supplements
