Checked 2026-11-10. Independent clinical review has not been completed. WADAFUK is independent of WADA and does not provide medical advice or an individual anti-doping determination.
Conditional restriction
WADA 2026: acetazolamide is named in S5 and prohibited at all times. The class exception for qualifying carbonic-anhydrase-inhibitor eye administration does not permit oral acetazolamide. Retained in the future 2027 List. [1] [2]
2026 and 2027 List, S5, printed p.12; introductory definitions p.3 · 2026 rules apply from 1 January 2026. Any 2027 material below concerns future rules from 1 January 2027; it is not current clearance.
Medical and pharmacological context
United States oral-tablet labeling describes a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor used for selected forms of glaucoma, edema and epilepsy, and for prevention or relief of acute mountain-sickness symptoms. Its kidney action increases bicarbonate loss. [3]
- The cited country-specific product information does not establish worldwide authorization or current supply.
Health concerns
Warnings include acid-base and electrolyte disturbances, kidney stones and serious hypersensitivity. Concomitant high-dose aspirin is a specifically identified hazard. [3]
- Selected warnings, not a complete contraindication or interaction list. Patient-label evidence does not establish athlete safety.
Additional anti-doping conditions
When a prohibited diuretic or masking agent is detected with formoterol, salbutamol, cathine, ephedrine, methylephedrine or pseudoephedrine, S5 has an additional TUE requirement even below the usual threshold. The note expressly excludes qualifying carbonic-anhydrase-inhibitor eye administration and local dental felypressin. It is not a dosing or test-clearance rule. [1] [2]
- A prescription or medical indication is not itself a TUE approval.
What remains uncertain
- No claim that an authorized acetazolamide eye product exists. USADA altitude-prevention TUE guidance URL could not be independently retrieved; that procedural claim is omitted.
- Educational synthesis only; not individualized medical advice, a TUE decision or a sanction prediction.
Check the sources.
These are concise editorial paraphrases of selected sources, not a systematic review or a reproduction of source tables. Access depth is shown for each reference; an abstract-only check cannot resolve details found only in a full paper.
- WADA 2026 Prohibited List ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · relevant full-text sections independently opened and inspected
Introduction p.3 · S5 p.12
- WADA 2027 Prohibited List, 4 November revision ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · relevant full-text sections independently opened and inspected · FUTURE 2027 SOURCE
Introduction p.3 · S5 p.12
- Acetazolamide tablets (DailyMed) ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · relevant full-text sections independently opened and inspected
Indications; clinical pharmacology or SmPC sections 4.1 and 5.1 · Warnings, precautions and adverse reactions
Check the current official WADA List and the relevant anti-doping authority for your sport, product, route and circumstances. Do not stop or change necessary treatment based on this page. Ask a qualified clinician about health decisions. Missing evidence does not establish safety.