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.
Prohibited at all times
17α-Methylepithiostanol (epistane) is covered by S1.1 of the effective 2026 WADA List and is prohibited in and out of competition. S1.1 applies to exogenous administration; its coverage is not limited to the named examples and includes relevant esters. [3]
S1.1; 2026 List, printed pages 5–6 · 2026 rules apply from 1 January 2026. Any 2027 material below concerns future rules from 1 January 2027; it is not current clearance.
Liver injury and mechanism
A report identified prolonged cholestasis in four people after epistane use and investigated bile-acid pathways in cultured human hepatocytes. Laboratory work suggested androgen-receptor-linked changes in bile-acid synthesis and accumulation. [1]
- The cell mechanism and clinical case observations are distinct evidence levels. Neither yields a population risk estimate or a safe exposure threshold.
List year
The 2026 List is the effective edition on this review date. The checked 2027 S1 text showed no change, but the 2027 edition does not take effect until 1 January 2027. [3] [4] [2]
- Consult the official edition and responsible anti-doping organization for consequential decisions. This reference does not provide medical advice, a TUE decision, product certification or individual clearance.
What remains uncertain
- This is a targeted source check, not a systematic review or independent clinical/regulatory sign-off. Uncited draft claims remain unpublished.
- Chemical registry identifiers, every alias and jurisdiction-specific product availability have not been exhaustively reconciled.
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.
- Epistane, an anabolic steroid used for recreational purposes, causes cholestasis with elevated levels of cholic acid conjugates, by upregulating bile acid synthesis (CYP8B1) and cross-talking with nuclear receptors in human hepatocytes. ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · indexed original abstract read via Europe PMC MED record; full article not reviewed
Abstract; PMID 31894354
- 2027 Prohibited List resource page ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · relevant primary-source text read · FUTURE 2027 SOURCE
Resource description and effective date
- WADA 2026 Prohibited List ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · relevant primary-source text read
Introduction and S1, printed pages 3, 5–6
- WADA 2027 Prohibited List, currently linked English file ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · relevant primary-source text read · FUTURE 2027 SOURCE
Cover and S1, printed pages 1, 5–6
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.