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
2026: prohibited at all times (S2). [1]
2026 List, S2.2.3, printed pages 7–8 · 2026 rules apply from 1 January 2026. Any 2027 material below concerns future rules from 1 January 2027; it is not current clearance.
Identity and medical context
Somatropin is recombinant human growth hormone. The US GENOTROPIN label authorizes defined paediatric growth disorders and adult growth-hormone deficiency, with diagnosis-specific conditions. This prescription context does not establish a benefit for healthy athletes, other products or growth-hormone fragments. [2]
Performance trial and its limits
A randomized, blinded eight-week study enrolled 96 recreationally trained adults. Growth hormone modestly increased laboratory sprint capacity, while endurance, strength and jump outcomes were not significantly improved. Changes in lean mass included extracellular water. Some male trial groups also received testosterone, so combined-treatment findings must not be attributed to growth hormone alone. The athletic significance was uncertain, and the study was too small to establish safety. [3]
- The primary study was verified from an institutional abstract, not a fresh full-text appraisal.
Health risks
GENOTROPIN warnings include glucose intolerance or diabetes, fluid retention, joint symptoms, carpal-tunnel symptoms, intracranial hypertension and serious hypersensitivity. Active malignancy and certain acute critical illnesses are contraindications, among other restrictions. The label also discusses neoplasm concerns in defined patient groups. These are selected warnings, not a complete prescribing guide. [2]
What remains uncertain
- The performance study does not establish long-term athletic benefit or safety.
- No current growth-hormone-booster product assay or general food-exposure claim was verified.
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 · official_full_text_relevant_sections
Effective date; S0 printed page 4; S2 printed pages 7–8
- DailyMed: GENOTROPIN (somatropin) US prescribing information, July 2026 ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · official_full_text_relevant_sections
Description; indications; contraindications; warnings
- Meinhardt et al. 2010: growth hormone and physical performance ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · abstract_only
Garvan institutional abstract; Annals of Internal Medicine 152:568–577; DOI 10.7326/0003-4819-152-9-201005040-00007
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.