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
WADA 2026: prohibited at all times under S5; specified substance. The future 2027 List retains this classification. [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
US oral labeling covers selected heart failure, add-on treatment of hypertension, edema in cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome, and primary hyperaldosteronism. Spironolactone antagonizes aldosterone and conserves potassium. [3]
- The cited country-specific product information does not establish worldwide authorization or current supply.
Health concerns
Warnings include high potassium, low blood pressure, worsening kidney function and gynecomastia. Pregnancy concerns in the label include antiandrogenic effects supported by animal evidence; this is not a quantified human fetal-risk estimate. [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.
Acne exposure
USADA also discusses prescribing spironolactone for acne. The reason for prescribing does not remove its S5 classification. [4]
- This additional use is not an indication added to the reviewed US product label.
What remains uncertain
- 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
- Spironolactone 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
- USADA: Spironolactone is Prohibited in Sport ↗Accessed 2026-11-10 · relevant full-text sections independently opened and inspected
How is spironolactone used medically?
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.