Medications

About medications

As an athlete, you train hard. Sometimes you may get injured or sick, or you may need to take regular medication for an ongoing condition such as asthma or diabetes. Whatever the situation, it's important to be aware of what you're taking - and how.

Always check medications on Global DRO. Even common medications can contain ingredients that are prohibited in sport; and certain methods of administering medication (for example, by injection or by topical gel) may be prohibited. This means that you need to be very careful about everything you take and how you take it. If your medication or method is prohibited, you may need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

Keep your medical professionals informed
You’re not expected to remember or know every substance that’s prohibited in sport, but you are expected to check everything before taking it. It’s your responsibility to let medical professionals know that you’re an athlete who could be drug tested and insist that they check the medication is allowed in sport.

Check a medication on Global DRO

Searching Global DRO

global dro

Here are some helpful tips for using the Global DRO search:

  • Select the New Zealand flag on the Global DRO home page to check medications that you have purchased in New Zealand.
  • If you bought a medication in the US, the UK, Canada, Switzerland or Japan, please select the relevant country flag on the Global DRO home page. Medication ingredients can vary from country to country, even within the same brand.
  • Use the correct spelling of the brand, medication name or medication ingredient.
  • Note any conditions (such as thresholds) and the method or route of administration - some medications are permitted in some instances and prohibited in others.
  • Always double check that the ingredients listed on your Global DRO search results match the ingredients listed on the label of your medication. Notify us immediately if there is a discrepancy.

A few things to note:

  • Results are based on the current World Anti-Doping Agency's World Anti-Doping Code and the Prohibited List.
  • DFSNZ does not provide medical advice, treatment plans or recommend medications.
  • DFSNZ endeavours to ensure that the information provided is up-to-date and accurate, but is not responsible for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies.
  • If you can't find your medication using the Global DRO search we can help, please contact us.

Supplements
Global DRO does not contain information on supplements, herbal products, traditional medicine or nutritional products. Before making a decision to use a supplement, and to understand the risks involved, use our Supplement Decision Making Guide.

Ask a question
If you can't find the information you need on Global DRO, please use our Medication query form.

Check a medication or method on Global DRO

Download the wallet guide

  • Wallet guide 2021

    The wallet guide is a helpful, wallet-sized guide to essential 2021 clean sport information. (PDF / 134 KB)

Medications FAQ

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