Beta blockers

Beta-blockers, which are used for sedation in a manner similar to alcohol, can be misused as performance-enhancing drugs in sports where sympathetic nervous system stimulation (e.g., competition nerves) can lead to a decline in performance. They are prohibited in competition for the following sports: 

WADA - Prohibited List 1/1/2026

PROHIBITED IN SPECIFIC SPORTS

Beta-blockers are prohibited In-Competition only in the following sports, and are also prohibited Out-of-Competition where indicated (*).
• Archery (WA)* • Automobile (FIA) • Billiards (all disciplines) (WCBS) • Darts (WDF) • Golf (IGF) • Mini-Golf (WMF) •  Shooting (ISSF, IPC)* • Underwater sports (CMAS)* in all subdisciplines of freediving, spearfishing, and target shooting
Including, but not limited to: • Acebutolol • Alprenolol • Atenolol • Betaxolol • Bisoprolol • Bunolol • Carteolol •  Carvedilol • Celiprolol • Esmolol • Labetalol • Metipranolol • Metoprolol • Nadolol • Nebivolol • Oxprenolol • Pindolol • Propranolol • Sotalol • Imolol
*Also prohibited out-of-competition  

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History

Information on beta-blockers on this website as of December 31, 2003
(from Donike and Rauth 1996)

The IOC Medical Commission permitted the therapeutic use of beta-blockers in 1984 but subsequently banned them outright starting in 1988.

It should be noted that a wide range of other effective medications is available for the control of high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, and the prevention of angina pectoris and migraine attacks.

Due to the continued use of beta-blockers in some sports where physical exertion is of little or no significance, the IOC Medical Commission reserves the right to review the use of beta-blockers in these sports.

However, this review will not apply to endurance sports, in which the cardiovascular system and energy production are subjected to higher demands over extended periods. In these cases, beta-blockers are known to impair performance, rendering monitoring unnecessary.

Doping controls for beta-blockers will be conducted at the request of an international federation (e.g., in shooting competitions, including archery and modern pentathlon; in bobsleigh and luge; in high diving; in ski jumping; and others) and at the discretion of the IOC Medical Commission."

Prohibited List as of January 1, 2017

* including the
off-season** Ski jumping and freestyle snowboarding