Stimulants
Definition
Stimulants include substances such as amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy (MDMA), which are subject to the Narcotics Act. Ephedrine, a substance found in many cough medicines, is also listed here. Caffeine, which is often referred to in everyday language as a doping substance, has not been banned since January 1, 2004 (new WADA regulations).
Originally, stimulants are compounds that are structurally derived from the catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline (biosynthesis of catecholamines). Amphetamine is considered the best-known stimulant; historically, it was one of the first stimulants to be used therapeutically, essentially mediating the effects of the body’s own catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine (see also chemical structure). However, the group of stimulants also includes substances whose stimulating effects are not mediated by the body’s own catecholamines, epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Effects
Classification
Until 2004, the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations), for example, classified stimulants into amphetamine-type compounds and other stimulant compounds, distinguishing between highly potent amphetamine-type stimulants and less potent stimulants such as ephedrine.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) also distinguishes between A) unspecified and B) specified substances.
Substances (stimulants) in Group B may be used unintentionally due to their easy availability and widespread use in medical products. In this case, a doping violation may result in a reduced sanction (e.g., only disqualification from the competition and a suspension of less than 2 years). For the use of all other stimulants, the so-called "unspecified" stimulants, WADA mandates a two-year suspension.
List of prohibited stimulants by WADA as of January 1, 2019
See also WADA’s current Prohibited List
Structural formulas of the stimulants
A. Non-Specified Stimulants
Adrafinil; Amfepramone; Amphetamines; Amfetaminil; Amiphenazol; Benfluorex; Benzylpiperazine; Bromantan; Clobenzorex; Cocaine; Cropropamide; Crotetamide; Fencamin; Fenetyllin; Fenfluramine; Fenproporex; Fonturacetam [4-phenylpiracetam (carphedon)]; Furfenorex; Lisdexamfetamine; Mefenorex; Mephentermine; Mesocarb; Metamfetamine (d-); p-Methylamfetamine; Modafinil; Norfenfluramine; Phendimetrazine; Phentermine; Prenylamine; Prolintane
A stimulant not expressly listed in this section is a Specified Substance.
B. Specified Stimulants. Including, but not limited to:
3-Methylhexan-2-amine (1,2-dimethylpentylamine); 4-Methylhexan-2-amine (methylhexaneamine); 4-Methylpentan-2-amine (1,3-dimethylbutylamine); 5-Methylhexan-2-amine (1,4-dimethylpentylamine); Benzfetamine; Cathine**; Cathinones and their analogues, e.g., mephedrone, methedrone, and α-pyrrolidinovalerophenone; Dimethylamphetamine; Ephedrine***; Epinephrine**** (adrenaline); Etamivan; Ethylamphetamine; Etilefrine; Famprofazone; Fenbutrazate; Fencamfamine; Heptaminol; Hydroxyamphetamines (parahydroxyamphetamine); Isometheptene; Levmetamfetamine; Meclofenoxate; Methylenedioxymethamphetamine; Methylephedrine***; Methylphenidate; Nikethamide; Norfenefrine; Octopamine; Oxilofrine (methylsynephrine); Pemoline; Pentetrazol; Phenethylamine and its derivatives; Phenmetrazine; Phenpromethamine; Propylhexedrine; Pseudoephedrine*****; Selegiline; Sibutramine; Strychnine; Tenamfetamine (methylenedioxyamphetamine); Tuaminoheptane; and other substances with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s).
Except: • Clonidine; • Imidazole derivatives for topical/ophthalmic use and those stimulants included in the 2019 Monitoring Program*
.* Bupropion, caffeine, nicotine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, pipradrol, and synephrine: These substances are included in the 2019 Monitoring Program and are not considered Prohibited Substances.
** Cathine: Prohibited when its concentration in urine exceeds 5 micrograms per milliliter.
*** Ephedrine and methylephedrine: Prohibited when the concentration of either in urine exceeds 10 micrograms per milliliter.
**** Epinephrine (adrenaline): Not prohibited when administered locally, e.g., nasally, ophthalmologically, or in combination with local anesthetic agents.
***** Pseudoephedrine: Prohibited when its concentration in urine exceeds 150 micrograms per milliliter.
Prohibited even outside of competition?
Current status: No
Until 2004, the International Cycling Union (UCI) had also banned highly potent stimulants (see above: Unspecified Substances) during the out-of-competition period. After the UCI recognized the 2004 WADA Code and WADA provided for a ban on stimulants only during competition, the UCI lifted the ban.
For 2006, however, WADA planned to ban highly potent stimulants (Group A) during the out-of-competition period; this was not implemented, however, as there was insufficient data regarding potential misuse of these stimulants outside of competition.
Therefore, starting in 2006, an analytical monitoring program was introduced to test for stimulants outside of competition. Based on data through 2012, no trend of misuse of highly potent stimulants outside of competition was observed, which is why a ban limited to competition is justified.