Semaglutide, a diabetes and weight loss drug most often sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, is under review by the World Anti-Doping Organization (WADA).
WADA, which governs the anti-doping policies of international sports organizations, added the popular drug to its monitoring program in 2024. The organization will continue to monitor Ozempic throughout 2025 to determine whether it should be a prohibited substance.
Semaglutide was created ten years ago as a drug for type II diabetes. It works by regulating blood sugar and increasing insulin production in diabetic patients. It also significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack.
Over the past two years, this drug has rapidly gained popularity among non-diabetic patients as a weight loss medication. It has been reported market shortages of Ozempic due to the growth of its popularity.
WADA will judge semaglutide against its three-pronged ban test. Prohibited substances must meet at least two of the following three criteria:
- Has the potential to enhance or enhance athletic performance.
- Represents a real or potential risk to the athlete’s health.
- Violates the spirit of sport.
Dr. Olivier Rabin, WADA’s senior director of medicine and science, said Ozempic could “possibly” provide benefits in swimming due to improved weight-to-power ratio in swimming.
“This goes beyond just a drug for obesity,” Rabin said.
Looking at the precedent, in 2024, WADA added several substances marketed as a weight loss drug on their banned list, including agonists 2,4-dinitrophenol and Rev-Erb-ɑ. No diabetes medication was added.
