Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

Ottawa – December 13, 2023 – Tramadol will be prohibited when the 2024 Prohibited List comes into effect on January 1. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has provided a washout period to help athletes and medical support personnel comply with the status change. Tramadol is a commonly used narcotic that has the potential to enhance physical performance.

Washout Period

WADA has established the washout period at 24 hours based on a therapeutic dose of tramadol. The washout period runs from the time of the last administered dose to the time of the start of the in-competition period. An “in-competition period” starts at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a competition in which an athlete is scheduled to participate (unless a different period was approved by WADA for a given sport).

As an example, if you are competing at noon on Saturday, the in-competition period starts at 11:59 pm on Friday. At 11:59 pm on Thursday your washout period begins, and you should avoid taking tramadol after that time.

TUE Requirements

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) is accepting Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) applications from athletes in the Registered Testing Pool and National Athlete Pool who have a prescription for tramadol. Athletes should verify their TUE requirements for all medications in the Medical Exemption Wizard. Note that when using Global DRO tramadol will show as “Not Prohibited” until January 1, 2024, although a warning about the status change is prominently displayed.

If you have questions about your TUE requirements, contact the CCES:

• Email [email protected]
• Call 1-800-672-7775

Tramadol Resources

• Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes (updated with tramadol washout period, page 4)
• Tramadol-related factsheets provided by WADA, which can be accessed on their Anti-Doping Education and Learning platform (ADEL): 
  • Tramadol factsheet for medical professionals (available in multiple languages)
  • Tramadol factsheet for athletes and athlete support personnel (available in multiple languages)

Tramadol Use and Abuse

Tramadol abuse, with its dose-dependent risks of physical dependence, opiate use disorder, and overdoses in the general population, is of concern and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries, including Canada. Research studies funded by WADA have confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance physical performance in sport.

About the CCES

The CCES works collaboratively to ensure Canadians have a positive sport experience. Through its programs, the CCES manages unethical issues in sport, protects the integrity of Canadian sport, and promotes True Sport to activate values-based sport on and off the field of play. The CCES is an independent, national, not-for profit organization that is responsible for the administration of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. The CCES acknowledges funding, in part, from the Government of Canada. For more information, visit cces.ca, follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, or Instagram.