Tramadol / prescription opioid analgesics
Sleep & Recovery · Opioid analgesic / pain masking
Tier D
What this is
WADA coverage: buprenorphine, dextromoramide, diamorphine/heroin, fentanyl and derivatives, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, nicomorphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, pentazocine, pethidine/meperidine and tramadol. The row is framed as pain/performance masking, not a recommended recovery tool. Additional WADA alias coverage: Fentanyl and its derivatives.
Mechanism
Opioids and tramadol can blunt pain and perceived exertion, which is why they are relevant to sport despite poor fit with longevity or recovery health.
Dose & route
Clinical pain dosing varies; no performance dose
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28782695/
- https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/scientific-research/tramadol-performance-enhancing-drug
- https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/2026-prohibited-list
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.