Colin Snow
Certain medications may affect your eligibility to donate blood. For example, some medications can make it unsafe for you to donate blood, and they can also harm the person receiving the blood. It is important to note that you should never stop taking prescribed medications to donate blood. If you are taking sleeping pills, it is essential to check with your doctor or a blood donation service to determine if they will affect your eligibility to donate blood.
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What You'll Learn
Blood donation eligibility criteria
Age, Weight, and Height Requirements:
- In most states, donors must be at least 17 years old, although 16-year-olds may donate with parental or guardian consent, provided it is allowed by state law.
- There is typically no upper age limit as long as the donor is in good health.
- Weight requirements vary; some sources state donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, while others provide different minimum weights for male and female donors.
- Height requirements also vary, with some sources citing minimum height requirements for male and female donors.
Health and Medical History:
- Donors must be in good health and feeling well on the day of donation.
- Certain chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, are acceptable as long as the condition is under control and the donor meets other eligibility criteria.
- Donors must typically wait at least three months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person.
- Eligibility criteria related to cancer vary. For instance, individuals with a history of leukemia or lymphoma are often ineligible to donate, while other types of cancer may be acceptable if treatment was completed successfully more than 12 months ago without recurrence.
- Donors with a history of heart-related issues, such as angina, heart attack, bypass surgery, or angioplasty, may need to wait at least six months before donating.
- Individuals with a pacemaker can donate as long as their pulse meets the specified criteria and they meet other heart health criteria.
- Donors must typically have a hemoglobin level within a specified range, which varies depending on the donor's gender.
- Certain medications may disqualify individuals from donating blood or specific blood components, such as platelets. These include blood thinners, antiplatelet medications, isotretinoin, finasteride, acitretin, and etretinate.
- Antibiotic use is acceptable in some cases, such as when taken orally for bacterial or viral infections, but the reason for their use may need to be evaluated.
- Individuals with a history of bleeding problems or those taking "blood thinners" may be ineligible due to the risk of excessive bleeding at the needle site.
- Those with a fever, productive cough, or difficulty breathing are typically asked to wait and reschedule their donation.
- Recent tattoos or piercings may disqualify donors in certain states, typically if they were done within the last three months.
- Travel history may be considered, especially if the donor has recently travelled outside the country.
- Recent sexual activity may impact eligibility, as those with new sexual partners or multiple partners within a specified period may need to wait.
- Injection drug use typically disqualifies individuals from donating blood for at least three months.
It is important to note that these are general guidelines, and specific eligibility criteria may vary depending on the region and the blood donation center. Individuals with questions about their eligibility are encouraged to contact their local donation center or refer to the eligibility criteria provided by organizations such as the Red Cross Blood Services or the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
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Medications that may delay donation
Antibiotics
If you are taking antibiotics for an active infection, you will need to wait 24 hours after your last dose before donating blood. This is because an active infection can disqualify you from donating. Antibiotics taken to prevent an infection do not disqualify you from donating.
Antiplatelet medications
Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin and Plavix (clopidogrex), can be taken if you are donating whole blood. However, you must wait between 2 and 14 days after taking these medications before donating platelets. This is because antiplatelet medications stop platelets in the blood from clumping together and forming a clot.
Blood thinners (anticoagulants)
Blood thinners are used to treat or prevent blood clots in the legs, lungs, or other parts of the body, and to prevent strokes. They affect the blood's ability to clot, which might cause excessive bruising or bleeding when you donate. Therefore, you will need to wait before donating blood or any blood products. The length of time depends on the specific blood thinner you are taking.
Acitretin
If you are taking acitretin, you will need to wait at least 3 years after stopping the medication before donating blood or blood products.
Etretinate
If you have taken etretinate at any time, you are not eligible to donate any blood or blood products in the future.
Arava (leflunomide) and Aubagio (teriflunomide)
These medications are used to prevent rheumatoid arthritis and damage to the nervous system. They can cause birth defects and last a long time in the body. If you are taking either of these medications, you will need to wait at least 2 years after stopping before donating any blood or blood products.
PrEP or PEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis or post-exposure prophylaxis)
PrEP and PEP are used to prevent HIV in people who are HIV-negative and at high risk of infection. The FDA has determined that these medications may delay the detection of HIV by currently licensed screening tests for blood donations, potentially resulting in false-negative results. Therefore, if you are taking PrEP or PEP, you will need to wait before donating blood or blood products. The length of time depends on the specific medication and route of administration (oral or injection).
Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG)
HBIG is an injected material used to prevent hepatitis B infection following a possible or known exposure to the virus. It does not prevent hepatitis B infection in every case, so people who have received HBIG must wait to donate blood.
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is a prescription drug for severe acne that can cause birth defects. Therefore, people taking this medication are not eligible to donate blood. You will need to wait until at least one month after your last dose before you can donate.
Other medications
Other medications that may delay donation include finasteride, lenalidomide, dutasteride, thalidomide (Thalomid), vismodegib (Erivedge), sonidegib (Odomzo), upadacitinib (Rinvoq), mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept), piroxicam (Feldene), and Xarelto (rivaroxaban).
It is important to note that you should never stop taking prescribed medications in order to donate blood. If you are taking any medication, consult your physician or a blood donation center to determine your eligibility.
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Medications that disqualify donors
While taking medication does not usually disqualify someone from donating blood, certain medications may delay the process or disqualify donors from donating blood or specific components of blood, such as plasma or platelets. This is because some medications may make it unsafe for the donor to donate blood or harm the person receiving the blood.
Medications with a waiting period before blood donation include:
- Accutane, Amnesteem, Absorica, Claravis, Myorisan, Sotret, or Zenatane (isotretinoin)—wait one month from the last dose.
- Proscar or Propecia (finasteride)—wait one month from the last dose.
- Avodart or Jalyn (dutasteride)—wait six months from the last dose.
- Aspirin—no waiting period for donating whole blood, but wait two full days after taking aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis.
- Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG)—persons who have received this injection must wait to donate blood.
- Acitretin—wait at least three years after stopping the medication.
- Etretinate—disqualified from donating any blood or blood products in the future.
- Arava or Aubagio—wait at least two years after stopping these medications.
- Apretude—wait two years after the last injection to donate blood or blood products.
- PrEP or PEP medications—wait at least three months after stopping these medications.
- Anticoagulants or "blood thinners," such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), Xarelto (rivaroxaban), and piroxicam (Feldene).
- Antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin.
- Thalomid (thalidomide), Erivedge (vismodegib), Odomzo (sonidegib), and Rinvoq (upadacitinib)—may cause birth defects or the death of an unborn baby if transfused to a pregnant woman.
- Cellcept (mycophenolate mofetil)—an immunosuppressant that may cause birth defects or the death of an unborn baby if transfused to a pregnant woman.
- Live vaccines—can delay donation appointments.
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Safe for the donor and recipient
It is important to ensure that donating blood is safe for both the donor and the recipient. Certain medications can affect whether someone is eligible to donate blood, and it is crucial to never stop taking prescribed medications to donate blood.
Most commonly used medications like over-the-counter supplements, medications used to control high blood pressure, birth control pills, and asthma medications do not affect eligibility to donate blood. However, certain drugs do affect one's ability to give blood, and some medications disqualify a person as a donor completely. For example, individuals taking isotretinoin, finasteride, warfarin, or other blood thinners are disqualified from donating blood. This is because these medications may harm the person receiving the blood, such as causing birth defects if the receiver is pregnant.
Additionally, those with acute infections cannot donate blood. Antibiotics are acceptable after finishing the full course of treatment, and one can donate 24 hours after their last dose. However, an active infection can disqualify a person from donating. Similarly, those who have received the Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) injection must wait to donate blood, as it may not prevent hepatitis B infection in all cases.
It is important to note that eligibility criteria may vary depending on the blood donation center, and it is always best to consult a physician or the specific guidelines of the donation center to determine eligibility.
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Consulting a physician
It is important to consult a physician before donating blood, especially if you are taking any medication, including sleeping pills. While over-the-counter supplements, medications for high blood pressure, birth control pills, and asthma medications do not typically affect eligibility, other prescription drugs can delay or disqualify you from donating blood.
Physicians can help determine eligibility and ensure the safety of both the donor and the recipient. They will evaluate an individual's overall health, including any acute infections, and consider the specific medications they are taking. For example, antibiotics for an infection are acceptable after finishing the course, and one can even donate on the same day as taking the last pill. However, certain medications, such as blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs, may require a waiting period before donating blood or platelets.
Additionally, individuals with chronic illnesses can consult a physician to determine their eligibility. As long as the condition is under control, and the individual feels well and meets other eligibility requirements, they may still be able to donate. It is crucial not to discontinue any prescribed medications without first seeking medical advice, as this could impact eligibility and potentially harm the recipient.
A physician can provide guidance on waiting periods and assess any potential risks associated with the specific sleeping pills an individual is taking. They will also take into account other factors, such as an individual's medical history, to ensure a safe donation process. Consulting a physician is a necessary step to ensure the well-being of both the donor and the recipient of the blood.
It is worth noting that eligibility criteria may vary based on the regulations of the blood donation center and the region, so it is always advisable to seek professional medical advice before donating blood.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of sleeping pill. Some medications can affect your eligibility as a blood donor, so it's important to consult a physician before donating blood.
Common medications that can disqualify you from donating blood include isotretinoin (Accutane, Absorica, Claravis), finasteride (Proscar, Propecia), and blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).
Yes, besides medication, certain medical conditions and chronic illnesses can affect your eligibility to donate blood. It's important to feel well and meet all other eligibility requirements at the time of donation.
