what medications can you not take to donate plasma

by Ayla Mayert 5 min read

People who have taken Accutane, oral Retin-A, or finasteride in the past month can’t donate. Anyone who has ever taken etretinate is not allowed to donate plasma. People who are currently taking medication for treating TB or malaria also can’t donate.

Taking certain medications may exclude you from donating blood, platelets or plasma.
...
Drugs that can harm an unborn baby.
Drug name(s)Do not donate if the drug was taken in the last…
Avodart (dutasteride)6 months
Jalyn (dutasteride and tamsulosin)6 months
Erivedge (vismodegib)2 years
Aubagio (teriflunomide)2 years
6 more rows
Mar 7, 2022

Full Answer

What medications will prevent you from donating plasma?

MEDICATION DEFERRAL LISTAccutane.Antibiotics *Donors who are taking antibiotics are eligible to donate 24 hours after their last dose.Anti-Platelet Medications.Avodart.Blood thinners (such as Coumadin, Heparin, Lovenox, Warfarin)Bovine insulin.Hepatitis B Immune Globulin.Human-derived growth hormones.More items...

Can I donate plasma if I take antidepressants?

Patients can donate while taking antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants. During PP, solutes in plasma such as drugs can be removed, increasing drug clearance by 30%. PP affects both protein-bound and free drug concentrations.

Can you be on medication when donating plasma?

Medication. Certain medications may pose a risk to the donor or recipient, and if you're taking them you will not be able to give plasma. You must be able to provide the name of your medications when you're on site at a blood drive.

What are reasons you can't donate plasma?

Common reasons for a temporary deferral are if you have high blood pressure, your hematocrit is out of range, or if you've recently had surgery. You can also be temporarily deferred if you've recently received a blood transfusion or are taking a certain medication.

Can you donate plasma on blood pressure medication?

Donation requirements Your blood pressure cannot be higher than 180/100 mm Hg or lower than 90/50 mm Hg. If you are currently taking medication you are eligible to donate as long as your blood pressure meets these requirements. Your body temperature must be between 96.4 and 100.0 degrees F.

Why do they check your elbows when donating plasma?

You may experience weak pain near your elbow. If the needle accidentally hits an artery, the technician will remove it immediately and hold pressure on the needle insertion site for at least 10 minutes.

Can you take Adderall and donate plasma?

Taking a stimulant medication for ADHD should not prevent you from donating blood.

Does donating plasma lower blood pressure?

Conclusions. Results suggest that systolic and diastolic blood pressure may be decreased following plasmapheresis used for plasma donations at intervals of <14 days in donors with high baseline blood pressure levels.

Can I donate blood if I take anxiety medication?

You can give blood if your anxiety is mild or well controlled by medication as long as you are well on the day of donation.

Can I donate blood while on Lexapro?

Usually yes, as long as you're well and have no side effects from the medication.

Can you take Adderall and donate plasma?

Taking a stimulant medication for ADHD should not prevent you from donating blood.

Can you give blood on sertraline?

Taking an antidepressant is generally not a cause for deferral if you are well established on your treatment (at least 4 weeks) and have no side effects from the medication. You cannot give blood if you are severely depressed or have not improved on your treatment or are taking a number of types of medication.

What is the phone number to donate blood in MSK?

If you are taking any medication, even if it is not listed here, please call the MSK Blood Donor Room at 212-639-7643 to determine your eligibility. Please tell us if you…

Can you discontinue Arava?

Rheumatoid arthritis. Arava. leflunomide. 24 months. DO NOT discontinue medications prescribed or recommended by your physicians in order to donate blood. Some medications affect your eligibility as a blood donor, for the following reasons:

Do you have to wear a mask at MSK?

Patients and visitors must continue to wear masks while at MSK, including people who are fully vaccinated. MSK is offering COVID-19 vaccines to all patients age 12 and over. To schedule or learn more, read this.

Can finasteride cause birth defects?

Isotretinoin, finasteride, dutasteride acitretin, and etretinate can cause birth defects. Your donated blood could contain high enough levels to damage the unborn baby if transfused to a pregnant woman. Once the medication has been cleared from your blood, you may donate again.

How does blood donation work?

A blood donation occurs when a person has blood drawn and used for transfusions and/or made into biopharmaceutical medications by a process called fractionation. Healthy people donate a small amount of their blood to be used for blood transfusions. People usually give 1 pint (about 450 milliliters, approximately less than 1/10th of the total amount of blood in the body) and often different components of the blood (see Blood Products) are separated and given to different people. Before blood donation donors are asked a series of questions about their health, factors that might affect their health, and countries they have visited. Certain conditions and factors can permanently or temporarily disqualify people from donating blood. Disqualifying factors typically are those that might make donation dangerous for the donor or risk transmitting a disorder to the recipient. The decision to accept or disqualify a donor can be complicated. The American Red Cross provides detailed information on their web site .

How often can you give blood?

Generally, donors are not allowed to give blood more than once every 56 days. The practice of paying donors for blood has almost disappeared because it encouraged needy people to present themselves as donors and then sometimes to deny having any conditions that would disqualify them.

Can medications affect blood donors?

Some medications affect your eligibility as a blood donor, due to the following reasons:

Can finasteride cause birth defects?

Isotretinoin, finasteride, dutasteride acitretin and etretinate: can cause birth defects. Your donated blood could contain high enough levels to damage the unborn baby if transfused to a pregnant woman. Once the medication has been cleared from your blood, you may donate again.

Can you give blood if you are disqualified?

Most people can eventually give blood even if they are disqualified at first because most conditions that disqualify donors are temporary. Donated blood is tested for many infections, so the chance of getting a disease from donated blood is very small.

Can you give blood while pregnant?

During your pregnancy, you are not able to give blood. If you had a blood transfusion during your pregnancy or at delivery then you will not be able to become a blood donor. Please follow our advice about giving blood during and after pregnancy.

Can you donate erivedge to a pregnant woman?

Erivedge (Vismodegib), Aubagio (teriflunomide): can cause birth defects or the death of an unborn baby if transfused to a pregnant woman. Once the medication has been cleared from your blood, you may donate again.

Importance of it

In addition to the primary functions of plasma in the human body, it can also be used to save lives. All over the world, a lot of people suffer from diseases or injuries that require treatments that utilize human plasma.

How long does it take to donate plasma

So, how does it work? It’s actually quite similar to simple blood being drawn but with a few differences in terms of eligibility requirements and blood processing. First, to draw blood, a sterile needle is inserted into one arm at the crook of your elbow. Then, your blood is sent through a machine that collects your plasma.

How often can you do it?

According to the Red Cross Organization, “you can donate every 28 days, up to 13 times per year.” The frequency is higher compared to whole blood and red cells because only the plasma is taken from your blood (less volume).

What do they test for?

From age and weight up to medical history and medicine intake, there is a lot of information that must be screened for eligibility requirements. First, let’s talk about age, weight, and blood type.

What would restrict me from donating?

As mentioned, there would be a medical history screening and a test for transmissible diseases before you get a pass.

While pregnant

You cannot donate blood and/or plasma if you’re pregnant. You can only do so when it’s already 6 weeks post-delivery, given that you’re not experiencing other sickness or taking other medications.

Can diabetics donate plasma

Only those who have their diabetes well-controlled via insulin or oral meds can donate. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, the practice should be avoided.

What are the side effects of plasma donation?

Other possible side effects include sweating and paleness, weakness, sudden warmness, or nausea or vomiting. Dizziness and blurred or tunnel vision may also occur. More serious risks of donating plasma may be a drop in blood pressure, which can result in light-headedness or fainting.

What happens if you donate plasma?

Donating plasma can have side effects that are typically minor, but if it’s your first time donating, you may wish to have a ride home, just in case. Bruising and nerve irritation are among the most common, usually around the injection site. It may have mild swelling, which can be treated with cold packs. Nerve irritation causes immediate, intense pain at the injection site and can cause shooting pain down the arm and into the hand. If this happens, alert the technician — they’ll immediately remove the needle. This should eliminate the stabbing pain, although some mild discomfort may remain for a day or two afterward.

Why donate plasma?

Plasma donation is different than donating whole blood. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood that contains the elements necessary for blood clotting. Donating it is a more complicated process than donating blood. The blood is drawn from your arm, the components are separated, and the plasma is put into a separate bag. Then, the remaining blood components are inserted back into your arm.

Why do you need to undergo a screening for plasma donation?

Part of the reason that the screening process exists is to protect those receiving the donations, many of whom have compromised health.

What is plasma therapy?

Then, the remaining blood components are inserted back into your arm. For many chronic diseases, plasma therapy is one of the primary treatments. For example, people with clotting disorders such as hemophilia or bleeding disorders may need scheduled plasma transfusions.

How long does it take to donate plasma?

Expect the plasma donation process to take 1 to 2 hours. If it’s your first time at the donation center, the initial paperwork and health screening may take longer. Depending on how fast the blood draw occurs, the actual donation part takes roughly an hour. To donate, make an appointment at a reputable plasma donation center.

Why is plasma used in medicine?

Plasma is also used in labs to create medications to treat certain kinds of diseases, such as immune deficiency diseases and certain pulmonary illnesses like hereditary emphysema. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers plasma an essential part of medication.

What are the requirements for plasma donation?

The FDA requires plasma donors to be examined by a physician at their first donation and yearly thereafter 1. On the day of donation , you must be feeling well with no signs of infection, such as a fever, cough or trouble breathing. Your temperature, blood pressure and pulse must also be normal.

How often can you donate plasma?

According to FDA regulations, you can donate plasma up to twice per week -- but not 2 days in a row. The American Red Cross has different stipulations, stating you can donate plasma every 28 days, up to 13 times per year 1 5. Check with your donation center regarding its requirements about frequency of plasma donation 1. Plasma donations can occur more frequently than donations of whole blood because your body is able to replace plasma more quickly than blood cells.

Why is plasma tested after donation?

Your plasma will be tested after each donation to be sure you don't have any infections that could be transmitted through your blood, such as HIV and viral hepatitis 1.

What is plasma donation?

Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. It contains many important proteins that help fight infections and enable the blood to clot. But before heading to a local donation facility, there are some eligibility rules to consider. Age, weight and general health requirements must be met for your safety. You will also be asked about your medical ...

How much weight do you need to donate plasma?

Your size determines the amount of blood in your body, so you must weigh at least 110 pounds to safely donate the standard amount of plasma collected during a donation 1 8. Donors must also be old enough to consent to the donation. In most states, the minimum age is 17. However, younger donors might be accepted with parental consent.

Who wrote the article "Plasma donation"?

Written by Jennifer Ribeiro, Ph.D., C.P.T. This author has been verfied for credibility and expertise. 18 December, 2018. Like other forms of blood donation, a plasma donation can prove lifesaving to others 1 8. Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. It contains many important proteins that help fight infections and enable the blood to clot.

Can you donate plasma with insulin?

Most medications will not preclude you from donating plasma. However, there are some exceptions, such as prescription blood thinners and insulin, that may prevent you from donating. You will be asked to list all of your current medications so that the blood center staff can determine if you are eligible to donate. A recent vaccination may also make you ineligible for a period of time but will not disqualify you permanently.

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