These tips are the same not only for those who regularly donate their blood or plan to do it in the nearest future. Precautions are the same as with the organ or any physical tissue donation. You certainly have good intentions and your desire to help a person in need is generous and big-hearted. Nevertheless, you should understand that even this brave act of self-sacrifice is not always acceptable especially in case if you take certain medications.
The main thing to keep in mind is that medications don’t make you an inappropriate donor permanently. You can become an active donor again as soon as the effect of the medication fades away. Here is what you need to know about the list of meds preventing you from being an eligible blood donor.
Acne Drugs
They all contain isotretinoin, which is very helpful for the severe cases of skin conditions. Unfortunately, this component is harmful, especially for the kids. It prevents the body from proper, continuous growth and causes numerous defects at birth. However, isotretinoin is very effective for acne cases, and you’ll be able to donate blood again only in a month after you take your last pill. Stay away from the following meds:
- Accutane;
- Absorica;
- Claravis;
- Myorisan;
- Sotret;
- Zentane.
Hair Loss Pills
Finasteride is the main component of the drugs destined to help you restore your hair and deal with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Dutasteride and tamsulosin are also considered dangerous. It’s very effective for men of all ages. Nevertheless, it is dangerous while being in the blood of a donor. It makes male babies suffer from defects at birth. Wait for about 30 days until you’re able to donate blood again. Dutasteride and tamsulosin need about six months to leave your blood. Be careful with the following meds:
- Proscar;
- Propecia;
- Dutasteride;
- Avodart;
- Jalyn.
Psoriasis Meds
Stay away from acitretin containing medications. You’ll be surprised, but you’ll have to wait for about three years until you’re able to donate blood again. Blood containing acitretin may cause numerous defects at birth and congenital conditions in babies. Deaths a birth can also be provoked by this component. If you take Soriatane (acitretin) regularly, you will not be able to become a donor.
Drugs Affecting Arterial Circulation
They are also known as Antiplatelet medications. They are not as serious as previous medications on the list. Nevertheless, you’ll have to wait for no more than two weeks after the last intake of the drug. The following drugs are prohibited for those who plan to become blood donors:
- Aspirin (you’ll have to wait for about a couple of days after the last intake);
- Plavix (two weeks of waiting);
- Ticlid (two weeks as well);
- Effient (the period is one week);
- Brilinta (7 days as well).
Thrombosis Medications
They are used in cases if you suffer from atrial fibrillation or blood clots. The trouble is that blood thinners prevent your blood from regular clotting. You will have to wait for at least seven days until you manage to become a blood donor in case if you take:
- Arixtra;
- Coumadin;
- Heparin.
More effective blood thinners need only about a couple of days to disappear from your blood. They are:
- Fragmin;
- Eliquis;
- Pradaxa;
- Xarelto;
- Lovenox.
Growth Hormone
If you made the injections of growth hormone at any time in your life, you are completely disqualified as a blood donor.
Multiple Sclerosis Drugs
To be more precise, you should stay away from Aubagio. There’s no exact evidence that this drug causes congenital health conditions. Nevertheless, this med is considered dangerous unless the researches prove it to be safe. Active components of Aubagio will completely fade away from your blood only in about two years.
There’s nothing wrong in case if you take medicines based on neutral, herbal components. Homeopathic treatments don’t affect the quality of blood.
We hope our tips were helpful and you won’t have to waste your time on routine medical checkups before the blood donation. Most drugs do not have a serious impact on the quality of your blood. There’s a list of common medications that you can take regularly without being afraid to spoil your blood. Most antibiotics, birth control pills, and blood pressure treatments are acceptable.