Drug treatment - Whole Blood and Components

Essential information

Obligatory

See: any entry for the disease being treated or the drug taken.

The taking of some drugs may make a donor ineligible. This could be due to the underlying disease or to the medication.

Discretionary

Self-medication with some drugs e.g. vitamins, aspirin, sleeping tablets, need not prevent a donation being accepted, providing the donor meets all other criteria.

The number of different drugs taken should not of itself make a donor ineligible.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Acne
• Alopecia
• Anti-androgens
• Antibiotic therapy
• Autoimmune disease
• Drug Index - Drugs and platelet donation
• Immunodeficiency
• Immunoglobulin therapy
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Prostate problems
• Psoriasis
• Skin disease
• Steroid therapy

Additional information

In most circumstances it is the condition that a drug is being taken for, rather than the drug itself, that will lead to deferral. This is because the amount of drug that will be transfused will be very small.

Some drugs are however known to cause birth defects even in tiny amounts. As we do not know who may receive donated blood (it may be transfused directly into an unborn baby) people taking these drugs must be deferred.

It is also important to be certain that a particular drug will not stop platelets from working properly. The blood of anyone who has taken drugs in the last seven days that can interfere with platelet function can be used for red cells but may not be suitable for preparing platelets.

If a specific drug is not indexed individually, or as a group (e.g. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs or Steroids), and the reason for treatment is not a cause for deferral, the donor should be accepted. If in doubt contact a Designated Clinical Support Officer.

Reason for change:

Link updated from 'Immunosuppression' to 'Immunodeficiency' in the 'See if Relevant' section.

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 73 (07 October 2024)