Migraine - Whole Blood and Components

Essential information

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

1. Migraine is severe.
2. Migraine occurs more than once a week.
3. On prophylactic treatment with sodium valproate (valproic acid), topiramate or a monoclonal antibody therapy.

Discretionary

If the donor's migraine is not severe, and

• it occurs less than once per week, and
• any treatment does not preclude donation,

accept.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Headache
• Monoclonal antibody therapy and other biological modalities
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Valproate and topiramate

Additional information

Migraine is caused by a disturbance in the normal blood flow to parts of the brain. Severe forms can be associated with focal neurological signs and symptoms, such as hemiplegia, or result in the frequency and duration of symptoms limiting normal activities.

By not accepting people with the more severe forms of migraine we hope to prevent precipitating an attack through the process of donating blood.

Care should be taken to assess any medication the donor has taken, either as prophylaxis or as relief for a migraine. Such medication may include Valproate, Topiramate or new monoclonal antibody treatments that may mean the donor is not eligible to donate.

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) therapy may be given to patients with frequent migraine where other preventative treatment has failed. MAb therapies are given by injection or by infusion. They include Eptinezumab (Vyepti®), Erenumab (Aimovig®), Fremanezumab (Ajovy®), Galcanezumab (Emgality®).

Any donor who has had migraine associated with giving blood on more than one occasion should be advised not to continue as a donor.

Reason for change:

The entry has been revised including the addition of an obligatory deferral for prophylaxis with topiramate or monoclonal antibody therapy. The ‘See if Relevant’ section has been updated.

Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 74 (26 November 2024)