2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Lets get into when you can donate with specific conditions or other health concerns, when you cant donate blood, and where to go if youre in the clear to donate. 2022. Wait 4 weeks after immunizations for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Chicken Pox and Zostavax, the live shingles vaccine. Both whole blood donation and apheresis are available, which gives you options as far as the length and frequency of your donations. People who meet blood donation criteria can donate whole blood every 56 days (8 weeks). Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL. If you ever received a transplant of animal organs or of living animal tissue - you are not eligible to donate blood. Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Be in good health, feeling well, and not taking antibiotics. Inhibits viral DNA replication by inhibiting viral DNA polymerase, incorporation, and termination of the growing viral DNA chain, and inactivation of the viral DNA polymerase. You'll have to wait to donate for two to four weeks after being vaccinated for chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella or smallpox, or receiving the oral polio vaccine. When you donate blood, a special machine is used to separate plasma from blood and make plasma available to be given to a donor. Acceptable if it has been more than 3 months since you completed treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea. Drink plenty of water while taking valacyclovir and do not allow yourself to become dehydrated. Eligible 16- and 17-year-old donors will need to have a parent or guardian sign their forms. Wait for 3 days after having oral surgery. If you have a temperature above 99.5 F, you can not donate. Most common medications, such as ones used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or depression are all ok. Our scientists pursue every aspect of cancer researchfrom exploring the biology of genes and cells, to developing immune-based treatments, uncovering the causes of metastasis, and more. If youre thinking about donating your blood but you just got the COVID-19 vaccine or are planning to get it soon, there are few things you need to keep in mind before you give. Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Acyclovir has activity against several different viruses including herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1), 2 (HSV-2), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found. See: Antibiotics, Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis/Gonorrhea, and Tuberculosis. Thalomid (thalidomide capsule). New donors must donate plasma within 6 months before a donation can be used. But there are a few precautions you should keep in mind. (2019). Wait 3 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea. If you are taking any medication, even if it is not listed here, please call the MSK Blood Donor Room at 212-639-7648 or email [emailprotected]to determine your eligibility. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. The Red Cross does not diagnose medical conditions or offer treatment. hepatitis B medications, such as entecavir, some vaccinations, such as varicella virus or zoster virus vaccine, NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, or naproxen, warfarin, an anticoagulant (blood thinner). If you have recurring cold sores, initiate treatment as soon as possible following the onset of symptoms (tingling, burning, or itching). Blood collection agencies have taken several steps to ensure both employees and donors are safe during the donation process. If you have a history of bleeding problems, you will be asked additional questions. But there are some rules you'll need to follow before you donate your blood after getting the jab. It is not on their list of medicines that you are unable to donate if you take. The Blood Donor Program welcomes regular and repeat healthy donors so that it has a steady blood supply for people in need. Acceptable as long as you do not have any limitations on daily activities and are not having difficulty breathing at the time of donation and you otherwise feel well. If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, a waiting period is required before you can donate blood. Best started within 24-48 hours of symptom onset. With cancer, where you get treated first matters. They can be prescribed to help prevent strokes or heart attacks. Persons who have been detained or incarcerated in a facility (juvenile detention, lockup, jail, or prison) for 72 hours or more consecutively (3 days) are deferred for 12 months from the date of last occurrence. Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, prevent blood from clotting. Call the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Medications for asthma do not disqualify you from donating. If you live with or have had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis, you must wait 12 months after the last contact. Platelet donors may donate as often as every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12-month period. Headaches, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are the most commonly reported side effects. Go to your donation appointment well rested and wearing a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up above your elbows. Taking antibiotics to control acne does not disqualify you from donating. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Wait 2 years after the last injection or shot of medication taken to prevent HIV infection also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)- Apretude (cabotegravir ) are injections or shots given for exposure to HIV. There are a handful of drugs that are of special significance in blood donation. Non-living animal tissues such as bone, tendon, or heart valves are acceptable. Considervolunteeringorhosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. Wearing loose clothing may help prevent a shingles rash from becoming irritated. Donating blood with a history of herpes simplex 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) is generally acceptable as long as: This is true about most viral infections. Then, your red blood cells are put back into your blood along with a saline solution. Acceptable if you have a heart murmur as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated and have not had symptoms in the last 6 months and have no restrictions on your normal daily activities. It's common to be nervous about donating blood if you've never done it before. Convalescent plasma contains antibodies that your body builds after a viral infection to fight off the illness. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Antiplatelet drugs affect how platelets work. Adequate hydration must be maintained otherwise acyclovir can precipitate in the renal tubules if its solubility is exceeded in the intratubular fluid. Blood is a lot more complex than it looks. In some cases, you cant donate blood based on certain health issues or your travel history. But you cant donate them at a blood drive because a special machine is used to remove just the platelets and return the remaining blood back to your body. What pain medication can I take with Brilinta? You have not donated blood in the past 56 days. To donate, you must be symptom-free from cold, flu or fever on the day of donation. Your immune system will quickly replace the antibodies. Resistant strains of HSV and VZV have been reported. In order to donate whole blood, youll need to: Eligibility requirements may differ if you want to donate only platelets or plasma. Anyone who has risk factors for the degenerative brain disorder Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Anyone who spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996, Anyone who received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom or France from 1980 to the present, Anyone who has spent time that adds up to five years or more in France or Ireland from 1980 to 2001. Wait 3 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. You can also donate blood if you have: Asthma if it's well treated, with no current shortness of breath Diabetes if it's well treated with diet and/or medications Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). We encourage you to make an appointment to donate blood at the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program to help overcome the severe blood shortage. Discuss your particular situation with your personal healthcare provider and the health historian at the time of donation. Consult your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) for more in formation. If youre not sure, call your local blood donation center to ask if youre eligible to donate platelets, plasma, or convalescent plasma. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Platelet, double red cell and plasma donations, Authorization to Release Protected Health Information, Read more about the national blood shortage. Some people are at high risk of bloodborne infections, which makes them ineligible to donate blood. Antibiotic by injection for an infection acceptable 10 days after last injection. In many cases, the answer is. If you've recently gotten a tattoo, traveled abroad or take medications . Select one or more newsletters to continue. Data suggests valacyclovir is most effective if started within this time. Be careful not to transfer the virus to others; ensure you do not share linen, such as towels. If you meet all eligibility criteria below, please schedule your appointment today to transform the lives of patients in need. Make your tax-deductible gift today, and be a part of cutting-edge research and care that's changing medicine as it's known today. Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully. Here are some resources you can use to figure out whether you can donate blood: Wondering if you have herpes and want to know before you donate blood? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Talk to your doctor if youre not sure whether its OK to donate blood if you have HPV. Rarely, may cause side effects such as agitation, hallucinations, confusion, or seizures. Available for Android and iOS devices. Learn how transfusion reactions occur and how to minimize. However you must wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis. But only 3% of age-eligible people donate blood each year. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with valacyclovir. Feldene (piroxicam), no waiting period for donating whole blood. If you are taking antibiotics, then you will need to wait for 24 hours after your last dose before you can donate blood. In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. In Florida you can donate whole blood every 56 days, at minimum. General Eligibility Requirements It can cause miscarriage, premature birth, and severe birth defects. Donors with clotting disorder from Factor V who are not on anticoagulants are eligible to donate; however, all others must be evaluated by the health historian at the collection center. So, if you are currently taking medication and want to know if you can give blood, check the top 40 acceptable and unacceptable medications first. A pulse that is regular and less than 50 will require evaluation by the regional American Red Cross physician. All rights reserved. IF you plan to donate in any other state, call 1-800-RED CROSS for more information. Now that youve decided that youre eligible to donate blood, where do you donate? Apheresis blood donation (double red cells, platelets, plasma) takes about 1 1/2-2 hours. If you ever tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C, at any age, you are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced from the infection. Just as with blood donation, you dont have to wait to give platelets or plasma after youve had your COVID-19 vaccine as long as you know the vaccine manufacturer. Platelets are small, tiny cell fragments that form clots to stop you from bleeding. You'll also be given a. Double red cell donation takes about 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation. Contact the blood donor center or your doctor if you: Get our free e-newsletter to stay up to date on the latest health information from experts at Mayo Clinic. Common medications such as those used to control blood pressure, birth control pills and over-the-counter medications do not affect your eligibility. Also exhibits activity against other viruses that do not code for this enzyme. The cycle is repeated a few times till enough plasma is collected. These medications are not usually taken together. If youve had COVID-19 and want to give convalescent plasma, the rules are a bit different. Acceptable if you have a positive skin test or blood test, but no active tuberculosis and are NOT taking antibiotics. Considervolunteeringorhosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. It is not necessarily surgery but the underlying condition that precipitated the surgery that requires evaluation before donation. Wait 3 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found. If you have been diagnosed with vCJD, CJD or any other TSE or have a blood relative diagnosed with genetic CJD (e.g., fCJD, GSS, or FFI) you cannot donate. Treatment for cold sores should not exceed one day. Considervolunteeringorhosting a blood drivethrough the Red Cross. Medications That May Delay Your Donation. Wait 3 months after receiving any type of organ transplant from another person. ). For more information about other medications, contact the Blood Donor Program. You may donate blood after most vaccinations if you're feeling well. https://www.redcrossblood.org/content/dam/redcrossblood/missing-documents/3468_Medication-Deferral-List.pdf. Also learn which conditions make you ineligible to donate, how to find a blood bank, and, There are certain stimulants and drugs that can disqualify you from giving blood, but can you donate blood if you smoke? Platelet donors may donate as often as every eight days, and up to 24 times in a 12-month period. Acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. In general, acceptable as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated, have no current (within the last 6 months) heart related symptoms such as chest pain and have no limitations or restrictions on your normal daily activities. Wait until theyre dry and healed. The .gov means its official. All additional blood donation eligibility criteria will apply. Donated blood helps meet many medical needs, including those of people who have lost blood due to trauma, an organ transplant or other major surgery, as well as those who cannot make enough blood on their own due to illness or treatment. Cold, Flu and Other Types of Illness If you don't feel well on the day of your donation, please call to cancel. Please keep in mind that donor eligibility and ability to donate can change over time. This makes it more convenient for people to take. Get in touch with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Blood Bank at (301) 496-1048. How long do I have to take Brilinta after a stent or heart attack? The FDA has given emergency authorization for convalescent plasma therapy with high antibody levels to treat COVID-19. Still not sure if you can donate blood because of another limitation or condition? We know your time is valuable, and it's important to us that your donor experience is a positive one. Papillomavirus can be transmitted through the blood and produce infections in blood recipients: Evidence from two animal models. Before donating: A person can find blood donation services by searching online for nearby centers or using an online locator . If, in the past 3 years, you have been outside the United States or Canada: Acceptable if you are healthy and well and have been vaccinated for measles more than 4 weeks ago or were born before 1956. If you get a nonreplicating, inactivated or mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, you can donate blood without a waiting period. Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 Feb 2023), Cerner Multum (updated 22 Feb 2023), ASHP (updated 12 Feb 2023) and others. But the benefits of donating blood arent, Discover whether you can donate blood if you have a tattoo. In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation, Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors (not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood. And, yes, you can donate blood if you are taking medication for high blood pressure.