Drugs

There are only a few drugs that, as such, prevent blood donation. In most cases, drugs used by a blood donor are assessed based on the reason why they are used, and the key factor is whether the disease that the drug is taken for prevents blood donation.

For example, as drugs, antihypertensives, cholesterol medications, allergy and asthma medications, drugs preventing benign prostatic hyperplasia, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories and sleeping pills do not prevent donation. Please note that there is a two weeks deferral period to blood donation after starting any antihypertensive drug and a one month period after starting any psychopharmaceutical drug.

In case of diabetes, only the use of insulin prevents donation. Other drugs for diabetes are allowed.

The majority of people using these drugs can donate blood. Please note that there is a one-month deferral period to blood donation after starting non-insulin diabetes medication (tablet form or injection that is not insulin).

Use of herbal medicinal preparations and natural drugs do not prevent donation. In addition, all nutritional supplements and vitamins are allowed.

Further information regarding the impact of drugs on the suitability to donate blood can be found under the disease for which the drug is prescribed.