Many donors take medication. Most medicines do not automatically disqualify you, but the reason you are taking them often matters more than the medicine itself.

General principles

·       If you are taking a medicine for a stable, well‑controlled condition, you may still be eligible.

·       If you started a new medicine recently for an acute illness (infection, severe pain, etc.), you may need to wait until the illness is resolved.

·       Some medicines can remain in your blood and might affect patients; these may require temporary or permanent deferral.

Always bring a list of your medications or take a photo of your prescriptions to show staff.

Common categories

1.      Blood pressure and heart medications

o   Many anti‑hypertensive drugs are compatible with donation if your blood pressure is controlled.

o   Blood thinners (like warfarin, some newer oral anticoagulants) may disqualify you or limit what kind of donation you can give, especially if there is a risk of bleeding from the needle site.

2.     Diabetes medicines

o   Tablets (such as metformin) are often acceptable if your diabetes is stable.

o   Insulin use may require extra review; some centres accept stable insulin‑treated donors, others may not.

3.     Antibiotics

o   If you are on antibiotics for an active infection, you will usually be asked to wait until the course is completed and you are symptom‑free.

o   Taking prophylactic antibiotics (for example, for a chronic condition) is more complex and should be discussed with the medical staff.

4.     Painkillers and anti‑inflammatory drugs

o   Simple painkillers like paracetamol may be acceptable if the underlying condition is not serious.

o   Some anti‑inflammatories can affect platelet function; they may lead to deferral from platelet donation but not necessarily from red‑cell donation.

o   Strong painkillers may indicate a serious underlying problem and trigger further questions.

5.     Psychiatric medications

o   Many antidepressants and anti‑anxiety medicines are compatible with donation if you are stable and able to give informed consent.

o   Recent changes in medication or recent psychiatric hospitalization may require a temporary deferral.

Special warning: never stop medication just to donate

Do not stop any prescribed medication without talking to your doctor, simply to make yourself “eligible” to donate. Your health comes first. It is always better to:

·       Discuss your medication and condition with the blood bank doctor.

·       Accept a deferral if they advise it.