Most prescribed medicines don’t prevent you from donating, but the medical condition they’re prescribed for might.
You can’t donate while you’re taking any of the following medications and for a period of time after you’ve finished:
| Medication | Known as | Period you'll have to wait after taking |
|---|---|---|
| Misoprostol | Cytotec | 24 hours for blood donation only |
| Finasteride | Finasta, Finnacar, Finpro, Propecia, Proscar | 7 days |
| Corticosteroids taken orally | Florinef, Hysone, Panafcort, Solone | 2 weeks (if taken for 7 days or less) 4 weeks (if taken for more than 7 days) |
| Isotretinoin | Oratane, Roaccutane | 4 weeks |
| TNF blockers | Cimzia, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Simponi | 6 months |
| Mepolizumab | Nucala | 6 months |
| Dutasteride | Avodart, Duodart | 6 months |
| Denosumab | Prolia | 6 months |
| Raloxifene | Evista | 6 months |
| Leflunomide | Arava, Arabloc, Lunava | 2 years |
| Acitretin | Neotigason | 3 years |
| Etretinate | Tigason | Indefinite |
Even low doses of some of these medications could affect the vulnerable people receiving your blood (like pregnant women and newborn babies), while others may affect your fitness to donate.
If you take any of the medications listed above, wait until you’ve completed treatment and the appropriate period has passed. If you’re on other prescribed medications, please note their names and give us a call to see if any of them will affect your eligibility to donate.
For your own health, please don’t stop taking any medication to donate.
