Medication

It is important that you tell us the name of the medication you are taking and the reason you are taking it when you come to the donor clinic as some medications can be harmful to a patient receiving a blood transfusion.

Antibiotics 

You can give blood two weeks after you have fully recovered from infection. You must also have finished your course of antibiotics at least one week before giving blood.

You cannot give blood if you are prone to infections and/or you are taking antibiotics on a continuous basis, to prevent infection

Anti-coagulant therapy e.g. Warfarin, or Xarelto

You cannot not give blood if you are taking anti-coagulant treatment.

Anti-depressants  

See Depression

Anti-histamines:

 See Allergy

Cholesterol lowering medication

See Cholesterol

Contraceptives  

You can give blood while taking oral contraception pill or if you are using other contraceptive measures

High blood pressure medication

See Blood Pressure

Iron Tablets  

See Anaemia

Pain Killers

You can give blood if:

- If the reason for taking the medication does not exclude you from giving blood. 

- If you are in good health and are not in pain when you attend the blood donor clinic.