Medications & Blood Donations

Video Transcript

"A lot of people think, because I'm on a blood pressure medicine or I'm on an insulin because I'm diabetic that I can't give. The reason most people, if they're deferred for medication, it's not the medication sake. It's the reason you're on the medication is what takes you away from donating. And for a lot of people that's an "ah ha" moment because you think well because I take that blood pressure pill I can't give. No, it's the blood pressure problem is the reason you can't give. There's not very many medications that cause you to be deferred. We do have a certain list of them, however, and you do have to read through those prior to your donation. We're going to ask you when you sit down in our history booth, "Have you read through our list for, our medication list for today?" And make sure you understand that certain medications do knock you out but it's mainly the reason you're on the medication. Now a lot of times when we get into this subject people do raise their hand and ask questions, "Why I am high, I do have high blood pressure, can I give?" Well, the answer is, "Yes you can, even if you're on medication." That's what I'm talking about there's different things or different reasons for deferral, it's not just the medication itself, it's the reason you're on the medication. As long as you're on medication, even with high blood pressure, if you're on medication because of high blood pressure and your blood pressures regulated with the medication, you can still give. If you're a diabetic, insulin, non insulin dependent, as long as your medication hadn't changed in the previous two weeks of your donation date, you can still give. So, that's when we do our question and answers like we've talked about today. Just to make sure we're asking the right question, getting a good answer, and making sure our donors are staying safe."