Can I still give blood while taking Prednisone (a steriod i'm prescribed for poison ivy)?
Posted on | August 10, 2010 |
My Mother, who is a nurse, told me I should still be allowed to give blood. But does anybody else know for sure, or has anybody else done it? Thanks for your help 
Category: Steriod Questions
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One Response to “Can I still give blood while taking Prednisone (a steriod i'm prescribed for poison ivy)?”
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August 10th, 2010 @ 2:26 am
The Red Cross website (www.redcross.org) lists the medications that would prevent you from donating blood. Prednisone is not on the list, so you should be able to give blood with no problem.
Here are the drugs listed:
– Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis or Sotret (isoretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride) - wait 1 month from the last dose.
– Avodart (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
– Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However you must wait 48 hours after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Feldene (piroxicam), no waiting period for donating whole blood. However you must wait 48 hours after taking Feldene (piroxicam) before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Clopidogrel - wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Coumadin (warfarin) , heparin or other prescription blood thinners- you should not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate.
– Hepatitis B Immune Globulin – given for exposure to hepatitis, wait 12 months after exposure to hepatitis.
– Human pituitary-derived growth hormone at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
– Plavix - wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Soriatane (acitretin) - wait 3 years.
– Tegison (etretinate) at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
– Ticlid - wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
– Ticlopidine - wait 14 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
They also say, "In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. As long as the condition is under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted."