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According to redcrossblood.org, the Red Cross is seeing the lowest blood shortage in over a decade. That's no wonder, especially with the COVID-19 continuing to spread and blood drives getting called off.

Many patients rely on blood donations, including those battling cancer, organ transplant patients, and accident and burn victims. That's why blood banks worldwide are requesting people to donate blood.

However, before donating, you must ensure that your donated blood is safe. You might be disqualified as a blood donor if you're currently taking any medications that might affect platelet function. But it's only temporary. You may need to wait for a period to donate blood following your last dose.

Acne Medications

If you are currently taking acne medications, you will likely be unable to donate blood for a while. Acne medications such as Accutane, Claravis, and Zentane contain isotretinoin.

Isotretinoin is a form of Vitamin A that can be helpful for those with severe cases of acne. Still, it comes with some grave health risks, such as congenital disabilities. If you are currently taking acne medications, you might have to wait for at least one month after your last pill to donate.

Soriatane for Psoriasis

Soriatane is a medication that is used to treat psoriasis. It is a systemic medication, which affects the entire body. Because of this, it is not safe to take Soriatane if you are planning to donate blood.

This medication can cause serious side effects, which can be dangerous for recipients of donated blood. Side effects include liver damage, congenital disabilities, and increased cancer risk.

Potential donors must be aware of the risks before they decide to donate. Additionally, you'll have to wait at least three years after you finish your course of treatment before you can donate blood.

Blood Thinners

Blood thinners are medications that are used to prevent blood clots from forming. While they help prevent dangerous blood clots, they can also be dangerous for those donating blood.

When someone donates blood, they often have to wait a certain amount of time before donating again because it can cause a small tear in the veins. If a person takes blood thinners, the medication can worsen these tears and cause excessive bleeding.

That's why people taking blood thinners are often not allowed to donate blood. It is essential to understand the risks associated with taking blood thinners before deciding whether or not to donate blood.

Antiplatelet Agents

When donating blood, a person must be healthy and free of harmful agents. One such agent is antiplatelet agents. Antiplatelet agents are medications taken to prevent the formation of blood clots. While these medications effectively prevent blood clots, they can also be harmful to the donor.

Antiplatelet agents can cause a decrease in the number of platelets in the donor's blood. Platelets are essential in the clotting process, and a decrease in their numbers can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. In addition, these medications can also cause nausea and vomiting in the donor.

These side effects can make it difficult for the donor to give blood. Therefore, donors must be aware of the potential side effects of antiplatelet agents and discuss them with their health care provider before donating blood.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are a type of medication used to kill or stop the growth of bacteria. They are often prescribed to treat infections, such as respiratory infections, ear infections, and urinary tract infections. However, antibiotics are not recommended for people who are donating blood.

These medications could potentially weaken or contaminate the blood supply. In addition, they can cause adverse reactions in people who receive the blood. Antibiotics can also cause nausea and vomiting, which can be dangerous for those donating blood.

Human-derived Growth Hormones

Growth hormones are often contaminated with other substances, such as viruses and bacteria, and can cause harmful side effects, like weight gain, diabetes, and cancer. All of which could potentially harm the donor.

Additionally, the risk of passing on a virus to a recipient is much greater when growth hormones are present in the blood. For these reasons, human-derived growth hormones are not used in the donation process. This type of medication will completely disqualify you from donating blood.

Hair Loss Pills

There are a variety of hair loss pills on the market that make a range of promises, but most of them are not suitable for people donating blood. Some hair loss pills contain ingredients that can thin the blood and make it difficult to donate. In addition, many over-the-counter hair loss pills have not been tested or proven to be effective.

Takeaway

It's essential to be aware of these drugs before donating blood so that you can reschedule your donation until after you have stopped taking them. When you're ready to donate, make sure to drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy meal. And be sure to tell the donation staff about any medications you're taking. If you have questions about whether or not you can donate blood, don't hesitate to call the American Red Cross at 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).