The taking of some medication may make a donor ineligible. In most circumstances it is the condition that medication is being taken for, rather than the medication itself, that will lead to deferral:

• Antibiotics - you must wait at least 7 days from completing antibiotics before donation.
• Contraceptive use - you can donate if taking contraceptives.
• Hormone replacement therapy - if you are on treatment for the menopause, its symptoms, or for osteoporosis prevention you can donate.
• Blood pressure - you can donate provided your medication has not been changed in type or dose in the last 4 weeks. You must also not have had any complications of your condition.
• Cholesterol medication - you can donate while on medication, if you have Heart Disease or other complications of high cholesterol you can not donate.
• Tablets for diabetes - you can donate provided your medication has not been changed in type or dose in the last 4 weeks. You should not donate if you are on insulin or have had any diabetic related complications.
• Anti-depressants and anti-anxiolytics - medication for anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder does not exclude you as a donor provided your condition is stable.
• Painkillers - the reason for taking painkillers will be assessed by our staff. If you are otherwise fit to donate, we can accept you as a donor. The blood of anyone who has taken medication in the last 7 days that can interfere with platelet function (e.g. aspirin, plavix, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be used for red cells but may not be suitable for platelets.
• Anticoagulant therapy - you should not donate if receiving anticoagulant treatment. (e.g. warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban and others).