Donating Blood...

Donor Eligibility

This section offers some common guidelines to help you determine whether you are eligible to donate blood or platelets. Any questions regarding donor eligibility should be referred to the Inland Northwest Blood Center’s Donor and Patient Services Department for evaluation by calling (509) 624-0151 or (800) 423-0151.

Those who are in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and can meet the general eligibility criteria are able to make a whole blood or apheresis platelet donation. Donors need to be at least 18 years old and there is no upper age limit. (Note: persons 16 or 17 years old may also donate with a “Permission & Consent to Donate Blood Form” signed by a parent or legal guardian.)

Condition	Deferral
Allergy Medications (Shots)	None
Antibiotics	None, following completion of treatment
Antidepressants	None
Birth Control	None
Blood Pressure Medications	None, if blood pressure is within acceptable limits
Cancer	Must be evaluated
Colds & Flu	Until symptom free
Diabetes	None, if blood sugar levels are stable
Ear/Body Piercing	12 months (unless preformed in a doctor’s office)
Tattoo	12 months (unless performed in a doctor’s office)
Epilepsy	Acceptable if no seizures for 1 year
Flu Shot	None
Hepatitis & Jaundice After Age 11	Permanent deferral
Malaria	3 years after treatment
Travel to Malaria Area	1 year from return date to US
Previous Residency in Europe	Must be evaluated
Pregnancy	6 weeks after delivery, miscarriage or abortion
Surgery	When healed and no stitches
Small Pox Vaccination	2 month deferral
Transfusion	1 year

Medication/Condition	Deferral
Proscar (finasteride) usually given for prostate gland enlargement	Four weeks
Avodart (dutsateride)– usually given for prostate enlargement	Six months
Propecia (finasteride) – usually given for baldness	Four weeks
Accutane (isotretinoin) – usually given for severe acne	Four weeks
Soriatane (acitretin) – usually given for severe psoriasis	Three years
Tegison (etretinate) – usually given for severe Psoriasis	Permanent
Growth Hormone from Human Pituitary glands – used only until 1985, usually for children with delayed or impaired growth	Permanent
Insulin from Cows (Bovine, or Beef, Insulin)- Used to treat diabetes	Must be evaluated
Hepatitis B Immune Globulin – given following an exposure to Hepatitis B NOTE: This is different from the Hepatitis B vaccine which is a series of 3 injections given over a 6 month period to prevent future infection from exposures to Hepatitis B	One year