Some drugs can alter platelet function for several hours or days after they are taken.
If a donor is otherwise eligible to donate but has taken a drug affecting platelets in the 48 hours prior to donation, their donation should not be used to manufacture blood components that are intended to treat thrombocytopenia or platelet dysfunction; this includes apheresis platelets, pooled platelets and some whole blood components.
This rule applies to drugs taken systemically, i.e. medication that is taken orally or rectally, or medication that is taken by injection.
This rule does not apply to creams or gels applied topically to the skin. Donors who have used topical medications which are listed in this index, can be accepted for platelets immediately.
Drugs which affect platelet function are usually taken as painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. Some can be purchased directly from shops or pharmacies without a prescription. They may be sold under their generic drug name (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen) or they may be sold under a brand name.
This entry lists Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and other painkillers which affect platelet function. It does not include every medication which could affect platelets. Some drugs, such as clopidogrel, have not been included because a donor taking them would not be eligible to donate anyway.
If a donor reports taking anti-inflammatory or pain-killing medication, but has been assessed as eligible to donate, their medication must be checked against this entry.
The entry has been redrafted to list only generic drug names and no longer includes brand names. This is because some brand names are used for several formulations, not all of which contain the same active drugs. It is important that staff confirm the exact drug taken by a donor.
Up-to-date product information for branded medications available in the UK can be found online at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency, bnf.nice.org.uk and www.medicines.org.uk/emc. If there is doubt about the active drug in any individual branded product, staff should apply the 48 hour rule for platelet production.
Donors may contact the blood service to report they had taken NSAIDs before their donation. If any blood components containing therapeutic platelets have been manufactured from the donor’s blood, these should be discarded. If such components have been transfused, a DCSO should assess the need to notify the treating clinician.
| Aceclofenac | |
| Acemetacin | |
| Aspirin | |
| Azapropazone | |
| Celecoxib | |
| Dexketoprofen | |
| Diclofenac potassium | |
| Diclofenac sodium | |
| Etodolac | |
| Etoricoxib | |
| Felbinac | |
| Fenbufen | |
| Fenoprofen | |
| Flurbiprofen | |
| Ibuprofen | |
| Indometacin | |
| Ketoprofen | |
| Ketorolac trometamol | |
| Mefenamic Acid | |
| Meloxicam | |
| Nabumetone | |
| Naproxen | |
| Parecoxib | |
| Piroxicam | |
| Sulindac | |
| Tenoxicam | |
| Tiaprofenic Acid | |
| Tolfenamic Acid |