Psoriasis

Psoriatic Arthritis

Must not donate if:
a) Has ever taken etretinate (Tigason^®).

b) Less than 36 months from the last dose of acitretin (Neotigason^®).

c) Less than 6 months from the last dose of any treatment that may affect the immune system.

d) Generalised or severe.

e) There is secondary infection.

a) If mild, the venepuncture site is unaffected and only using topical treatment, accept.

b) If the donor:

• has been established on oral treatment for their disease with only one of the following drugs: Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Hydroxychloroquine or Azathioprine, and
• their disease is controlled by medication, and
• the dose of the drug has not increased in the previous 6 months, and
• the venepuncture site is not affected, and
• the donor is well,

accept.

c) If the donor:

• is receiving PUVA or UVA therapy for their skin disease, and
• their disease is controlled, and
• the venepuncture site is not affected, and
• the donor is well,

accept.

Autoimmune Disease
Monoclonal antibody therapy and other Biological Modalities
Steroid Therapy

Psoriasis is primarily a skin condition caused by an autoimmune process. Sometimes the disease is treated with powerful drugs and/or ultraviolet radiation to suppress the underlying autoimmune process. This may be with treatment with PUVA, methotrexate, ciclosporin, hydroxycarbamide etc. and this may alter the body's defence mechanisms to infection.

Etretinate (Tigason^®) and acitretin (Neotigason^®) can cause birth defects in babies exposed to them while inside the womb. It is important to allow time for the drug to be cleared from the blood of a donor. It takes longer to clear some drugs than others.

The text has been further updated to ensure consistency with other DSG references to immunosuppression.

If you wish to obtain more information regarding a personal medical issue, please contact your National Help Line.

Please do not contact this web site for personal medical queries, as we are not in a position to provide individual answers.