Can you donate blood if you take antidepressants?
Yes in general. Most antidepressants do not prevent donation as long as you are stable and feel well on the day.
Taking an antidepressant is not a permanent deferral. What counts is how stable you are and which medication you take.
Commonly accepted
- SSRIs: fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram, paroxetine. Generally accepted
- SNRIs: venlafaxine, duloxetine (Cymbalta). Generally accepted
- Bupropion and mirtazapine. Generally accepted
- Tricyclics (amitriptyline, nortriptyline). Generally accepted
When there may be a problem
- An acute episode of severe depression or mania
- Use of lithium, which is evaluated individually
- Additional antipsychotics, which may need a closer look
- A recent psychiatric hospitalization, evaluated case by case
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What screening looks at
- Whether your symptoms are controlled
- Medications you take
- Recent hospital stays
Important
List all of your medications, including psychiatric ones. The screening is confidential and is not shared with employers or others.
If you have taken your antidepressant for a while and are stable, you will very likely be considered eligible.
This information is general and does not replace advice from a health professional. Your eligibility is always decided at the donor screening on the day of donation. Rules change, so confirm with the American Red Cross or the blood center where you plan to donate.