Can you donate blood if you take lithium?
Usually yes, if your condition is well controlled and you feel well on the day. Lithium itself is not a standard reason to be turned away, but the screening looks at your overall health.
Lithium is a mood stabilizer, most often prescribed for bipolar disorder. When it comes to blood donation, the focus is on your health on the day and how stable you are, more than the medication itself.
The medication
At therapeutic doses, lithium does not make donated blood unsafe for the patient who receives it. It is not treated as an automatic deferral.
What screening looks at
- Are you stable, without a recent manic or depressive episode?
- Are you taking your treatment regularly?
- Do you feel well and healthy on the day of donation?
An active episode will usually mean waiting until you are stable again.
How to prepare
- Tell the screener that you take lithium and list every medication you use
- Bring your medication list if you are unsure about a name or dose
- If you are not sure you are stable enough, talk to your prescriber first
Eligibility is decided by the blood center's health screening on the day, so rules can differ slightly between centers. If you are unsure, call the center you plan to visit before you go.
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.