Can I give blood while taking fluoxetine, bupropion and Adderall?
Question posted by Fancy-Pigeon on 12 Nov 2018
Last updated on 14 November 2018
I am taking these medications for depression, and have been on Adderall and fluoxetine for four years and bupropion for two. They do not appear to have any noticeable negative side effects (well, the Adderall reduces my appetite, but I make sure to eat enough and stay conscious of it. It also can hinder sleep if I were to take it too late, but I really only take it when I wake up.)
My doctor says I can skip Adderall any day. I prefer to have it, but I don't have to. However, for the other two, she says I can't skip because it is the kind to build up in the body system and will cause adverse effects if I were to suddenly go from my current dose to none.
I've also given blood before. I believe I didn't take my medications when I did so, if my memory serves me correctly. It went well except I fainted a bit afterward.
Hi Fancy-Pigeon: When you go in to donate, you will be asked to give a list of current medications, and they will tell you whether or not you are a donor candidate at the time of your visit. Did your doctor recommend donating blood? I donated in the past. My last doctor suggested I donate blood every couple of months to keep my hematocrit levels down, as they only slightly elevated. She told me that donating my blood would help save lives, although the main reason she wanted me to do it was to keep my blood levels normal! She said that is the reason why many people donate blood, but the end result is that the both the giver and the receiver benefit from it. So go for it!
Votes: +3
MA
marzboy777
12 Nov 2018
Hi Fancy-Pigeon! I take Adderall and an antidepressant (Viibryd) as well as Gabapentin. I'm not a doctor, only my take on giving blood is as follows: With these meds in my body, I don't give blood; I keep things just that simple. Also... if you fainted or felt faint after giving blood, you may be anemic (as am I).
Votes: +1
WI
WildcatVet
12 Nov 2018
Your hemoglobin is checked before you donate. If it's low you're not eligible. I take Depakote, Ritalin, Vraylar, and Wellbutrin and I donate every eight weeks to help save lives.
NI
Nitro061
14 Nov 2018
Excellent info, I also wondered about that.
WI
WildcatVet
12 Nov 2018
Hi, Fancy! Except if you're taking blood thinners, growth hormone, or a few obscure drugs you are eligible to donate blood. At the time of donation, or if you use RapidPass, there will be questions about the prohibited drugs. As far as your medications your doctor is right. Adderall may be used as needed, but stopping or skipping doses of fluoxetine or bupropion suddenly may lead to discontinuation symptoms. If you stop them for any length of time it could also cause a recurrence of your original symptoms (anxiety, depression, etc.).
