Eligibility

There is no deferral for these types of medications: Antidepressants, Analgesics, Antacids, Anti-asthmatics (steroid-free), Anti-Fungal (External), Anti-histamines, Anti-Hypertensive (High Blood Pressure), Birth Control, Decongestants, Diet Pill, Diuretic, Tranquilizers, Topical Steroid, Vitamins.

Antibiotics: deferral is 1 day after your last dose (you must complete the course as prescribed by a doctor) and be symptom-free.

Asprin: Deferral is 2 days from your last dose. Aspirin List

For a complete medication list, click here.

There is no deferral for these types of common ailments: Acid Reflux, Acne, Allergies, Arthritis-Osteo, Arthritis-Rheumatoid (if asymptomatic), diabetes (if controlled), High Blood Pressure, Psoriasis, Poison Ivy, Ringworm, Ulcerative Colitis (if asymptomatic), vaginal yeast infection.

Cold/Flu – 1 day deferral

Crown placement (permanent) with no gum probing or drilling/sanding of tooth – No deferral
Crown placement (temporary) with sanding/drilling of tooth – 4-day deferral
Dental Cleaning – 2-day deferral
Extraction (simple) – 4-day deferral
Filling – 2-day deferral
Oral surgery – 4-day deferral
Root canal – 4-day deferral
Seating of dental appliance after root canal – 2-day deferral
Wisdom tooth extraction – 4-day deferral

The deferral period is 10 days. Donors can donate any products on the 11^th day after the last symptoms, or the 11^th day after a positive diagnostic test result.

Skin (Basal Cell or Squamous Cell) – No deferral if completely excised and healed
Melanoma – 1-year deferral
Deep Tissue – 1-year deferral
Breast – 1-year deferral
Leukemia/Lymphoma – Indefinite deferral (Prior to the age of 12 is a 10-year deferral.)

Updated Donor Education Material

Herpes, HPV & Chlamydia – no deferral
Syphilis or Gonorrhea – 3-month deferral
HIV/AIDS – indefinite deferral
PrEp/PEP for HIV Prevention Information

Hepatitis B or C since your 11th birthday – indefinite deferral

Hepatitis A – must be one year from the last active date
Household or sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis – 3 month deferral

Accidental Needlestick – 3-month deferral
Surgical Blood Transfusion – 3-month deferral
Mononucleosis – 1-month deferral
Stroke – 1-year deferral
Diabetes – no deferral
Heart Attack – May donate if 6 months have passed and the donor is asymptomatic and has written approval from a doctor. A doctor’s note of approval is not needed if the heart attack occurred three or more years ago.
Heart Murmur or MVP – no deferral if asymptomatic

16-year-olds – Must weigh at least 125 lbs.

Weight – Donors over 19 must weigh at least 115 lbs.

Endoscopy (includes any form of colonoscopy, endoscopy, or upper GI endoscopy) – 4-day deferral (may require longer deferral based on scope results.)

There is no deferral for these vaccines: COVID-19 (if not a live virus vaccine), Tetanus Booster, Flu (Shot or Mist), or Polio.

Hepatitis B – 3 week deferral
MMR – 4 week deferral

Meningitis – No deferral
Shingrix or Zostavax (Shingles) – 4 week deferral
Anti-HPV – 1 day deferral

Click here to learn more about vaccines and blood donations. 

Pregnancy, Abortion, Miscarriage – 6-week deferral
RhoGAM – 6-week deferral
Birth Control – no deferral
Vaginal Yeast Infection – no deferral
Breast Cancer – 1-year deferral following therapy

Propecia (for baldness) – 30-day deferral
Men who have had sexual contact with another man – See Updated Donor Eligibility FAQ
Prostate Cancer – 1-year deferral following therapy
Testosterone Therapy – Varies. Call our center for specific information.

See Updated Donor Eligibility FAQ

See Updated Donor Eligibility FAQ

For more than 24 hours – 3 month to 3 year deferral

Aseptic and performed by licensed acupuncturist or under direct M.D. supervision – no deferral

Injected drugs not prescribed by your doctor – 3 month deferral

Had sexual contact with someone who has injected drugs not prescribed by their doctor – 3 month deferral

Been incarcerated 72 hours or longer – 1 year deferral

Ear (sterile gun) – no deferral
Body (performed by qualified personnel using single use equipment and aseptic technique) – no deferral

Received money or drugs in exchange for sex – 3 month deferral

No deferral if performed using sterile equipment at licensed establishment in Tennessee or Kentucky
All other states – 3 month deferral

MEDIC requires any donor who is 16 to have parental consent to donate. Click here for the parental consent form.