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 (must complete course as prescribed by doctor) and be symptom free. Full List.
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 11th day after the last symptoms, or the 11th 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.)
Herpes, HPV & Chlamydia – no deferral
Syphilis or Gonorrhea – 3-month deferral
HIV/AIDS – indefinite deferral
PrEp/PEP for HIV Prevention Information
Hepatitis since your 11th birthday – indefinite deferral
Household or sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis – 1 year 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 vaccine, Tetanus Booster, Flu (Shot or Mist), or Polio.
Hepatitis B – 3 week deferral
MMR – 4 week deferral
Meningitis – 1 day deferral
Shingrix or Zostavax (Shingles) – 4 week deferral
Anti-HPV – 1 day deferral
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 – 3-month deferral
Prostate Cancer – 1-year deferral following therapy
Testosterone Therapy – Varies. Call our center for specific information.
Spent 3 months cumulatively from 1980-1996 – Indefinite deferral
Spent 5 years or more from 1980 through 2001, in France and Ireland – Indefinite deferral
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 young donor consent form.