From the Research
Donating plasma is generally safe for most healthy individuals, but it can cause some temporary side effects, and to minimize these risks, donors should prioritize hydration, nutrition, and follow the guidelines set by the donation center, as supported by the most recent study 1. When donating plasma, individuals may experience fatigue, dehydration, dizziness, or lightheadedness immediately after donation due to fluid loss. Some donors develop bruising, soreness, or minor bleeding at the needle insertion site. The procedure involves removing whole blood, separating the plasma, and returning red blood cells to your body, which takes about 1-2 hours. To minimize adverse effects, it is recommended to:
- Drink plenty of water before and after donating
- Eat a nutritious meal beforehand
- Avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day
- Maintain adequate protein intake, as plasma contains important proteins While rare, some people may experience more serious reactions like severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or allergic reactions to the anticoagulant used during collection. Most plasma donation centers limit donations to twice per week with at least one day between sessions to allow your body to recover properly, as seen in studies such as 2 and 3. It is essential to note that citrate-related hypocalcemia is a common adverse event linked with peripheral blood progenitor cell apheresis, and oral calcium supplementation may help mitigate these reactions, as discussed in 1. However, the most recent and highest-quality study 1 suggests that preemptive oral calcium intake before peripheral blood progenitor cell apheresis is not wholly effective, but providing calcium-rich beverages to symptomatic donors may stave off symptom intensification. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the guidelines set by the donation center and prioritize individual health and safety when donating plasma.