From the Guidelines
If you are taking finasteride, you should not donate blood. Finasteride (commonly sold as Propecia or Proscar) is typically used to treat male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate. Blood donation centers generally defer individuals on finasteride because the medication could pose risks to certain blood recipients, particularly pregnant women. Finasteride can cause birth defects if a pregnant woman is exposed to it, as it affects hormone levels and can interfere with fetal development. Most blood donation centers require that you wait at least one month after your last dose of finasteride before donating blood. This waiting period allows the medication to clear from your system. If you're currently taking finasteride and wish to donate blood in the future, consult with your healthcare provider about potentially pausing the medication temporarily, though this should be done only under medical supervision as it may affect your treatment outcomes.
Key Considerations
- The primary concern with finasteride and blood donation is the potential risk to pregnant women who may receive the donated blood, as finasteride can cause birth defects 1.
- The American Medical Association policy on blood donor criteria supports the use of rational, scientifically based blood and tissue donation deferral periods that are fairly and consistently applied to donors according to their level of risk 1.
- Several medical organizations support deferral policy reform based on available scientific evidence and testing capabilities, but the specific guidelines for finasteride use and blood donation are not directly addressed in the provided evidence.
Recommendations
- Wait at least one month after your last dose of finasteride before donating blood to allow the medication to clear from your system.
- Consult with your healthcare provider about potentially pausing the medication temporarily if you wish to donate blood in the future, and discuss the potential risks and benefits of doing so.
- Be aware of the potential risks associated with finasteride and blood donation, particularly for pregnant women, and take steps to minimize these risks.
From the Research
Finasteride and Blood Donation
- There is no direct information in the provided studies regarding the safety of blood donation while taking finasteride 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies primarily focus on the efficacy and safety of finasteride in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its effects on prostate size, urinary symptoms, and disease progression.
- None of the studies mention blood donation as a consideration or a potential risk associated with finasteride use.
- Therefore, there are no research papers to assist in answering this question regarding the safety of giving blood while on finasteride.