Aspirin and Blood Donation: The Sticky Truth

Aspirin affects how your platelets stick together to form clots. This makes it a critical medication to watch for donors.

Whole Blood vs Platelets

• Whole Blood: Generally Safe. You can donate whole blood because the platelets are a small part of the mix and will be diluted.
• Platelet Donation (Apheresis): Strictly Forbidden. If you donate only platelets, they must be functional. Aspirin disables them irreversibly for their lifespan (7-10 days).

Rule: No aspirin for 48 hours before platelet donation. For Whole Blood, you are good to go!