You can donate blood while taking Suboxone. The American Red Cross maintains a detailed list of medications that could disqualify your donation. Suboxone and its two ingredients (buprenorphine and naloxone) are not included on the list.[1]

Your blood donation is critical. About 29,000 units of red blood cells are used every day in the United States.[2] Your donation could save a life.

There are many regulations about who can donate blood. There are certain medical conditions that preclude someone from donating blood, however Suboxone use is not one of them. People taking Suboxone are eligible to donate blood.

Factors That Disqualify You From Blood Donation

Medical teams will ask you plenty of questions before you donate blood.

You could be ineligible to donate blood if you are any of the following:[3]

• Too young: You must be at least 17 years old to donate blood without a parent’s consent.
• Getting treatment for cancer: You must wait a year after completing cancer treatment before considering donation. Some types of cancer (including lymphoma) could render you ineligible for longer.
• Exposed to HIV/AIDS: If you’ve been in contact with someone but didn’t get the virus, you should wait three months. If you have HIV/AIDS, you’re not eligible.
• Recovering from surgery: Your body needs time to heal, and typically, you’re not eligible to give blood for several months or up to a year, depending on the type of surgery you had.
• Pregnant: You should wait for six weeks after pregnancy to donate blood.
• Certain diseases: Leukemia, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, lymphoma, HIV, and other illnesses could render you ineligible.

Don’t worry about memorizing all of these rules and restrictions. Your donation team will help you understand if you’re a good candidate. And if you can’t donate now, you can always return and try again later.

Medications That Might Disqualify You From Donating Blood

Some medications linger in your blood, and they could hurt someone who receives your blood. Suboxone won’t disqualify you, but other drugs might.

You’re typically ineligible to donate blood if you’re taking any of the following:[4]

• Blood thinners or antiplatelets: If you’ve had a stroke, heart attack, or stroke, your doctor might use medications to help your blood flow freely without clots. If you’re using these therapies now, you might not be eligible.
• Some acne medications: Drugs like Accutane could make you ineligible to donate blood.
• Some cancer drugs: If you’re using medications to address multiple myeloma or skin cancer, your therapies could make your blood unsafe to donate.
• Hair loss remedies: Propecia and other hair loss medications might make you ineligible to donate blood.
• Prostate treatments: Some therapies to shrink the prostate or ease symptoms render you ineligible.
• HIV therapies: Medications in the PEP, PrEP, and ART classes make your blood unusable.
• Multiple sclerosis drugs: Some therapies for people with the recurring form of this disease make blood unusable.
• Psoriasis therapies: Medications to help your skin could make you ineligible to donate.
• Hepatitis treatments: Some medications render you ineligible to donate blood.
• Immunosuppressants: Some drugs that depress your immune system make you ineligible to donate.

Rules may vary state by state. If you have specific questions, just ask!

The Bottom Line: Can You Donate Plasma if You Take Suboxone?

Yes. Suboxone should NOT disqualify you from being able to donate blood.

Sources

1. Eligibility Criteria: Alphabetical. American Red Cross. https://www.biolifeplasma.com/become-a-donor/eligibility. Accessed November 2022.
2. Importance of the Blood Supply. American Red Cross. https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help/blood-needs-blood-supply.html. Accessed November 2022.
3. Donor Eligibility Guidelines. ImpactLife. https://www.bloodcenter.org/donate/donor/requirements-faq/. Accessed November 2022.
4. Medications That May Delay Your Donation. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. https://www.mskcc.org/about/get-involved/donating-blood/medications. Accessed November 2022.
5. The Importance of Plasma in Blood. American Red Cross. https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/plasma-information.html. Accessed November 2022.
6. Donor Eligibility. DonatingPlasma.org. https://www.donatingplasma.org/who. Accessed November 2022.
7. Are You Eligible to Donate Plasma with BioLife? BioLife. https://www.biolifeplasma.com/become-a-donor/eligibility. Accessed November 2022.

The prescription medications Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) and Prozac (fluoxetine) can interact and cause health issues. Never take these two medications together without checking with your doctor first.

While Suboxone and Prozac can cause interactions, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says doctors should approach the issue with care.[7] In the past, some doctors withheld medications like Suboxone in people taking drugs like Prozac. The FDA says the damages associated with untreated opioid use disorder (OUD) are so high that the benefits of combined medications may outweigh the risks. This is especially true because depression is very common among people with OUD, and it is important to treat both conditions in that case.

What Are Prozac & Suboxone?

Before taking any prescription medication, ensure that you understand why it’s prescribed and how it works. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure.

Here’s what you should know about both Prozac and Suboxone:

Prozac

Fluoxetine (or Prozac) is an antidepressant used to treat a variety of conditions, such as these:[2]

• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bulimia
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Panic disorder

Prozac belongs to a group of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluoxetine works by increasing the time that serotonin (a special communicating chemical called a neurotransmitter) stays active in the nerves within your central nervous system.

Suboxone

Suboxone contains two ingredients: buprenorphine and naloxone.[3] When combined, they treat opioid use disorder (OUD).

What Is Serotonin Syndrome?

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved with regulating behavior, mood, memory and core body functions. Medications like Prozac work directly on the serotonin system, and sometimes, they cause problems.[8]

High levels of serotonin can cause serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening. Experts say the true incidence of serotonin syndrome is unknown, as most cases are mild and easily overlooked. Even serious cases might be attributed to some other cause.[9]

However, it’s important to know what serotonin syndrome looks like, as combining Suboxone and Prozac can lead to increased risks.

Researchers say some opioids can increase serotonin levels.[8] Combining these drugs can lead to a buildup of the hormone, and it can cause difficult clinical signs.

Serotonin syndrome can be mild. Out of 46,000 calls to poison control centers due to SSRIs in 2011, only 11 of those cases resulted in death.[5]

However, just in case, you should understand the side effects of serotonin syndrome so you can call your doctor if symptoms appear.[6]

Signs & Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome

If you believe you are experiencing serotonin syndrome, you must call your doctor. Seek emergency services immediately if your symptoms are severe.

Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include the following:

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Disorientation
• Sweating
• High body temperature
• Fast heart rate
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Rigid, jerking or overactive muscles
• Dilated pupils
• Dry mucous membranes
• Flushed skin
• Increased bowel sounds

Doctors treat serotonin syndrome by discontinuing your medications and monitoring you until they improve.[4] With prompt care, your problems should fade. This syndrome is temporary and resolved once you discontinue the medications.

If you have any concerns about your medication interactions, talk with your doctor.

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