Frequently Asked Questions About Plasma Donation

It's recommended that you wait two to three days after donating plasma before you donate whole blood. And after you've donated a unit of whole blood, the recommendation is to wait eight weeks (56 days) before donating plasma.

If your deferral is of a permanent nature, we will let you know. Otherwise, the deferral time depends upon the reason for deferral. Before each plasma donation, you'll be given a health screening and medical interview. That's when we'll be able to determine if you're eligible to donate on that particular day.

Blood donation and plasma donation have many of the same FDA guidelines, so it's likely that if you're ineligible for one, you're ineligible for both. But in some rare instances you may be able to donate plasma even if you're not eligible to donate blood, so contact the Grifols plasma center closest to you to discuss your eligibility.

No, it's not. Plasma can differ in the kinds and amounts of antibodies it contains. If a donor has specific antibodies in sufficient quantities, he or she may be considered a special donor. People may also have unique blood types that make them special donors as well. Learn more about our Specialty Plasma Programs.

Donating plasma is a low-risk procedure with minimal or no adverse effects. Before donating, you'll receive information and instruction on the plasmapheresis process from Grifols plasma donation center team members. They will discuss the risks of adverse reactions, injuries and events that may occur during or after plasma donation, and they will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Contact your Grifols plasma donation center for more information.

Our health screenings include having a small blood sample taken from your finger, having your vital signs checked and being asked a series of questions. We conduct a screening every time you donate to make sure you are in general good health and meet the plasma donation criteria.

People who are disqualified from donating plasma are known as deferred donors. A prospective donor may be deferred at any point. Whether a person is deferred temporarily or permanently depends on the specific reason for disqualification. A permanently deferred donor is forever disqualified from donating plasma. Donors who are temporarily deferred will be told their names have been put on a deferral registry, which means they will not be able to donate until the temporary deferral period has expired. At that point in time, the donor may visit a Grifols plasma donation center to be re-entered into the system and become eligible to donate again. All eligible donors must satisfy all donation criteria and requirements.

Some of our plasma donation centers use Donor Doc^®, a computer-assisted self-interview application. This touch-screen kiosk will help you complete the mandatory health history questions prior to every donation. Additional Donor Doc^® info will be provided to you at your donation center. If your specific location doesn't have Donor Doc^®, your health history questions will be asked by one of our donor processor team members.

Staying hydrated and eating properly beforehand are important parts of a healthy plasma donation. Make sure your diet is high in protein, and avoid foods high in fat. Drink plenty of water or juice, and avoid alcohol and caffeine on the day before and the day of your donation.

Getting a good night's sleep before your donation and not smoking (for at least 30 minutes) before a donation are also important. Find out more about what to expect.

Similar to donating blood, you will be comfortably reclined during the donation. A needle will be placed into a vein in your arm and your blood collected into sterile equipment (that is used only once). The plasma is separated from the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, which are then returned to you through the same needle in your arm. At the end of the donation, you will be given fluids to help replace the plasma, and because your red blood cells are returned to you, you shouldn't feel weak or tired after donating. Feel free to bring a book or magazine to read or watch one of our TVs while you're donating.

There are many reasons you should donate plasma, but you only need one. Plasma is in high demand – and it cannot be created in a laboratory or synthetically produced. Knowing you've made a personal contribution toward improving the health of others is one of the most rewarding aspects of donating. Also, we know your time is valuable, so that's why we provide compensation for the time you spend donating.

Yes. Every donor must be screened for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C at each donation using nucleic amplified testing (NAT), a state-of-the-art method that tests for DNA particles of viruses. Each donation is tested using a serological test that looks for antibodies that the body produces in response to a virus. These screening tests are performed at Grifols laboratories and are not formal medical diagnosis tests.