Show Notes:

Overseen by various regulatory agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the plasma donation process is performed in a highly controlled, aseptic environment by professionally trained staff, including oversight by onsite licensed medical professionals.

Your plasma is collected in a sterile disposable closed system ensuring no contamination. In addition, highly regulated cleaning protocols ensure the process is safe.

How to Give Plasma

While each center has a specific process, it's a good idea to do these things before you donate plasma. Ask the donation center if they want you to do anything else to prepare for your visit.

Before Your Donation

Find a plasma donation center by searching online for "plasma donation near me" or on the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)

General Eligibility Requirements

Donor eligibility varies. Check with the facility to determine their specific requirements, but generally plasma donors should:

• Be 18 years of age or older,
• Weigh at least 110 pounds,
• Pass a medical exam and complete an extensive medical screening, including testing negative for hepatitis and HIV,
• Not have gotten a tattoo or piercing within the last 4 months, and
• Follow a recommended diet.

Potential Side Effects

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates plasma collection in the United States. For most people, donating plasma does not cause any side effects, but some donors can experience fatigue, bruising, bleeding, or dehydration. Additionally, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. While not typical, fainting can also occur. It's rare, but more serious infections or reactions can occur, which can be treated.

If you experience severe symptoms, contact a doctor immediately. If you experience general side effects, it can help to rest, drink more water, and eat more iron-rich foods. For dizziness or fainting, lie down or sit with your head between your knees. For bleeding, raise your arm, apply pressure, then place a bandage over the area for several hours.

Studies conducted on plasma donation:

STUDY CONFIRMS THAT FREQUENCY OF SOURCE PLASMA DONATION AS REGULATED BY U.S. FDA DOES NOT IMPAIR DONOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

The effect of plasmapheresis on blood pressure in voluntary plasma donors

Prospective multicentre study of the effect of voluntary plasmapheresis on plasma cholesterol levels in donors