Anticonvulsant therapy - Bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell

Essential information

Obligatory

Must not donate if:

Taken for epilepsy.

Discretionary

If used for treating bipolar disorder or chronic pain syndromes and the underlying condition is not a reason to exclude, accept.

Supporting information

See if relevant

• Epilepsy
• Mental health problems

Additional information

Faints following donation can lead to epileptiform convulsions due to a lack of oxygen reaching the brain. This could lead to a true epileptic fit in a person with a recent history of epilepsy.

It may also cause difficulties with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and/or employment in a person who has been free from fits for some time.

Reason for change:

Entry carried over from previous Edition.

Version details:

BM-DSG Edition 203 Release 02 (11 December 2007)