Side Effects When Donating Plasma

Donating plasma is a noble act that helps save lives. The fact alone encourages many to become regular donors to make a difference in many people’s lives, even in a small way. If you feel the same, know your intentions will have good results. However, before visiting the nearest plasma donation center, you should know the potential risks and side effects of donating plasma.

Like regular blood donation, plasma donation is a safe procedure. However, consider the following:

Plasma constitutes about 55% of the total volume of whole blood.
The FDA-recommended extraction volumes range from around 700ml to 900ml, depending on the donor’s body weight and other qualifying factors.
The most common procedure for extracting plasma is plasmapheresis. It uses an apheresis machine that removes plasma from the donor’s bloodstream and returns the remaining blood components – red band white blood cells, antibodies, platelets and neutrophils – back to the donor’s body.

Given these factors, it is inevitable that donors will experience some side effects after donating.

This article discusses the common donating plasma side effects and tips on how donors can manage them after the procedure.

Common Side Effects of Donating Plasma

The risks and side-effects of donating plasma are minor, but the intensity depends on the donor’s built and physical condition. Body weight is a major factor: donors just beyond the minimum body weight requirement of 110 lbs are more likely to experience common side effects. However, if they are in excellent health, it should be easy for them to deal with the following side effects of plasma donation:

Dehydration: 700 to 900 milliliters may not seem like much, but that is a substantial amount in terms of body mass. The average adult has approximately 10 units or up to 1.5 gallons of blood in their body. Plasma constitutes over 50% of blood. If we do the Math, 700 to 900 milliliters is a substantial amount of liquid the body needs to replenish. This explains why dehydration is one of the most common donating plasma side effects.

Dizziness, Fainting and Fatigue: Plasma has a high concentration of essential nutrients and salts. This is why source plasma is very valuable and used for treating various diseases and formulating treatments. Since donating extracts a significant volume of plasma, the body becomes deprived of the nutrients it needs for different biological functions. So, just as the body needs to replenish lost liquids, it also needs to recover from the loss of nutrients. The recovery period when the body lacks essential nutrients manifests as dizziness, lightheadedness and fatigue.

Bruising and Bleeding: This is one of the risks and side effects of donating plasma that looks worse than it actually is. People who bruise easily may experience dull pain and develop a visible bruise on the injection site after the procedure. The area will initially feel warm and tender, then show a greenish-bluish tinge just underneath the skin. The donor may feel discomfort, but it is a minor and manageable side effect.

Rare Side Effects of Donating Plasma

There are rare occasions wherein some donors experience side effects that are a bit more serious than the ones listed above. Below are some examples:

Inflammation Due to Infection: This can happen if bacteria enters the puncture wound during or after the procedure.

Arterial Puncture: An experienced healthcare professional draws blood from a vein. However, there is a chance of accidentally puncturing an artery. If this happens, the technician must stop the procedure immediately and apply pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding.

Nerve Injury: On rare occasions, a technician might hit a nerve upon inserting or withdrawing the needle. It will instantly send a sharp pain down the donor’s arm and cause general weakness in that arm. The technician must stop the procedure immediately and tend the affected area with a cold compress.

Adverse Citrate Reactions: It is common practice to add citrate to the blood during plasmapheresis to prevent clotting. However, some people may react adversely to citrate and experience symptoms like a tingling in the fingers, nose or mouth, shortness of breath, shivering and abrupt change in the pulse rate.

How To Manage the Side Effects of Plasma Donation

The good news is that the side effects of donating plasma are highly manageable. Most will even fade within the day. As long as donors follow the healthcare professionals’ advice post-donation, they should be able to minimize any adverse reactions.

Follow these tips to manage the common and rare side effects of plasma donation:

Drink lots of water before and after donating.
Have a light meal or snack before donating.
Avoid doing any strenuous physical activity after the procedure.
If you feel numbness, tingling or bruising in the injection site, elevate the arm and apply a cold compress for the first 12-24 hours, followed by a warm compress.
If you feel dizzy afterward, ask a friend or family member to drive you home after donating. Alternatively, you can stay longer in the facility’s recuperation area.

Donating plasma is a rewarding experience for many. Minor side effects are common but manageable. As long as donors follow the recommended tips for managing their post-donation symptoms, they should recover quickly and be able to donate again soon.

If you want to donate plasma and help others in need, consider donating at ABO Plasma. We are a certified, independent donation center in Orem that provides quality source plasma to hospitals and pharmaceutical companies for treating diseases like liver disease, immune deficiency, bleeding disorders and cancer.