Platelet Donation Anticoagulant

[echokilo]

Does anyone know the name of the anticoagulant used for platelet donors?

[bednobs]

the donors have to take an anti coagulant? I'm surprised at that

[Sqad]

No idea...it is only mixed with your blood as it enters the machine to stop the blood clotting. A little of the anticoagulant may be returned to you....but only a small part.

name of it?....no idea. a guess?...Heparin.

[echokilo]

No, Bednobs, not taken orally - is within the system as Sqad says, but a little does go back with the return cycles ..... it makes your lips tingle!!!

[bednobs]

wiki tells me it's citrate

[Sqad]

echo....citrate does seem a better answer than mine..:-(

[echokilo]

Thanks both of you ..... I will Wiki it and find out more x

[LazyGun]

sodium citrate is used as the anticoagulant of choice in platelet apherisis.

Well known side effect of returning some of that anticoagulant to the donor is tingling lips and/or a metallic taste. Can often get calcium tablets to help counter that effect.

[echokilo]

Thanks LazyGun - perfect!