Going to School with Medication

Your child may need to take medicine while at school. Parents or guardians, the care team, and school staff all play an important role in making sure your child receives medicine safely and correctly.

The goal is to make sure that:

• Your child receives the correct dose of medicine at the correct time.
• School staff follow dosing instructions closely.
• There is good communication, and everyone is informed about any problems or changes. 

Discuss return to school with the care team

Talk with your health care provider and pharmacist to limit the medicines your child takes at school, if possible.

Learn the purpose of each medicine, dosing instructions, and possible side effects. Some side effects can cause challenges at school. Your care team can help you plan for managing side effects. Rest breaks, special bathroom or eating permissions, or classroom learning accommodations can help.

Meet with school staff

As soon as you know that your child will need medicine at school, meet with the school staff. Make sure that you discuss:

• Who will give medicines to your child
• Medicine instructions including dose, schedule, and storage information
• How the school keeps track of when and how medicines are given
• School policies and requirements

Learn school policies for medicines

Each school has different policies. In the United States, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act protects students with disabilities at federally funded schools. However, this law primarily addresses long-term health needs, rather than short-term medical needs or medications.

Laws for medications in schools are set by each state. State laws vary on requirements for school nurses, who can give medicines, and staff training. The school district creates and follows medication policies.

Questions to ask about school medication policies

• Who will oversee my child’s medicines at school?
• What forms and documentation are needed for each medicine?
• How are school staff trained to give medicines?
• How and where are medicines stored at school?
• How is medication administration documented by school staff?
• How will I be notified if there is a problem, error, or missed dose? What action steps will be taken if a parent can’t be reached?
• What happens if my child has trouble taking the medicine? 

Document and give consent for each medicine

Schools require parents or guardians to document each medicine to be given at school. This process usually includes written consent from a parent or guardian to give the medicine at school. You may also need to provide a doctor’s authorization.  

The school usually has a specific medication authorization form. It should include key information:

• Child’s name
• Medicine name
• Dates to be given, including stop date if known
• Reason for taking the medicine
• Instructions for giving medicine
  • Dose
  • How to give medicine
  • Time or schedule
  • Special instructions such as taking the medicine with or without food
• Parent or guardian name and emergency contact information
• Doctor name and contact information

Parents or guardians should make sure this information is always up to date. Provide written updates for any changes, such as starting a new medicine, changing the dose, or stopping a medicine. If a medicine is stopped, provide clear instructions for returning the medicine or disposing of it safely.

Give clear instructions

Make sure that the school has the information and supplies to give medicines safely and correctly.

• Label all medicines clearly.
• Provide detailed instructions for each medicine.
• Inform staff of possible side effects or potential drug interactions.
• Let staff know about any medicine that your child should not receive. Some schools have over-the-counter medicines (such as acetaminophen, anti-inflammatories, or antihistamines) that may be given to any student.
• Tell staff if your child uses a patch, medical device, or pump for their medicine. 

Provide all medicines and supplies

A parent or guardian must provide medicines to school staff. Do not send medicine to school with your child. Give it directly to school staff.

Keep track of expiration dates and provide the school with new medicine and supplies when needed.

At the end of the school year, pick up unused medicines.

Plan for safe storage

It is important for families to know how medicines are stored at the school. Each school has a policy for the safe storage of medications.

• Ask your pharmacist about special storage requirements such as refrigeration, protection from light, or precautions. Be sure to clearly label storage instructions and share them with the school staff.
• Store all medicines in their original container, labeled by the pharmacy. The medication label must include:
  • Child’s name
  • Date
  • Medication name
  • Dose
  • Frequency
  • Route
  • Expiration date
  • Physician
  • Pharmacy

Ask your pharmacy to provide 2 labeled containers for each medication – one for home and one for school

Nonprescription or over-the-counter medicines should also be kept in their original container and labeled with your child’s name, dosing instructions, and reasons for use.

Do not mix medicines together or place them in bags or envelopes.

Teach your child about the medicine plan 

Make sure your child understands the medicine plan and can answer basic questions about their medicine and medical needs.

• Older children should know information, such as drug name, dosing instructions, and side effects.
• Younger children should know where they go to get their medicine at school and who will give it to them.
• All children should learn not to share medicines and only use them as told by a doctor or parent. 
• Identify an adult at school that your child can talk to if they have a problem or question. 

Plan for special circumstances

Student self-administration of medicines

Some schools may allow children to carry their own medicines and take them independently during the school day. To do this, your child will need to show that they can manage and take their medicine safely. In many cases, a health care provider will also need to approve this before the school will allow it.

Never allow a medicine that is considered a controlled substance to be carried or given by a child.

School staff should ensure that a record is kept of each dose to verify that the medicine is taken on time and in the correct amount.

Emergency medicines

Be sure that emergency medicines (such as inhalers, epinephrine, insulin, or glucose) can be given quickly when needed.

If your child is not able to take these medicines on their own, or if school rules do not allow students to carry them, the school should have clear policies and action plans in place.

These plans should ensure that your child’s emergency medicine is easy to access and can be given right away in case of an emergency.

Medicines on field trips or school events

Field trips can be a challenge for storing and giving medicines. Plan ahead for when and how the medicine will be given during field trips. Identify an adult who can help your child. Make sure that the medicine can be stored safely. When possible, work with your health care provider and pharmacist to see if a dose can be rescheduled.   

Teach your child’s friends about medicines

Include your child’s friends in age-appropriate education to help support your child. This is especially important for teens as they become more independent and take on more responsibility for their own medical care.

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