Medication At School

Medication Authorization Form

When a student requires daily or regular medication, parents must make every effort to give prescribed doses of the medication at home. It is recommended that parents consult with their doctor to see if midday medication can be adjusted and given at another time. Therefore, only medications (prescription, non-prescription and herbal) which are prescribed by a physician and which are essential for the student to remain in school shall be given during school hours.  ANY medication that is required at school must have a physician's order and parental consent.  This includes any over-the-counter medication (i.e. Tylenol, Zyrtec, eye drops, etc.) 

In order to have medication given at school, the following must be met:

• A Medication Authorization form must be completed by both the physician and parent.

• The medication must be brought to school by the parent in a current pharmacy container clearly marked with student's name, prescription number, medication name/dosage, administration route, date and refill, licensed prescriber's name and pharmacy address and phone number. Over-the- counter medication shall be in the original container with ingredients listed and child's name affixed to the container.

• Any dosing changes must be verified by a physician and a new order must be submitted.  

• Parents will be asked to pick up unused medication at the end of the school year or when medication is discontinued. Medications that are still in the health office on the last day of school will be disposed of properly.  Students are not able to transport medication to and from school.

Medication at home

If your child takes medication at home, please consider sharing this information with your school nurse.  Why? Medications can have different side effects on smaller bodies.  Sometimes they can impact a student's well-being at school.  As a nurse, we like to have the whole picture when evaluating a student and knowing what medications they take can impact our judgement on how to precede.   If your child has just started taking a new medication, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, please do not hesitate to give your nurse a phone call or send an e-mail.  This information is kept confidential.  

Safe disposal of medications 

Have you ever looked in your medicine cabinet at home and realized it is full of things you have not used in years?  While there are numerous reasons to dispose of unused medications (see below), it is very important that are disposed of properly.  

PROTECT YOUNG CHILDREN FROM ACCIDENTAL POISONINGS

Colorful pills and packaging can be attractive to young children. About 165 young children − or roughly four school bus loads of children − are seen in U.S. emergency rooms each day after getting into medications. Trips to the ER can easily be prevented!

KEEP MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE WRONG HANDS

Unused and readily accessible medicines have the potential to be misused and abused, especially by teens.  Prescription medications are the most commonly abused substance in the U.S.

PROTECT WATER QUALITY IN RIVERS AND STREAMS

Recent studies show that pharmaceuticals in rivers and streams, if present at high enough concentrations, can harm aquatic wildlife. When flushed down the drain, some medications are not completely removed by wastewater treatment plants. Proper disposal of unused medicine can help protect the environment.

LOCAL DROP OFF LOCATIONS FOR UNWANTED MEDICATIONS 

Police Departments:

• Addison

• Bensenville

• Bloomingdale

• Burr Ridge

• Carol Stream

• Clarendon Hills

• Downers Grove (please call first 630.434.5681)

• DuPage County Sheriff

• Elk Grove Village

• Elmhurst

• Glendale Heights

• Glen Ellyn

• Hanover Park

• Lemont

• Lisle

• Naperville (police and fire stations)

• Roselle

• Schaumburt

• West Chicago

• Wood Dale

• Woodridge

• Warrenville

Select Walgreen Stores:

• Aurora - 1221 N. Lake St.

• Downers Grove - 1000 Ogden Ave.

• Glen Ellyn - 324 Roosevelt Rd.

• Hanover Park - 7350 Barrington Rd.

• Naperville - 63 W. 87th St.

FDA: Safe Disposal of Medication      Illinois Environmental Protection Agency