Medication FAQ's

What forms are required for medications at school (and/or on field trips) ?

• All medication to be given during the school day must be accompanied by a Medication Request form. (or Spanish: Medication Request form)
• A separate form is required for each medication. 
• A new form is required at the beginning of each school year and any time medication dosages are changed. 
• Visit the forms page for additional forms related to specific health conditions and medications. 
• **If medication needs to be given (or available) during a school trip and the medication is not already on file with the school nurse (such as when departure time occurs before the start of the school day), this activity/trip medication form should be completed.  

What medication can be given at school?

• Only those medications which cannot be given outside of school hours will be given. 
• Herbal substances and dietary supplements will not be administered in the school setting unless ordered by a physician and required as part of the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or section 504 plan.
• The school will not administer expired medications or medication at a dosage that exceeds the recommended maximum dosage listed in available drug references.
• Metered dose inhalers (MDI) are preferred over nebulized treatments in the school setting.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

• Parent-provided nonprescription medication from the District-approved list (below) may be administered with a parent’s written request form for up to ten doses (no more than 5 consecutive days of administration) before a physician's signature is required.
• All other nonprescription medications may be administered in the school clinic with a parent's signature on the Medication Request form for up to 10 school days from the date of the request.
  • If the same medication is needed at school again later in the school year (after the 10-day period following the original request), a physician's signature will be required. Once a physician's signature is received for the medication, it may be kept in the school clinic for the student's use for the remainder of the school year, or until it is discontinued by the parent or provider, whichever is earlier. 
• School personnel must administer OTC medications according to the age/weight instructions on the package/bottle, or per physician orders when provided.

District-Approved List of Nonprescription ("Stock") Medications

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Ibuprofen (Advil; Motrin)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Menthol cough drops/throat lozenges
• Calcium Carbonate chewable tablets (Tums)

*Upon school enrollment, the parent/guardian is given the opportunity to electronically consent to the administration of the above medications in accordance with Board policy. In the event that the parent/guardian did not give consent during enrollment but later desires to do so, a written medication request form must be completed for each medication the parent would like to issue consent. Verbal consent is not acceptable for medication administration.

• PISD school clinics maintain a limited supply of these District-approved nonprescription medications.  Stock medications are intended for unexpected situations and when no parent-provided nonprescription medication has been provided.
  • If a child needs access to these medications on a regular basis, the parent is responsible for providing the medication to the school for the child. 
• Stock medications may only be given after assessment by the registered nurse & an appropriate attempt to relieve symptoms with a non-pharmacologic method, for up to ten doses, in accordance with standing orders by the District’s medical advisor.

 How should medication be transported to and from school?

• For student safety, parents/guardians should transport all medication to and from school. Do NOT send medication in student lunches.
• Controlled medications will be counted upon arrival at the clinic. Documentation of the counts will be made with the parent and PISD staff.
• Any unused, discontinued, or expired medication will be disposed of at the end of the school year or 2 weeks after the last prescribed dose if not picked up from the clinic by the parent.
• The school will accept no more than a 30-day supply of prescription medication at a time.

Acceptable containers and labeling for medication

• All medication brought to school, including over-the-counter medication, is required to be in the original, properly labeled container. Medications brought to school outside of their original container will not be administered. If there is a change in the prescribed dosage, a new pharmacy label must be obtained for the medication bottle.
• The pharmacy label must correspond with the information completed by the parent on the Medication Request form (student name, dose(s) due, administration time(s), route, etc.).

Where are the medications kept while at school?

• All medications will be kept in a locked cabinet in the school clinic*. The school nurse, health aide, and PISD personnel designated by the principal and trained to administer medications will distribute all medications.
  • During field trips, medications are secured with a designated staff member. Students are not permitted to self-carry or self-administer medications except as provided below.
  • *Emergency anaphylaxis medications are stored in a secure, but unlocked location per Texas DSHS recommendation

• A student may self-carry and self-administer an inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector only after a Parent/Physician Request for Self-Administration form has been completed by the parent and the physician. This form is required to be renewed each school year.
  • When self-carrying an approved inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector, the medication must be properly labeled with the student's prescription label.
  • PISD reserves the right to revoke self-carry permission if the student cannot safely or properly carry or administer the medication.
  • Students found self-carrying other medications may be subject to disciplinary action.

*The information on this page addresses parent frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding medication administration in Prosper ISD.  Please contact your school nurse for assistance with any additional questions related to medications at school. For a detailed copy of the complete Prosper ISD Medication Guidelines, please contact the school nurse.