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How to Identify Medications by Pill Type

Friday, November 06, 2009
 

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • Unidentified pill
  • Internet access
  • Access to local pharmacy

How to Identify Medications By Pill Type

  • Step 1:
    All medications are imprinted with markings of numbers, letters or a combination of both. Note the imprints on each side of the unidentified pill.
  • Step 2:
    Evaluate the shape of the pill. Determine if it is round, elliptical, rectangular or capsule-shaped, for example.
  • Step 3:
    Observe the pill color. It could be white, yellow, orange, pink, blue or a variety of other colors. Color is important because it usually determines the dosage of the pill.
  • Step 4:
    Point your internet browser to either of the following websites. (See References.)

    RxList Pill Identification Tool

    Drugs.com Pill Identifier
  • Step 5:
    Input the imprint, color and shape into the pill identification wizard. After submitting, the website will present you with a picture of the identified pill and information on the medication.

Tips & Warnings

  • If the above websites present you with a picture of a pill that does not match your unidentified pill, or if the medication information does not match a medication you have been prescribed, bring the unidentified pill to a local pharmacy.The pharmacist can definitively ID the pill.
  • Until a pill has been identified, do not ingest it.
  • If the pill has degraded to an unidentifiable point, do not ingest it.

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