How to Find Information on Pill Identification

If you're uncertain about a stray pill in your medicine cabinet, purse or the pocket of your teenager's jeans, there are several ways to identify it. A variety of tools available online and at your public library make it fairly simple to identify prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications and supplements. Elderly people and those who take several different pills per day have an increased chance of confusing medications. Since some medications are taken on an "as-needed" basis, it's not uncommon to lose track of pills and their purposes.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Magnifying glass

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Instructions

Observations

• 1

  Drug identification websites ask you to describe the questionable pill in detail. You will be asked to carefully observe the markings, shape, color and type of pill, whether it's a tablet, capsule or caplet. Pharmacies often substitute a generic version for the brand name medication that you've been taking. You may be accustomed to swallowing a small, pink caplet with a certain marking on it, and then be surprised when your prescription refill changes into a blister pack of large, two-toned tablets with a different marking. In such cases, pill identification resources can determine whether the pills are a generic substitute or the wrong medication.

• 2

  The most definitive tool for identifying a pill is the marking or imprint on a tablet, capsule or caplet. The marking can be a graphic logo or alpha and numeric characters (numbers and letters) on one or both sides of a pill. A pill imprint or engraving can be more difficult to determine and you may need a magnifying glass to clearly see it. Some pills show a different letter or number when turned upside down. For example, the marking may appear as W9 from one perspective, and 6M when turned around. If you remain confused after consulting a pill identifier, contact your pharmacy or doctor.

• 3

  Pills come in a variety of shapes, which further help distinguish one from another. Correctly describing the shape of a pill is an important step in the identification process. Common pill shapes include round, oblong, oval, triangular, square, rectangular, diamond, half circle, teardrop and scalloped. There are also pills shaped with three, four, five, six, seven or eight sides, and others with unusual shapes.

• 4

  Pills are made in many different colors and shades. Among the most common colors are white, off-white, tan, pink, peach, yellow, red, orange, green, blue, purple, black, brown, gray and clear. Some pills have two colors; one half of a capsule may be white while the other half is blue. Pill identification sites include color charts that help you determine pill colors.

• 5

  Pills are easier to cut in half if they are scored.

  When a pill is scored, it has an indentation or recess -- usually a straight line -- for cutting a pill in half or dividing it into equal parts. A scored pill is easier to split and also helps distinguish it. You can save money on some prescriptions if your doctor prescribes a higher dose with instructions to cut the pills in half.