How to Identify a Non-Prescription Pill

With thousands of different pills available, it is difficult to identify a pill just by looking at it. When a pill gets separated from its original container, there is little way to tell if the pill is a prescription or nonprescription medication, what type of dosage is in the pill or if the pill is safe. Several resources can help identify a pill, including talking to a pharmacist, nurse or doctor or doing a search on an online pill identifier. Not every pill can be easily identified, especially vitamin and supplement pills.

Instructions

• 1

  Pills have a wide variety of shapes, colors and imprinted information.

  Identify any characteristics of the pill. Important characteristics include the shape, the color and any numbers or letters imprinted on the pill. The numbers or letters imprinted on the pill signify the medication and dosage. Medical professionals and pill identifier sites use the imprinted code to help determine the pill's identity. The shape and color can vary by manufacturer but help verify the pill's origin.

• 2

  Pharmacists study the interactions and safety of different medications and supplements.

  Talk to your pharmacist, doctor or nurse. These medical professionals have access to drug books and databases that help identify pills of all types. Take the pill to the medical professional if you are having trouble reading the imprint so that he can read it and better identify the pill. Pharmacists have more experience finding the identity of a pill due to the nature of their work and will often be more accessible than a doctor. The pharmacist also is often a good first choice because she can tell you if the pill substance can cause problems based on your current medical conditions and medications.

• 3

  Navigate to one of the pill identifier websites listed in the Resources if the medical professional was unable to identify the pill. Each of these sites identifies both prescription and nonprescription pills. Enter all characteristics of the pill and submit the information. If one site can't identify the pill, use a different site.

• 4

  Dispose of any pills that are unidentifiable. It is unsafe to take pills if you do not know the content. Some nonprescription pills can cause complications for certain medical conditions or negative interactions with medications being taken.