How to Identify Pills by Inscription

The pharmaceutical industry is a billion-dollar business. There are more over-the-counter and prescription pills on the market than any one person could take in a lifetime. Many homes have several types of medications, and it is easy for a pill to escape a bottle. If you find loose unidentified pills, you should try to identify them before taking them. Follow the steps below to positively identify any unidentified pill by its identifying characteristics.

Instructions

• 1

  Inspect the unidentified pill carefully. Take note of the identifying characteristics, including color, size and shape. Many pills have imprints or inscriptions on them. Look for letters, number or logos.

• 2

  Compare the unidentified pill to any pills you may have in your home or office. It is possible that they just fell out of one of the bottles of medicines you already own. Also, check with anyone who has been in the area. The unidentified pills may have been separated from their medicine bottles.

• 3

  Use a pill identifier tool to input the identifying characteristics of the unidentified pill. (See resources.) Consider just putting in the inscription on the pill. That will often lead you to the pharmaceutical company that made the unidentified pill.

• 4

  Ask your health provider for help. You doctor's office can often help you with unidentified pills. They have professional references and resources that you may not have access to. You can also try your local pharmacist. The staff at both of these locations is often knowledgeable about pharmaceuticals. Be sure to bring the unidentified pill or the information about the pill's identifying characteristics.

• 5

  If none of the steps listed above can help you identify the pills, they may be from another country, not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or illegal. Dispose of the unidentified pill immediately.