How to Identify an Unknown Pill: Signifiers and Pill Identifier Apps

Updated 12/11/2024

Have you just picked up your prescription and want to confirm the pharmacist dispensed the correct drug? Perhaps you’re caring for an elderly parent and need to know you’re giving them the right pills at different times of the day. In some cases, you may come across an unknown pill on the street or even in your mailbox.

Whatever the scenario, learning how to use a pill identifier to recognize a pill can keep you and your loved ones safe—especially at a time when potentially deadly fentanyl pills are popping up all over the country. In many cases, it’s possible to use the following free pill identifiers to determine the exact type of pill you are holding. If ever in doubt, do not take the pill. Instead, speak with your pharmacist or doctor first to get a professional opinion.

Many people are on multiple medications, there are errors even at the best of pharmacies, there are changes in manufacturers which have different pills, and when we find a pill and are not sure, it is best to be able to confirm what you are taking.  The pill ID from your prescription bottle (a description should be given), an online resource, or your pharmacist or health care provider are valuable tools.

When Would You Need to Identify a Pill?

There are various situations in which you may find yourself needing to ID a pill for safety reasons:

• Finding a pill in a child’s room or on the street
• Caring for an elderly relative or administering medication for a sick friend
• Cleaning up a spill in your bathroom or medicine cabinet
• When picking up a prescription drug from a new pharmacy to confirm it’s correct
• Placing your pills in an organizer or travel container

No matter what the circumstances, there may come a time when it’s lifesaving to identify a pill correctly. Here’s how to identify medicine and pharmaceutical pills when they’re not in a marked container.

What Are The Risks of Consuming an Unknown Pill?

It may seem like common sense, but you should never consume a pill unless you can identify it. Depending on what the unknown pill is, it could interact with other medications in your system. You also could experience unpleasant side effects that may be hazardous. This may occur if it’s a medication that’s unsafe for you to take, such as due to a preexisting condition.

For some individuals, certain medications are dangerous because of their existing medical conditions. In extreme cases, consuming an unknown pill may lead to significant health consequences or even death.

What to Do If You Can’t Identify a Pill

If you can’t identify it, bring it to your doctor or pharmacy to get a professional opinion. It’s critical to have a clear determination of what you’re dealing with. If you decide not to take the pill you can’t identify, don’t throw it away or flush it down the toilet. Medication needs to be properly disposed of so animals or children don’t accidentally consume it at a later date.

It may seem harmless to flush a pill down the toilet, but you must remember that flushed drugs can make their way into public water supplies. This includes groundwater and nearby lakes and streams; water filtration systems may not remove all chemicals found in water, meaning your medication may eventually impact someone else. Medications on the FDA’s flush list are exceptions that can’t be safely stored at home or taken to a collector. Fentanyl patches are one example.

How to Safely Dispose of Unused Medications

The FDA provides suggestions for the safe disposal of unused medications. These include:

• Take-back programs offered by authorized DEA collectors
• Disposing of a ground-up medication mixed into dirt or coffee grounds — it should be sealed in a container or plastic bag
• Recycling facilities — for inhalers or empty pill bottles

If you follow the steps on the second bullet point, the container or sealed bag can be thrown in the trash. Once you’ve identified an unknown pill, be sure to follow the FDA guidelines for its proper use or safe disposal.

Learn the Signifiers of Pills

Provided the pill isn’t counterfeit, it’s fairly straightforward to identify a pill based on three components:

• Shape
• Color
• Pattern

Pattern refers to whether the pill is lined, two-toned, speckled or has other unique visual features. These attributes may separate it from another that is of the same shape and color. Every legal pill also has a unique ID. The pill identifier is a combination of letters and numbers on the pill itself.

Identify Pills by Imprint Code

Looking to identify a pill by imprint code? There are several databases that can look up specific pill imprints, shapes and colors.

• Medscape (Our recommendation, with photos and easy-to-use UI)

Use Free Pill Identifier Apps

Use the information you gain from examining the pill and identifier. Then, go online and use a free pill identifier by imprint code tool to determine which medication you’re dealing with.

Once you’re on a site that’s FDA-approved to identify pills, you’ll be prompted to put in some information about the pill in question. This may include identifying its shape or color or inputting the pill identifier by code (sometimes called an imprint). The best way to do this is to start by typing in the imprint code. Then, select the color and shape that best match the pill you have in front of you.

After inputting the drug information, you should be given a list of search results to choose from. The list contains all FDA-approved pills that match your description. You’ll be able to view photos of the pills to reference as a comparison with your own. Read the names of each one and what they’re used for to help you narrow it down.

If your search doesn’t yield results, consider checking the pill’s identifier code again and retyping it. With such a small font, it’s easy to misread or make mistakes when inputting the letters and numbers.

What are the Best Free Pill Identifier Apps?

Some of the most reputable online imprint code pill identifier resources are:

RXResource.org

What makes the RxResource Pill Identification Tool one of the most reputable pill identifiers?

The RxResource Pill Identification Tool is a reliable assistant for individuals seeking to identify various pills based on distinct characteristics such as imprint, shape, color, and scoring. This tool is particularly beneficial for those who have multiple medications and must accurately distinguish between them.

The website offers a straightforward interface where users can input specific details about a pill to find pertinent information. Moreover, it encourages users to report any negative side effects of prescription drugs to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ensuring a community-driven approach to safe medication usage.

Furthermore, the tool emphasizes educational purposes, offering general drug information to users. Notably, most images available via this tool are not yet part of the official drug labeling and have not been verified by the manufacturer/labeler. Therefore, users are advised to consult with their physician or pharmacist for any medication-related queries, promoting responsible and informed usage of the tool.

However, the website could enhance its credibility by incorporating verified images and information from manufacturers or labelers, ensuring users can access accurate and reliable data. Additionally, the tool might benefit from a more extensive database that includes a broader range of medications, including over-the-counter drugs, to serve a wider audience.

Key Benefits

• User-friendly interface for easy pill identification based on various characteristics.
• Encourages users to report negative side effects to the FDA, fostering a community of responsible medication usage.
• Areas for Improvement
• Provides general drug information for educational purposes, helping users to be informed about their medications.
• Incorporation of verified images and information from manufacturers or labelers to enhance reliability.
• Additional features such as a mobile app version for convenient access on the go.
• Expanding the database to include a broader range of medications, catering to a wider audience.

RxList

What makes the RxList Pill Identifier Tool one of the most reputable pill identifiers?

The RxList Pill Identifier Tool is a comprehensive solution for individuals needing assistance identifying various pills, prescription, OTC, generic, or brand names. The tool’s intuitive design allows users to quickly identify drugs and medications using pill-identifying pictures. By inputting specific details such as the imprint, color, or shape of a pill, users are presented with images to review and match their medication.

A unique perspective is provided by Dr. John P. Cunha, who emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying medications. He shares insights from his experiences in the emergency room, highlighting the common problem of patients taking the wrong medication or dosage. The tool is not just a database; it’s a means to ensure patient safety and awareness. The RxList Pill Identifier Tool goes beyond just identification; it educates users about the significance of each medication, its intended use, and potential side effects.

However, while the tool offers a plethora of information, users are always advised to consult with their healthcare professionals if they are unsure or don’t find a match. This ensures that the tool is used responsibly and as a supplementary source of information.

Key Benefits

• Comprehensive database that includes prescription, OTC, generic, and brand name pills.
• User-friendly interface with clear instructions on how to use the tool effectively.
• Provides educational insights from a doctor’s perspective, emphasizing the importance of correct medication identification.
• Links to detailed descriptions, drug pictures, and images in the RxList Drug Database for a more in-depth understanding.

Areas for Improvement

• While the tool provides vast information, it could benefit from more user testimonials or reviews to enhance trustworthiness.
• Integration of a feature that allows users to upload a photo of their pill for more accurate identification.
• Expansion of the database to include lesser-known or newly introduced medications.

Medscape Pill Identifier

What makes the Medscape Pill Identifier one of the most reputable pill identifiers?

Medscape’s Pill Identifier stands out as a comprehensive tool designed to assist medical professionals and the general public in identifying various medications. Whether they are generic, brand-name prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, or even supplements, this tool offers a robust database to cater to these needs. The user-friendly interface allows individuals to search for medications based on various criteria, including imprint, color, shape, form, and scoring, making the identification process seamless.

One of the standout features of Medscape’s Pill Identifier is its commitment to providing detailed information once a medication is selected. Users can verify the drug name, strength, and specific pill characteristics and gain access to crucial data such as drug dosing, interactions, adverse effects, and warnings. This holistic approach ensures that users are well-informed about their medications, promoting safe and informed usage.

However, while the pill identifier tool is undoubtedly comprehensive, it might benefit from integrating user testimonials or reviews, enhancing its credibility and trustworthiness among users. Additionally, including visual aids, such as images or diagrams, could further simplify user identification.

Key Benefits

• Comprehensive database covering generic, brand name prescription drugs, OTCs, and supplements.
• Detailed information on selected medications, including dosing, interactions, adverse effects, and warnings.
• Intuitive search criteria allow users to identify pills based on imprint, color, shape, form, and scoring.

Areas for Improvement

• Integration of user testimonials or reviews to enhance credibility.
• Inclusion of visual aids or images for a more straightforward identification process.
• Expansion of the database to include lesser-known or newly introduced medications.

CVS Pill Identifier

What makes the CVS Pill Identifier one of the most reputable pill identifiers?

CVS, a renowned name in the pharmacy sector, offers a Pill Identifier tool designed to provide users with comprehensive drug information. The tool is designed to be user-friendly, allowing individuals to search for a drug by its name or NDC number. This approach ensures that users can quickly and efficiently access the information they need, similar to the printout attached to a medication refill, but in a digital format.

The CVS Pill Identifier tool is more than just a database; it’s an extension of CVS’s commitment to ensuring that its customers have access to reliable and accurate medication information. Given CVS’s reputation in the healthcare industry, users can trust the information provided by the tool. It reflects the company’s dedication to promoting safe medication usage and informed decision-making.

However, the information provided on the webpage is limited, and it would be beneficial to see more detailed features of the tool, such as visual aids, user reviews, or a more extensive database covering a broader range of medications.

Key Benefits

• User-friendly interface that allows users to search for drugs by name or NDC number.
• Digital format provides easy access to comprehensive drug information.
• Backed by the reputation and trustworthiness of CVS, a leading name in the pharmacy sector.

Areas for Improvement

• Integration of visual aids or images to simplify the identification process.
• Inclusion of user testimonials or reviews to enhance credibility and user trust.
• Expansion of the database to cover a broader range of medications, including lesser-known or newly introduced drugs.

If you still can’t determine what you have, don’t consume the medication.

What are the Most Commonly Searched Pill IDs?

In the realm of pharmaceuticals, several pills consistently top the list of most commonly searched items. Vicodin, a potent pain reliever that combines hydrocodone and acetaminophen, often garners significant attention. It is prescribed to manage moderate to severe pain but is also associated with misuse due to its opioid component.

Other frequently searched pills include Xanax, utilized for its calming effects in treating anxiety and panic disorders, and Adderall, a medication often prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Moreover, individuals frequently search for information on statins like Lipitor, which are used to manage cholesterol levels and promote heart health.

As people continue to seek information on these medications, it’s vital to encourage responsible use and to consult with healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice.

Support For Medication Addictions

Are you struggling with pill identification in your home due to a prescription medication addiction or abuse problem? At FHE Health, our compassionate team of healthcare professionals may be able to help. Together, we can develop a treatment plan to help you get your life back on track. Call us today at (833) 596-3502 to find out more.