Pharmacy Drug Identification

Pharmacists can visually identify pills.

It is possible for a pharmacist or a Poison Control Center to identify drugs by their visual characteristics. Manufactured tablets and capsules can be visually identified to determine: medication name, manufacturer, and dosage strength. There are five observable characteristics used to identify medications.

Form

When identifying medication, it is important to differentiate between tablets and capsules. Tablets are compressed masses of medication. Capsules are gelatin shells containing powdered, granulated or liquid medication.

Shape

Tablets are usually solid and disc shaped but may be triangular, bullet shaped (caplets) or have a hollow center like a doughnut. Capsules are usually bullet shaped, but may also be round like a ball-bearing or pillow shaped.

Color

Color is a significant characteristic in drug identification which can be used to differentiate between pills of similar size and shape.

Text/Imprint

Most pills bear markings on their surface in the form of letters, numbers or company logos that are necessary for drug identification.

Score

A score is a depressed line through the middle of a tablet that is used to allow the tablet to be divided. A tablet may have more than one score. Capsules are never scored, and any seam on a capsule is not relevant in drug identification.

References

• Food & Drug Administration: Drug Identification