How to Identify a Pill by Its Number
Though most people take great precautions to keep their pharmaceuticals in well-labeled bottles, every once in a while an unidentified pill turns up in the bottom of a handbag, a piece of luggage or a cabinet drawer. There are a few ways to identify prescription pills. You can research the color and shape with an illustrated encyclopedia of medication, or you can bring it to a pharmacy and ask a pharmacist for an identification. But the easiest way to identify a mystery pill is to use an online identification tool.
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Instructions
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Go to the WebMD Pill Identification website (see Resources below).
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Look at your pill and identify all the distinguishing characteristics.
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Enter the numbers or letters that have been imprinted on the pill.
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Choose the shape of the pill on the pull-down menu.
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Choose the color of the pill on the pull-down menu.
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Click "Go."
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Review the results page. It will offer the name of the medication, its pronunciation and its brand name. It will also list uses, side effects, precautions, interactions and overdose information.
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