How to Identify Medications by Pill Type

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By Carla J. Cohen
eHow Contributing Writer

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When you have been prescribed medications for any reason, it is important to follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly. But pills can be misplaced, degraded or otherwise become unidentifiable, leaving you to wonder which pill is which-a possibly dangerous dilemma. The situation is magnified if you are taking numerous medications. There are some simple steps to help identify anonymous pills without having to miss a single dose.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Unidentified pill
Internet access
Access to local pharmacy

How to Identify Medications By Pill Type

Step 1

All medications are imprinted with markings of numbers, letters or a combination of both. Note the imprints on each side of the unidentified pill.
Step 2

Evaluate the shape of the pill. Determine if it is round, elliptical, rectangular or capsule-shaped, for example.
Step 3

Observe the pill color. It could be white, yellow, orange, pink, blue or a variety of other colors. Color is important because it usually determines the dosage of the pill.
Step 4

Point your internet browser to either of the following websites. (See References.)

RxList Pill Identification Tool

Drugs.com Pill Identifier
Step 5

Input the imprint, color and shape into the pill identification wizard. After submitting, the website will present you with a picture of the identified pill and information on the medication.

Tips & Warnings

If the above websites present you with a picture of a pill that does not match your unidentified pill, or if the medication information does not match a medication you have been prescribed, bring the unidentified pill to a local pharmacy.The pharmacist can definitively ID the pill.
Until a pill has been identified, do not ingest it.
If the pill has degraded to an unidentifiable point, do not ingest it.