How to Find Descriptions of Pills

It is important to be able to identify pills and capsules, especially if you find unlabeled one. There are several sources for finding what a pill is and what it is used for. Books specifically for pill identification can be found in libraries or bookstores. A number of resources can be found online for pill identification as well. If you know the pill's color, shape, imprint, size or any combination of those, you can find out what it is, what it is used for and what the side effects could be. The simplest way is a website, if you have a computer available.

Things You'll Need

• Pills
• Pill identification book

Instructions

1. 

   Green oblong scored pills

   Have the pill in front of you so you can identify the color, size, imprint and shape. If the pill is scored (marked with one or more indentations to make breaking the pill apart easier) you can use that information also.

2. Find a website that offers a pill identifier. WebMD, AARP and the National Library of Medicine (see below) are a few with good information. Choose a link to the pill identifier on the site you choose.

3. 

   Pink round imprint W, 925 scored

   When you have arrived on the site and selected the identifier, it will show you blanks for entering all of the information mentioned above. Enter the information you have. If a pill has is an imprint on each side, enter both with a comma in between. For example: if one side has "93" and the other side dsiplays "7263" enter the imprint as 93, 7263. The imprint may include numbers, letters or a combination of the two. Look for drug company logos as well. Some sites feature a drop-down menu for color, size and shape. If so, make the proper selections from the menu.

4. When all or part of the information is entered, click to activate the search button. The screen will bring up a number of pills that fit the description you have entered. Look through these until you find the one that is identical to the pill you have.

5. Some websites have a button that will take you to a description of the medication, what it is prescribed for and any possible side effects. If the one you are on does not supply that info, it should be available online at the site of the pharmaceutical company that produced the pill.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are not able to find the description of the pill you have or are unsure if you have found the correct pill, you can take it to your pharmacist and he should be able to identify it and give you details of what it is for, the possible side effects and potential drug interactions with other medicines. You may also take it to a medical professional who is licensed to prescribe drugs. A Physician's Desk Reference is a book updated annually that is filled with prescription information and pictures of pills. It can be found and used in a library. You can use it to identify pills but be sure it is a current publication.

• Do not take any pills you are not able to identify. Only take identified pills that are prescribed for you by a medical professional licensed to prescribe drugs.

References

• WebMD: Pill Identification
• AARP: Pill Identifier
• National Library of Medicine: Pillbox

Resources

• Physician's Desk Reference; various editors; 2009