Pill Identifier (Pill Finder Wizard) - Pill Identification Tool Using Drug Pictures, Color, Shape, Number, or Imprint (2024)

Having trouble identifying prescription, OTC, generic, and brand name pills and capsules? Quickly identify drugs and medications, including pill identifying pictures, using the RxList Pill Identifier Tool.

Use the imprint, color, or shape of your pill (one, all or any combination of the fields below) and our Pill Identification Tool (Pill Finder) will show you pictures to review and identify your drug.

Need help with the pill finder? Click for instructions.

Pill Identification from a Doctor's Perspective

Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

In the emergency room where I work, I sometimes see patients who have either taken the wrong medication or the wrong dose of medication. It is a common problem. Medication errors can cause serious consequences. Doctors and pharmacists are diligent in making sure patients receive the correct medication. But mistakes happen. As a consumer, you need to protect yourself and ensure you have the correct medication. Know the medication and dose you should have received, and understand your condition.

The RxList Pill Identifier Tool will help you identify prescription, OTC, generic, and brand name drugs by pill color, size, shape, and drug imprint. Match your drug imprint (Pill ID) to the pictures and quickly identify your medications. If you do not find a match, call your doctor or pharmacist.

How To Use the RxList Pill Identifier/Pill Finder Tool

To accurately identify the pill, drug or medication, you can do any one, any combination of or all of the following steps using our pill identifier tool.

Enter or Select from the drop down, the imprint code on the medication, (The imprint is the letters, numbers or other markings on the pill, tablet or capsule. If there are different markings on the front of back, try entering just one side. If you want to enter both, separate them with by using the symbol * (ie: Lupin*10)).
Select the color of the pill in the pull-down menu above.
Select the shape of the pill in the pull-down menu above.

Once you've found a drug id match, you'll be able to link to a detailed description, drug picture, and images in our comprehensive RxList Drug Database. You can also use the drug pictures to help identify pills.

Pill Identifier Examples of Popular Drug Pictures and Images

capsule, white, imprinted with Logo 4381, 100 mg
© Cerner Multum

capsule, green, imprinted with 20 mg, LILLY 3235
© Cerner Multum

shield, yellow, imprinted with ZOCOR, MSD 726
© Cerner Multum

oval, beige, imprinted with F P, 10 MG
© Cerner Multum

round, peach, imprinted with TOPAMAX, 200
© Cerner Multum

Top 10 Drugs Prescribed in the US and Their Side Effects

There are thousands of drugs prescribed every year for many different health problems. Tracking the most frequently prescribed drugs is one way to see what types of health problems predominate in the U.S. You may see some familiar drugs on this list that you, your relatives, and friends may take. People may know what drug they take, but are not sure what the drug is supposed to do or what side effects may occur. Fortunately, the pharmacy industry provides a simple listing of the top 100 drugs prescribed (reference) and most of these drug's functions, side effects, precautions, dosages, and other information are detailed at RxList.com. Listed below are the top 10 drugs prescribed in the U.S. Click on the link to get additional detailed information on the drugs.

Top 10 Prescribed drugs in the US

Rank #	Brand Name	Generic Name	Drug's Major Function
1	Synthroid	levothyroxine sodium	Treats low thyroid levels
2	Crestor	rosuvastatin calcium	Used to lower LDA ("bad") cholesterol
3	Ventolin HFA	albuterol sulfate	A bronchodilator that increases air flow to the lungs
4	Nexium	esomeprazole magnesium	Blocks acid production in the stomach
5	Advair Diskus	fluticasone and salmeterol	Treats asthma and chronic bronchitis
6	Lantus Solostar	insulin glargine	Treats type 1 and type 2 diabetes
7	Vyvanse	lisdexamfetamine dimesylate	Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
8	Lyrica	pregabalin	Treats pain from diabetes, shingles, and fibromyalgia
9	Spiriva Handihaler	tiotropium bromide	Treats bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD
10	Januvia	sitagliptin	Treats type 2 diabetes

Side effects can occur with any drug; fortunately, only a small percentage of people develop one or more side effects but some side effects may cause people to be unable to take certain drugs. Many of the infrequent but possible side effects of the top ten prescribed drugs are listed below.

Top 10 Prescribed drugs in the US: side effects

Rank #	Brand Name	Drug's Possible Side Effects
1	Vicodin	Sedating, habit-forming, dizziness, N/V*, impaired thinking and function
2	Prinivil	N/V, dry cough, dizziness, drowsiness
3	Zocor	N/V, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, muscle pain
4	Synthroid	chest pain, tachycardia, heat intolerance, nervousness, weight loss
5	Amoxil	Allergic reaction, diarrhea, N/V, itching, rash, confusion
6	Zithromax	N/V, diarrhea, abdominal pain, allergic reaction, abnormal heart beat
7	Microzide	Low blood pressure, electrolyte changes, weakness, rash
8	Norvasc	headache, swelling (legs), palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, N/V
9	Xanax	Allergic reaction, depression, confusion, dizziness, reduced urine, chest pain
10	Glucophage	N/V, diarrhea, gas, bloating, decreased appetite, low glucose

*N/V means nausea and vomiting

REFERENCES: Pharmacy Tech Study. Top 100 Drugs by total prescription.

Examples of Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the three types of drugs that are misused or abused most often are:

Opiates or Opioids – prescribed for pain relief
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants – prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (also called sedatives or tranquilizers)
Stimulants – prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity

Drug Types: Opiates/Opioids
Generic Names	Brand Names
codeine	Empririn With Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine
fentanyl	Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze
hydrocodone	Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet
hydromorphone hydrochloride	Dilaudid
meperidine	Demerol
methadone	Methadose, Dolophine
morphine	Roxanol, Duramorph
oxycodone:	Oxycontin, Percocet, Percodan, Tylox
oxymorphone	Opana, Numorphan, Numorphone
propoxyphene	Darvon, Darvocet-N

Drug Types: Depressants
Generic Names	Brand Names
barbiturates	Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital,
benzodiazepines	Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax
sleep medications: zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone	Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta

Drug Types: Stimulants
Generic Names	Brand Names
amphetamines	Adderall, Biphetamine, Dexedrine
cocaine	Cocaine hydrochloride
methylphenidate	Concerta, Ritalin

source: www.drugabuse.gov

Pill Identification of Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

oval, white, imprinted with M 357
© Cerner Multum

round, white, imprinted with OC, 10
© Cerner Multum

round, white, imprinted with 54 782, 15
© Cerner Multum

pink, imprinted with DARVON
© Cerner Multum

round, white, imprinted with West-Ward 450
© Cerner Multum

oval, white, imprinted with XANAX 0.25
© Cerner Multum

round, white, imprinted with 2 VALIUM, ROCHEROCHE
© Cerner Multum

round, blue, imprinted with AD, 5
© Cerner Multum

oblong, yellow, imprinted with alza 18
© Cerner Multum

round, yellow, imprinted with CIBA, 7
© Cerner Multum

oval, white, imprinted with BTG, 11 11
© Cerner Multum

Please note that any drugs that show an expired or past expiration date should be discarded.

Didn't find what you were looking for with our Pill Finder? Try these additional search resources or use our Drugs A-Z listing

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References

Disclaimer: Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

Pill Identifier (Pill Finder Wizard) - Pill Identification Tool Using Drug Pictures, Color, Shape, Number, or Imprint (2024)

FAQs

What is the imprint code of a drug? ›

Why Do Drugs Have Imprint Codes? The imprint code, when used in conjunction with the product's size, shape, and color, permits the identification of the drug product, the active ingredient(s), strength, and the manufacturer or distributor of the product.

How can I identify a pill by a picture? ›

The RxList Pill Identifier Tool will help you identify prescription, OTC, generic, and brand name drugs by pill color, size, shape, and drug imprint. Match your drug imprint (Pill ID) to the pictures and quickly identify your medications. If you do not find a match, call your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the best website to identify pills? ›

Medscape's Pill Identifier helps you to ID generic and brand name prescription drugs, OTCs, and supplements. Search from over 10,000 tablets and capsules by imprint, color, shape, form, and scoring. Once a medication is selected, you will be able to: Verify drug name, strength, and detailed pill characteristics.

Find Out More ›

How do I identify a pill with no imprint? ›

All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in the U.S. are required by the FDA to have an imprint code. If your pill has no imprint it could be a vitamin, diet, herbal, or energy pill, or an illicit or foreign drug. It is not possible to accurately identify a pill online without an imprint code.

Explore More ›

What are the color coded drugs? ›

Color-coded labels aim to contain syringe swaps to medications of the same class. Thus, if a syringe swap does occur, the initial management strategy is likely to be the correct one. For example, prior to performing a spinal you ask a colleague to give fentanyl.

Tell Me More ›

What are Colour coded drugs? ›

The colors are used to differentiate products, and each color refers to a particular drug class. For example, blue labels are used to indicate opioids (Figure 2), florescent red, neuromuscular blockers; yellow, induction agents; orange, tranquilizers; violet, vasopressors; and green for anticholinergics.

What is the app that identifies drugs? ›

Our app, Smart Pill ID, leverages powerful Artificial Intelligence algorithms to accurately match pills based on their inscription, color, shape, and size.

Is there a free app to identify pills? ›

Drugs.com Mobile Apps

The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Available for Android and iOS devices.

What is the Percocet pill identifier? ›

Pill with imprint PERCOCET 10/325 is Yellow, Oval and has been identified as Percocet 325 mg / 10 mg. It is supplied by Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. Percocet 10/325 is used in the treatment of Chronic Pain; Pain and belongs to the drug class narcotic analgesic combinations.

Read On ›

How do you identify genuine drugs? ›

A medicine is fake if:

It contains too much, too little or any different ingredients;
Claims to have different properties or side-effects;
Has a different shape, size, taste or colour;
Is not correctly labelled or not labelled at all;
Has an out-of-date or missing expiry date;

More items...

Learn More Now ›

What is a blue pill with 87 on it? ›

Sildenafil tablets USP are supplied as blue, round, biconvex, film-coated tablets containing sildenafil citrate equivalent to 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg of sildenafil. Tablets are debossed with 86, 87 and 88 respectively for 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg strength on one side and plain on other side.

Discover More ›

What does a Xanax pill look like? ›

Small pills, usually oval though can be other shapes. They come at different strengths (0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg being the most common) and in a range of different colours (white, orange and pink most often) and the colour is usually linked to the strength of the pill. They are also found (rarely) in capsule form.

How do you identify an unknown pill? ›

WebMD's Pill Identifier can help you put a name to an unknown medication. It identifies prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) meds that you take in solid form by mouth, like tablets and capsules. Simply enter some basic details about the pill, and the Identifier tells you what it might be.

What is a red pill with Z on it? ›

Azithromycin is used to treat certain bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. This medicine may mask or delay the symptoms of syphilis. It is not effective against syphilis infections. Azithromycin belongs to the class of drugs known as macrolide antibiotics.

Read The Full Story ›

Is oxycodone the same as Percocet? ›

What's the difference between Percocet and oxycodone-CR products? Both Percocet and oxycodone-CR products relieve pain, but while Percocet gives relief for about five hours, the effects of oxycodone-CR last for about 12 hours, when taken as prescribed.

Learn More Now ›

What does pill imprint mean? ›

A pill imprint code is used to uniquely identify all solid oral dosage forms such as tablets, capsules and pills.

Keep Reading ›

What is the drug item code? ›

What is an NDC code? Each listed drug product is assigned a unique 10-digit, 3-segment number. This number, known as the NDC, identifies the labeler, product, and trade package size.

What codes are used for drugs? ›

the National Drug Code (NDC), total quantity of the drug that was administered, expressed in the unit of measure applicable to the drug or biological, and.

What is a drug code number? ›

The NDC, or National Drug Code, is a unique 10-digit, 3-segment number. It is a universal product identifier for human drugs in the United States. The code is present on all nonprescription (OTC) and prescription medication packages and inserts in the US.

See Details ›