Easy Ways to Identify a Pill

• 1). Find the imprint on the pill. It will be a logo, letters, numbers or some combination. Manufacturers must provide this unique pill identification which indicates the pill, its batch number and date of manufacture. This is essential since color and shape alone are not enough to identify a pill.
  
  
• 2). Check an online database such as Drugs.com or RxList.com, which are designed to identify prescription medications. Enter the imprinted code on the pill. The site may also request the color and shape although these are not the most accurate identifier. Books are also available that provide descriptions of medications but online sites are more easily updated and will be more current.
  
  
• 3). Read the pill description when you've found it in the database. Double check that it is the type of pill you take. You should be familiar with the names of all your medications.
  
  
• 4). See your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions or concerns about the medication. Do not take any medication that you do not recognize. If a pill you take regularly doesn't seem familiar, ask your doctor if he's changed the prescription.