Pills come in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Securing the proper drug information will enable a person to recognize the pill name and what condition it is prescribed for. By accessing online databases, publishers and pharmacies, individuals can successfully identify pills by description.
Step 1
Show the pill in question to your pharmacist or doctor. This is the best strategy for identifying a pill. Because pharmacists and doctors are committed to ensuring patient safety and education, they will provide accurate information for pill inquiries. In addition, they can inform you of the proper medical description, its uses, doses and safety information.
Step 2
Write down the description of the pill after thoroughly examining it. If the pharmacist or doctor is unable to identify it, you will need to search a pill database. In preparation for this, measure the pill dimensions, note the color and determine the shape. This helps to correctly identify the pill using the database search.
Step 3
Type up the pill description using the drug identification reference section of a Physicians' Desk Reference. Normally, these books are found at your local university, hospital or public library. These doctor manuals can help identify the pill in question. Physicians' Desk References include pill pictures and descriptions to make identification easier.
Step 4
Search an online database. A variety of databases exist online to identify unknown pills. For example, the United States Food and Drug Administration has a drug identification division that handles inquiries through email correspondence. According to the website, the division staff can identify drugs based on various descriptions and markings (See References). Other databases use the same characteristics to identify pills. Confirm the results with a qualified pharmacist or medical professional.
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