Generic pills are an inexpensive option for prescriptions, and according to the Food and Drug Administration they are bioequivalent--chemically identical--to their brand-name counterparts. However, the absence of brand name imprints on generic drugs makes identifying such pills difficult without the aid of a physician or pharmacist. However, following a methodical yet simple process will help you identify most generic pills.
Step 1
Turn on a lamp or other source of direct light when preparing to identify the generic pill. Since many generic pills can be small with tiny imprints, have a magnifying glass handy to help you through the process.
Step 2
Note any physical characteristics of the generic pill you wish to identify. Use a metric ruler to get the pill's size in millimeters. Shape and color are other key attributes to examine--as well as whether the pill is a tablet or capsule. If it is a tablet, observe the pill's scoring--or how many imprinted lines are present for purposes of dividing the pill into multiple doses.
Step 3
Write down the generic pill's imprint code, which is usually a combination of letters and numbers. Check the entire pill, since generic drugs often bear these crucial imprints on both sides. If the imprint is worn or only partially present, write down as much as you can see on the pill.
Step 4
Enter the information you have gathered from the generic pill into the National Library of Medicine's online pill identification tool, Pillbox (see Resources). Pillbox allows you to enter imprint codes, physical attributes and other criteria in any combination. The more information you enter, the better your chance of getting an accurate result when you search.
Step 5
Click the "Search" button on Pillbox, then compare your generic pill to the medication or list of medications Pillbox yields in its search results. Some images may not be available, yet the National Library of Medicine's comprehensive, detailed descriptions of the generic medication will enable you to make a positive identification.
Things You'll Need
- Generic pill
- Pen and paper
- Metric ruler
- Magnifying glass (optional)
- Computer
- Internet access
- Pillbox website (see Resources)
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