Because there is no universal set of identifying marks and characteristics for pills, it can be difficult to identify an unknown pill. Although some pills have clues as to their identity in their appearance (heart-shaped pills are typically heart medications, for example), these cases are rare. However, pills can be identified based on their characteristics by using free online databases.
Step 1
Note all details of your pill's appearance. This includes the color and shape of the pill, as well as any imprints. The imprints can be particularly useful and may include numbers, letters or shapes on one or both sides of the pill.
Step 2
Enter the pill's descriptors into an online pill database. Drugs.com and RxList.com both have comprehensive databases of pills that you can search based on color, shape and imprint.
Step 3
Compare your pill with the database's results. Drugs.com includes images of each pill in its search results, so it is particularly apt for easy comparison.
Step 4
Take the pill to your pharmacy. If you can't identify the pill using an online database, it may be a new pill or from another country. Your pharmacist will have access to more comprehensive resources and may also be able to determine whether the pill was made by a pharmaceutical company.
