How To Identify A Generic Pill

Many people have older or unidentified prescriptions in their medicine cabinets or in pill boxes stashed in purses and briefcases. After a while, it may become challenging to remember what the medicines are that you have tucked away without their original labels. It's now fairly easy to identify pills with the online formats made available by some of the drug and pharmacy sites, or by purchasing a pill identification book from your bookstore.

Step 1

Go to Drugs.com, RxList.com or the Healthline Pill Finder website to find their online pill identifier. Links to these sites are in the Resources section below.

Step 2

Compare your unidentified capsule or tablet to the features provided in the online menus. Prescription medications are categorized by shape, form and color as well as text imprint.

Step 3

Use the menus provided, recommends Drugs.com, to find a match for the medicine you're looking for. Whichever website you choose, you will be provided with the manufacturer, strength, side effects, drug interactions and other pertinent information.

Step 4

Purchase "The Pill Book" if you prefer to not use online guides for pill identification. It is sold at bookstores in the health section and probably at your pharmacy. The book is easy to use and contains colored photos of all prescription drugs and full identifying characteristics to help you figure out what you have.

Step 5

Review your medicine cabinet regularly to be sure all pill bottles retain their labels with the name of the prescription, the date you ordered it and its expiration date, doctor's name and other relevant information. If you carry a pill box with loose medicines, keep a list of what prescriptions you put in it so you can easily identify them in the future, suggests RxList.com.

Tips and Warnings

Buy a copy of "The Pill Book" so you don't need to always be online.
If you are unable to identify the pills you are looking for, speak to your pharmacist. Never take medication that you know nothing about.