If you have unidentified pills stashed in your purse or briefcase and want to know what they are, it's easy to find out. Online formats have been made available by a variety of drug stores to help you find the pill by its markings, color, shape or size. If you are more comfortable reading a book, there's even one available for you to help identify your unlabeled pills.
Step 1
Examine your unlabeled pill and, if necessary, use a magnifying glass to see the imprint markings clearly. Follow the directions at an online pill finder menu (see Resources) to help locate your pill. All prescription medicines are categorized by color, form and shape, as well as imprint. It's most important to be clear about what the imprint says.
Step 2
Locate a match for your pill using the drop-down menu on your drug identification website of choice, advises Drugs.com. All of the websites provide the strength, side effects, manufacturer, interactions and other relevant information for each medication entered.
Step 3
Go through your medicine cabinet every once in awhile to throw out old, expired prescriptions. Label all medicines so you don't accidentally take the wrong drug. Write the name and date of the drug on the label, including the doctor's name and phone number. Keep a list of what you put into your pill box in your purse or briefcase, suggests Rx.Com.
Tips and Warnings
- If you have elderly parents, buy them a copy of "The Pill Book" so they have access to this information if they don't have a computer.
- If you are unable to identify the pills you are looking for, speak to your pharmacist. Don't use old medicine that you can't identify.
References
- The Pill Book; Harold M. Silverman; Pharm.D.; 1998
- Pharmer.org: What's My Pill?
Member Comments