Find what kind of pill i have

Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. There are a number of different reasons why you might need help with pill identification. Maybe you misplaced a drug label or forgot what the pills in your weekly pillbox are. Considering the epidemic of prescription drug misuse and addiction and an uptick in deaths due to overdoses around the United States, you may be right to be concerned.

What's more, older and younger age groups could be the most at risk of misusing prescription drugs. Whatever your reason, knowing what some common substances look like can help you determine what the pills in question might be. More specifically, the most commonly misused prescription drugs by brand and generic name include:.

It includes images that could help you identify the pill, common street names, and information on how the drug affects the body. By law, every pill, tablet, or capsule approved by the FDA must be unique to make identifying each pill easier. Here are the different characteristics to look for:. To identify a pill, you can go online and look for pill identification tools.

For example, Poison Control Centers have a pill identifier that may help. The DEA also has images of drugs available on their website. If an online pill identification tool does not produce any results, double-check the imprint. You might need to use a magnifying glass on very small pills to distinguish the letters and numbers. If you're having trouble identifying the pills, you can always take them to your local pharmacist, who may be able to help you. Finally, you can even try reaching out directly to the FDA's Division of Drug Information with a description of your pill and ask them to help you identify it.

If you can't identify the pill by any of these means, it may not be FDA-approved and could be an illegal or counterfeit drug or alternative remedy. The below information can help you identify just some of the most commonly misused pills.

Since these pills can come from a variety of manufacturers and appear differently, these descriptions are only rough guides. One small, round, blue pill that you might find is Adderall. It has the marking "AD" on one side and the number "10" on the other. Some people might take Adderall without a prescription to help them concentrate and to do better at school or work. Others take it to get high. Adderall pills can either be swallowed or ground up and snorted for a quicker effect.

Pills can be round or triangular in shape. Dilaudid also comes in liquid form. There are many similar pills, but only one has those markings. Although it is just a cold and cough medication, teenagers and young adults in particular misuse the dextromethorphan also called DXM contained in these little red pills. In addition to dextromethorphan, this cold medication also contains an antihistamine.

Deaths from kids misusing DXM and Coricidin have been reported. Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate , is a stimulant drug that is about the size and shape of aspirin. The small pills can be pale yellow 5 milligrams , pale green 10 milligrams , or both white and yellow 20 milligrams , and are stamped with the manufacturer's name, Ciba.

Like Adderall, Ritalin is often misused to improve productivity and performance at work or school. Xanax is one of a group of addictive prescription medications known as benzodiazepines. It comes in a variety of shapes and colors and is imprinted with the manufacturer's name and strength including:.

People often think prescription drugs like Xanax are safer than illicit street drugs, but these medications can be very dangerous—especially when mixed with painkillers or alcohol. These white, oblong pills imprinted with the manufacturer name on one side and strength on the other side are one of the most commonly misused prescription painkillers. Vicodin can suppress a person's breathing, which can be life-threatening.

Like Vicodin, OxyContin is another opioid that can produce similar effects as heroin. They can come in round tablets and a few different colors, depending on the strength: white 10 milligrams , gray 15 milligrams , pink 20 milligrams , brown 30 milligrams , yellow 40 milligrams , red 60 milligrams , and green 80 milligrams. In addition to finding unknown pills, there are also some signs to watch out for that may indicate someone you know may be abusing prescription or illegal drugs. To help prevent prescription drug abuse , there are some things you should and shouldn't do according to NIDA:.

Also, remember to discuss any past substance misuse with your doctor before taking a new medication. If you're concerned a friend or loved one might be misusing pills, sharing what you found and conveying your concerns in a non-judgmental way could be a good place to start. You can also offer to help them schedule an appointment with a mental health professional. If the loved one in question is your teenager and you're worried approaching them won't go well, you can always ask someone else they trust and respect to step in.

You could also raise your concerns with your pediatrician or a child psychologist , and they can bring up the subject during the appointment. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

While there are pill identification resources online, remember to never take a pill without knowing what it is. While the list here might help you get started, there are many more pills out there that you may need help identifying. In the case that you are still stuck, your local pharmacist might be able to help you. If you're concerned about a friend or loved one's possible prescription or illicit drug use, go ahead and talk to them, but be prepared for resistance.

Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. December 17, National Institute on Drug Abuse. What is the scope of prescription drug misuse? Tip: If the tool does not produce any results, double-check the imprint. Some of the letters and numbers can be hard to distinguish, especially on very small pills. If needed, use a magnifying glass. There are a few reasons why the pill identifier may not be able to recognize the pill you have.

Most likely, it may not be an FDA-approved drug. This means that you may be looking at an illegal drug, a counterfeit, or even an alternative remedy. You may want to take it to your pharmacist to ask for help. If you don't want to do that, then throw it away. However, it's important that you properly dispose of drugs.

Do not just toss it in the trash because another person or an animal may find it and ingest it, causing potentially serious problems. As tempting as it may be, do not flush pills down the toilet, either.

Flushing medications can pollute nearby waterways, which you use every day for drinking and bathing. It also has a significant impact on the environment, including fish and wildlife. A better option is to take the pill and any unused medications you no longer need to an authorized U.

It's never a good idea to take any pill that you're not prescribed or that you don't buy directly over-the-counter OTC. It is even less advisable to take a drug when you don't know what it is. It's always best to talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any medication. Various medications, dietary supplements, and alternative remedies can cause serious health problems, even if they're approved for use or OTC.

By taking an unknown pill, you are running the risk of drug interactions, complications of medical conditions you have, and counterfeit drugs that are not regulated. The FDA is a great resource for advice about safely taking medications. Just remember: if you don't know it, don't swallow it. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Updated April 1, Geological Survey. Pharmaceuticals in water.

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