Many prescription pills look the same, making it easy to be misled if you don’t know what you’re looking at. Here are some tips on how to identify a prescription pill:
First and foremost, look for misspellings in product names, manufacturer or main ingredients. Furthermore, observe any changes to the pill’s appearance such as changing size or shape; cracks or bubbled-up coating could indicate that this drug is counterfeit.
Color
The color of a prescription pill plays an integral role in its marketing, as well as in how users perceive and use the drug. This decision is made by both the manufacturer’s R&D department and marketing team after conducting extensive market research.
Today, pills come in an array of colors from solid white to pink, yellow, orange and purple. This is due to the fact that modern pills now feature colored coating instead of just being available in white.
Shape
Prescription pills are tablets or capsules containing medication. Each has a unique National Drug Code (NDC).
Additionally, it provides a way for doctors to identify the medication and ensure the correct dosage has been administered. This information can be printed on the label.
Pills come in various shapes, from round to oblong. Usually white or blue, they feature a numeric code for easy identification.
Research has demonstrated that the shape of a pill can impact how it’s taken and whether or not it works. It may also have an effect on your body and how you feel physically. For instance, angular pills tend to elicit interest or surprise feelings while curved pills typically elicit feelings of relief.
Pattern
A prescription pill’s pattern is comprised of its shape, color and imprint. This helps differentiate it from other pills of similar hue and shape.
In addition to a pill’s pattern, each pill also has an identifier–a combination of letters and numbers. This number is essential when trying to identify a prescription pill.
A prescription is a document issued by a doctor that allows a patient to receive an exact amount of medicine. It outlines the precise dose and duration for taking the drug.
Imprint
The imprint of a prescription pill is an essential way to identify it. This unique code is printed on most pills by the drug manufacturer and provides unique identification.
In the United States, all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) solid oral dosage forms that are sold must bear an imprint unless exempted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This requirement extends to biological drugs as well as homeopathic medications unless exempted from this requirement.
By verifying pill authenticity, patients and pharmacists can save time by reducing medication dispensing errors.
Online Pill Finder
An online pill finder can be extremely useful when trying to identify a prescription pill. This tool uses characteristics such as the drug’s imprint, color, shape and other attributes to identify it quickly and accurately.
An online pill finder is an excellent resource for getting more details about a medication. It provides insights into drug interactions, side effects, and how best to take the medicine safely.
No matter the case, being able to identify medications can be vital for avoiding serious health risks. This is especially true of unused drugs which may not be safe to consume or have been discarded improperly. It’s especially important that these items be identified immediately upon discovery.
