FAQ: Pill Identification

Question: How can I identify a pill?

Answer:

You should first ask your pharmacist or doctor to identify the pill.

The following Internet resources may also help identify medications sold in the United States. The National Library of Medicine doesn't recommend or endorse the products, services, or information at these Web sites. You need to evaluate the value, authoritativeness, and timeliness of the information you find.

• The FDA Division of Drug Information identification service at
  http://www.fda.gov/cder/Offices/DDI/drugID.htm
  
  
• The Drug Digest Pill Images at
  http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/PillImages/PillImagesSearch/1,20327,,00.html
  
  
• The Identification Web site from the California Department of Justice includes photos of street drugs at http://www.stopdrugs.org/identification.html
  
  
• Pill Identification Wizard at http://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html
  

 

Books for identifying drugs may be available at your local public or university library:

• Ident-a-drug reference: for drug, tablet, and capsule identification
  Identifies drugs by the numbers and letters on the drugs; does not include photos.
  
  
• Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR)
  Includes photos

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Related Questions:

Where can I find information about U.S. drugs?

Where can I find information about international (non-US) drugs?

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http://www.nlm.nih.gov/services/drug_id.html

Last reviewed: 17 November 2008
Last updated: 17 November 2008
First published: 01 January 2000
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