This document provides instructions for using the pill identifier tool on Rxlist.com to identify unknown pills. It explains how to enter details about the pill's imprint, color, and shape into the tool to search for matching results. If results are returned, the document advises comparing the pill to the images and information provided. It offers additional steps to take if no matches are found or if the identified pill is not prescribed to the user, such as checking with housemates, pharmacists, or print pill identification guides.

1. Which pill is this?

2. Medication needs to be organized

3. but what if it isn’t?

4. How do you know which pill is which?

5. Rxlist.com can help

6. Medical data
is provided
by the FDA &
First Data
Bank, Inc.
Rxlist.com can help

7. Medical data
is provided
by the FDA &
Written by
physicians
and
pharmacists
Rxlist.com can help
First Data
Bank, Inc.

8. Medical data
is provided
by the FDA &
Updated
continuously
Written by
physicians
and
pharmacists
Rxlist.com can help
First Data
Bank, Inc.

9. 1.Select “Pill Identifier”

10. 1.Select “Pill Identifier”

11. Pill Identifier

12. Scroll
to this box

13. 3. Fill in the first field

14. You can
leave fields
blank
3. Fill in the first field

15. You can
leave fields
blank
but if you fill in all
relevant fields, the
result will be
clearer
3. Fill in the first field

16. What is an imprint?

17. An imprint is the marking on a pill

18. Like “512”
on this pill
An imprint is the marking on a pill

19. Let’s practice with that pill

20. 4. Fill in the second field

21. 4. Fill in the second field

22. Click the
color of
your pill
4. Fill in the second field

23. 4. Fill in the second field

24. 5. Fill in the third field

25. Click the
shape of
your pill
5. Fill in the third field

26. 5. Fill in the third field

27. 6. Click “Search”

28. 6. Click “Search”

29. 7. Compare the result(s) to your pill

30. 7. Compare the result(s) to your pill

31. Is the
imprint
the same
size?
7. Compare the result(s) to your pill

32. Is the
imprint
the same
size? Is the imprint
font the
same?
7. Compare the result(s) to your pill

33. Are there
any visible
Is the differences?
imprint
the same
size? Is the imprint
font the
same?
7. Compare the result(s) to your pill

34. Do you have a
prescription for
the named
drug?
7. Compare the result(s) to your pill

35. Do you have a
prescription for
the named
drug?
Don’t forget
to check the
generic name
7. Compare the result(s) to your pill

36. Do you have a
prescription for
the named
drug?
Don’t forget
to check the
generic name
If you do not live
alone check
prescription
bottles & boxes.
This may be a
house-mate’s pill.
7. Compare the result(s) to your pill

37. 8. Click the drug name for details

38. Or click a hyperlink
below the drug
name to go directly
to a specific topic
8. Click the drug name for details

39. Medicine Description

40. If you are satisfied
that you have
identified your pill,
you can learn more
about the medication
on this page.
Medicine Description

41. These tabs will
take you to
different
sections of the
article
Medicine Description
If you are satisfied
that you have
identified your pill,
you can learn more
about the medication
on this page.

42. What if…

43. I don’t have a
prescription
for this
medicine
What if…

44. None of my
housemates
have a
prescription for
this medicine
I don’t have a
prescription
for this
medicine
What if…

45. None of my
housemates
have a
prescription for
this medicine
I don’t have a
prescription
for this
medicine
What if…
There are no
results for
my imprint,
color, and
shape!

46. It could be a supplement

47. Vitamins and
supplements
rarely show up
in the Pill
Identifier
It could be a supplement…

48. If you want to
know for certain
what your pill is
or have other
questions…
Vitamins and
supplements
rarely show up
in the Pill
Identifier
It could be a supplement…

49. You have options.

50. A.
Visit your local
library to use a
print “pill index”
You have options.

51. A.
Visit your local
library to use a
print “pill index”
It will be in
the
Reference
section
You have options.

52. A.
Visit your local
library to use a
print “pill index”
It will be in
the
Reference
section
Bring the pill
with you
because books
from this
section can’t be
checked out
You have options.

53. A.
Visit your local
library to use a
print “pill index”
It will be in
the
Reference
section
Bring the pill
with you
because books
from this
section can’t be
checked out
You have options.
B.
Ask your
pharmacist to
help you
identify the
pill

54. Photo Credits
•
•
•
•
•
All photographs used are under a Creative
Commons License. The links below are to the
creators’s original images.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7780925@N04/7687070766/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/7315163226/lightbox/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/7315139810/sizes/o/in/photostream
/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thirteenofclubs/5521104132/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/erix/142789779/