Pill identification: how to identify an unknown pill safely

What is pill identification?

Pill identification means working out what a loose tablet or capsule is: the medicine inside, its strength and who made it. People need it when they find a pill on the floor, in a drawer or in a child's pocket, when a parent's pill organiser gets mixed up, or when a refill looks different from last time.

The safest rule comes first: don't take a pill until you know exactly what it is. Keep it, and any strip, bottle or box it came from, so a pharmacist can check it.

How do you identify a pill by its imprint?

In the US, federal rules (21 CFR 206) say almost every tablet and capsule must be marked with an imprint code that, together with its size, shape and colour, identifies the medicine and its maker. That's why pill identifiers ask for these details. Write them down before you look anything up:

What to note	What it looks like	Why it helps
Imprint code	Letters, numbers or a logo, on one or both sides	The main clue: it points to one product and maker
Colour	Note both colours on a two-tone capsule	Separates look-alike pills with similar codes
Shape	Round, oval, oblong, capsule, triangle	Narrows the match
Score line	A groove across the middle	Some tablets are made to be split, most are not
Size	Measure across with a ruler, in millimetres	Separates strengths that share a design
Coating	Shiny, chalky, or a capsule you can see into	Hints at how it's made to release the medicine

Many countries have no imprint rule, so a pill bought outside the US may carry no code at all, or a code that no database lists.

Where can you check a pill for free?

• A pharmacist. The most reliable option, and free. They use professional reference tools, and if it's your medicine they can check it against your own records.
• The pack or prescription label. If any part of the strip, bottle or box is left, the name and strength printed on it are the surest answer.
• Your poison centre, if someone may have swallowed it. In the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222, free and open day and night.
• Pill identifier websites. Commercial sites let you search by imprint, colour and shape. They mostly cover medicines sold in the US, and a match is a lead to check, not a confirmation.

The US National Library of Medicine's Pillbox tool, which many older articles still mention, was retired in 2021. NLM says neither it nor DailyMed provides pill identification.

Why can a pill identifier get it wrong?

• Codes aren't always unique. Different makers and countries can use similar marks.
• Generics change. A refill can look different when the pharmacy switches supplier, even though it's the same medicine. Ask the pharmacist before assuming a mistake.
• Fake pills exist. The US Drug Enforcement Administration warns that counterfeit pills made to look like real prescription medicines are common and can contain fentanyl. A perfect visual match doesn't make a pill safe.
• Photos mislead. Light changes colours and blur hides small imprints.

What if someone swallowed an unknown pill?

• If they are very sleepy, confused, having a fit, struggling to breathe or unconscious, call your local emergency number now.
• If they seem well, call your poison centre for advice, even if you're not sure it's harmful. Children can be harmed by a single adult tablet.
• Don't make them vomit unless you're told to.
• Keep the pill, the pack and anything else they might have taken, and note the time.

When Saluvo's medicine scanner helps

Saluvo doesn't identify loose pills by their look: a wrong match on a medicine is too risky. What it does well is read the pack. Photograph the strip, bottle or box and it reads the brand, the active ingredients and the strength, then explains in plain words, in your language, what the medicine is commonly used for, how it's usually taken and who should be careful. It works with packs from any country, and if it can't read a name it says so and your credits are returned.

What to do with pills you can't identify

Don't take them, don't give them to anyone else, and keep them away from children and pets. Most pharmacies will take back unwanted or unknown medicines for safe disposal, and many areas run take-back schemes. Ask your pharmacist what's available near you.