How to Recognize Pills: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

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How to Recognize Pills: 10 Steps (with Pictures)
How to Recognize Pills: 10 Steps (with Pictures)
Anonim

If you take several medications, it can become difficult to tell each pill apart. They may have been mixed and are no longer in the original packaging. If you need to recognize an unfamiliar pill, here are some methods that can help you.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Check the Pill

Step 1. Look closely at the pad to see if there is anything written or engraved

Each drug has characteristics that differentiate it from the others. Are there any specific marks on your pill?

  • Look for embossed letters or numbers.

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    Identify Pills Step 1Bullet1

  • The writings can be of the same color of the pad, of a contrasting one, or engraved.

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    Identify Pills Step 1Bullet2
Identify Pills Step 2
Identify Pills Step 2

Step 2. Check the color of the drug

Also determine its hue, whether it is a light or dark color.

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Identify Pills Step 2Bullet1

Step 3. Look at the shape

  • Is it oval, round, triangular or does it have some particular shape?

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    Identify Pills Step 3Bullet1

  • Evaluate its thickness.

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    Identify Pills Step 3Bullet2
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Identify Pills Step 4

Step 4. Check the dimensions

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Identify Pills Step 5Bullet1

Step 5. Determine the type of medication

Some medicines are in the form of a pill, capsule or gel tablet. The pills are solid one-piece pieces, the capsules are a two-part, powder-filled shell, while the gel pads are liquid-filled ovals.

Part 2 of 3: Search for the Pill in a Database

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Identify Pills Step 6Bullet1

Step 1. Search online for a drug identification tool

There are many sites that can help you. Just enter the characteristics of the tablet to get an answer on the matter.

  • Enter the inscriptions on the drug, its shape and color by filling in the various categories that the search engine asks you for.

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    Identify Pills Step 6Bullet2
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Identify Pills Step 7Bullet1

Step 2. Consider using a drug picture book

If you prefer not to use the internet, you can buy a book that contains photographs of all the medications and compare them to your pill. Ask your local bookstore or library.

  • Find the image that matches your unknown drug.

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    Identify Pills Step 7Bullet2
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Identify Pills Step 8Bullet1

Step 3. Call or go to a pharmacy

If you are still not sure which drug it is, you can describe it to your pharmacist or take it directly to him. Store the pill in a closed clear bag.

Part 3 of 3: Check Drug Packaging

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Identify Pills Step 10Bullet1

Step 1. Check if the pill is from some medicine pack you have at home

Open each container to check if the tablets contained resemble yours.

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Identify Pills Step 9

Step 2. Read the drug leaflet

It is mandatory in all medicine packs and, at times, carries the physical description of the pill. This will help you figure out which bottle the unknown drug is from.

Warnings

  • Don't limit yourself to a search by brand. Most often the generic drug is prescribed or sold.
  • If you cannot find the pill in the online database, there is a possibility that it is an illegal drug.
  • Don't handle the pill too much when you find it. If you touch it persistently, you could remove any writing, change its shape and even absorb the active ingredient through the skin.

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