Having trouble identifying prescription, OTC, generic, and brand name pills and capsules? Quickly identify drugs and medications, including pill identifying pictures, using the RxList Pill Identifier Tool.
Use the imprint, color, or shape of your pill (one, all or any combination of the fields below) and our Pill Identification Tool (Pill Finder) will show you pictures to review and identify your drug.
Need help with the pill finder? Click for instructions.
Pill Identification from a Doctor's Perspective
Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
In the emergency room where I work, I sometimes see patients who have either taken the wrong medication or the wrong dose of medication. It is a common problem. Medication errors can cause serious consequences. Doctors and pharmacists are diligent in making sure patients receive the correct medication. But mistakes happen. As a consumer, you need to protect yourself and ensure you have the correct medication. Know the medication and dose you should have received, and understand your condition.
The RxList Pill Identifier Tool will help you identify prescription, OTC, generic, and brand name drugs by pill color, size, shape, and drug imprint. Match your drug imprint (Pill ID) to the pictures and quickly identify your medications. If you do not find a match, call your doctor or pharmacist.
How To Use the RxList Pill Identifier/Pill Finder Tool
To accurately identify the pill, drug or medication, you can do any one, any combination of or all of the following steps using our pill identifier tool.
- Enter or Select from the drop down, the imprint code on the medication, (The imprint is the letters, numbers or other markings on the pill, tablet or capsule. If there are different markings on the front of back, try entering just one side. If you want to enter both, separate them with by using the symbol * (ie: Lupin*10)).
- Select the color of the pill in the pull-down menu above.
- Select the shape of the pill in the pull-down menu above.
Once you've found a drug id match, you'll be able to link to a detailed description, drug picture, and images in our comprehensive RxList Drug Database. You can also use the drug pictures to help identify pills.
Pill Identifier Examples of Popular Drug Pictures and Images
capsule, white, imprinted with Logo 4381, 100 mg
© Cerner Multum
capsule, green, imprinted with 20 mg, LILLY 3235
© Cerner Multum
shield, yellow, imprinted with ZOCOR, MSD 726
© Cerner Multum
oval, beige, imprinted with F P, 10 MG
© Cerner Multum
round, peach, imprinted with TOPAMAX, 200
© Cerner Multum
Top 10 Drugs Prescribed in the US and Their Side Effects
There are thousands of drugs prescribed every year for many different health problems. Tracking the most frequently prescribed drugs is one way to see what types of health problems predominate in the U.S. You may see some familiar drugs on this list that you, your relatives, and friends may take. People may know what drug they take, but are not sure what the drug is supposed to do or what side effects may occur. Fortunately, the pharmacy industry provides a simple listing of the top 100 drugs prescribed (reference) and most of these drug's functions, side effects, precautions, dosages, and other information are detailed at RxList.com. Listed below are the top 10 drugs prescribed in the U.S. Click on the link to get additional detailed information on the drugs.
Top 10 Prescribed drugs in the US
| Rank # | Brand Name | Generic Name | Drug's Major Function |
| 1 | Synthroid | levothyroxine sodium | Treats low thyroid levels |
| 2 | Crestor | rosuvastatin calcium | Used to lower LDA ("bad") cholesterol |
| 3 | Ventolin HFA | albuterol sulfate | A bronchodilator that increases air flow to the lungs |
| 4 | Nexium | esomeprazole magnesium | Blocks acid production in the stomach |
| 5 | Advair Diskus | fluticasone and salmeterol | Treats asthma and chronic bronchitis |
| 6 | Lantus Solostar | insulin glargine | Treats type 1 and type 2 diabetes |
| 7 | Vyvanse | lisdexamfetamine dimesylate | Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |
| 8 | Lyrica | pregabalin | Treats pain from diabetes, shingles, and fibromyalgia |
| 9 | Spiriva Handihaler | tiotropium bromide | Treats bronchitis, emphysema, or COPD |
| 10 | Januvia | sitagliptin | Treats type 2 diabetes |
Side effects can occur with any drug; fortunately, only a small percentage of people develop one or more side effects but some side effects may cause people to be unable to take certain drugs. Many of the infrequent but possible side effects of the top ten prescribed drugs are listed below.
Top 10 Prescribed drugs in the US: side effects
| Rank # | Brand Name | Drug's Possible Side Effects |
| 1 | Vicodin | Sedating, habit-forming, dizziness, N/V*, impaired thinking and function |
| 2 | Prinivil | N/V, dry cough, dizziness, drowsiness |
| 3 | Zocor | N/V, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, muscle pain |
| 4 | Synthroid | chest pain, tachycardia, heat intolerance, nervousness, weight loss |
| 5 | Amoxil | Allergic reaction, diarrhea, N/V, itching, rash, confusion |
| 6 | Zithromax | N/V, diarrhea, abdominal pain, allergic reaction, abnormal heart beat |
| 7 | Microzide | Low blood pressure, electrolyte changes, weakness, rash |
| 8 | Norvasc | headache, swelling (legs), palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, N/V |
| 9 | Xanax | Allergic reaction, depression, confusion, dizziness, reduced urine, chest pain |
| 10 | Glucophage | N/V, diarrhea, gas, bloating, decreased appetite, low glucose |
*N/V means nausea and vomiting
REFERENCES: Pharmacy Tech Study. Top 100 Drugs by total prescription.
Examples of Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the three types of drugs that are misused or abused most often are:
- Opiates or Opioids – prescribed for pain relief
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants – prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (also called sedatives or tranquilizers)
- Stimulants – prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and obesity
| Drug Types: Opiates/Opioids | |
| Generic Names | Brand Names |
| codeine | Empririn With Codeine, Fiorinal with Codeine, Robitussin A-C, Tylenol with Codeine |
| fentanyl | Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze |
| hydrocodone | Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet |
| hydromorphone hydrochloride | Dilaudid |
| meperidine | Demerol |
| methadone | Methadose, Dolophine |
| morphine | Roxanol, Duramorph |
| oxycodone: | Oxycontin, Percocet, Percodan, Tylox |
| oxymorphone | Opana, Numorphan, Numorphone |
| propoxyphene | Darvon, Darvocet-N |
| Drug Types: Depressants | |
| Generic Names | Brand Names |
| barbiturates | Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital, |
| benzodiazepines | Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Valium, Xanax |
| sleep medications: zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone | Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta |
| Drug Types: Stimulants | |
| Generic Names | Brand Names |
| amphetamines | Adderall, Biphetamine, Dexedrine |
| cocaine | Cocaine hydrochloride |
| methylphenidate | Concerta, Ritalin |
source: www.drugabuse.gov
Pill Identification of Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs
oval, white, imprinted with M 357
© Cerner Multum
round, white, imprinted with OC, 10
© Cerner Multum
round, white, imprinted with 54 782, 15
© Cerner Multum
pink, imprinted with DARVON
© Cerner Multum
round, white, imprinted with West-Ward 450
© Cerner Multum
oval, white, imprinted with XANAX 0.25
© Cerner Multum
round, white, imprinted with 2 VALIUM, ROCHEROCHE
© Cerner Multum
round, blue, imprinted with AD, 5
© Cerner Multum
oblong, yellow, imprinted with alza 18
© Cerner Multum
round, yellow, imprinted with CIBA, 7
© Cerner Multum
oval, white, imprinted with BTG, 11 11
© Cerner Multum
Please note that any drugs that show an expired or past expiration date should be discarded.
Didn't find what you were looking for with our Pill Finder? Try these additional search resources or use our Drugs A-Z listing
References
Disclaimer: Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
