Pill Identification: How to Spot Medications by Shape, Color, and Imprint

When you find a pill you don’t recognize—maybe in your medicine cabinet, your child’s room, or even on the floor—it’s not just confusing, it’s risky. pill identification, the process of recognizing medications by their physical traits like imprint, color, and shape. Also known as drug identification, it’s the first step to avoiding dangerous mix-ups or accidental overdoses. A white oval with "V 30 97" on it isn’t just a random pill—it’s a specific opioid. A blue diamond with "20" means something completely different. Getting this wrong can cost you more than time—it can cost your health.

Most prescription and over-the-counter pills have imprints, letters, numbers, or symbols stamped or engraved onto the surface. These aren’t decorative—they’re required by the FDA for traceability. The same pill made by different manufacturers might look different in color or shape, but the imprint stays consistent. That’s why you can’t rely on color alone. A generic version of Adderall might be orange instead of blue, but if the imprint says "AD 10", it’s still the same drug. pill shape, whether it’s round, oval, capsule, or scored also narrows down the options. A round white tablet with "5" on one side and "30" on the other? That’s a common dose of oxycodone. A capsule with "20" and a line down the middle? Likely a generic sertraline.

But what if the imprint is faded or missing? That’s where medication lookup, using trusted databases or apps that match physical traits to drug records comes in. Sites like WebMD’s Pill Identifier or the NIH’s DailyMed let you filter by color, shape, and imprint to find matches. But don’t trust random forums or TikTok videos—those can be dangerously wrong. Even pharmacists sometimes need to check official databases when a pill doesn’t match known patterns. And if you’re ever unsure? Don’t guess. Don’t take it. Call your doctor or pharmacist. A few minutes of verification can prevent an ER visit.

This isn’t just about finding lost pills. It’s about safety when switching generics, spotting counterfeit drugs, or helping elderly parents manage multiple medications. You’ll see posts here that explain how to report suspicious pills, why some generics look totally different from the brand, and how to tell if a pill is fake based on tiny details like edge texture or shine. We cover real cases—like the time a woman took a counterfeit Xanax that turned out to be fentanyl—and how simple pill identification saved her life.

Below, you’ll find practical guides on how to read pill markings, what to do when you can’t find a match, and how common medications are labeled across brands. Whether you’re managing your own meds, helping someone else, or just want to know what that little pill in your pocket actually is—this collection gives you the tools to act safely, not just guess.