RxList Pill Identification Tool

Reviewed on 1/24/2025

Having trouble identifying prescription, over-the-counter (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.


  • Rectangle
  • Diamond
  • 3 Sided
  • 5 Sided
  • 6 Sided
  • 7 Sided
  • 8 Sided
  • Other

Need help with the pill finder? Click for instructions.

Pill Identification from a Doctor's Perspective

Medical Author:

In the emergency room, I have seen patients who have either taken the wrong medication or the wrong dose of medication. Medication errors are a common problem that can cause serious consequences. Doctors and pharmacists are diligent in making sure patients receive the correct medication, but mistakes can 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 medical conditions.

The RxList Pill Identifier Tool will help you identify prescription, over-the-counter (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 Identification Tool.

  • 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 * (i.e.: 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

Gabapentin 215mg

Gabapentin 100 mg Cap-IVA

capsule, yellow, imprinted with 215
© First Databank, Inc.

Duloxetine Hcl 60 mg

Duloxetine Hcl 60 mg

capsule, blue and yellow, imprinted with 60 mg, 1111
© First Databank, Inc.

Zocor 5 mg

Zocor 5 mg

brick red, 80 mg, imprinted with 543, 80
© First Databank, Inc.

Celexa 20 mg

Celexa 10 mg

round, red, imprinted with MX 32
© First Databank, Inc.

Topamax 200 mg

Topamax 200 mg

round, peach, imprinted with OMN, 200
© First Databank, Inc.

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 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 Atorvaliq, Lipitor atorvastatin Used to lower LDA ("bad") cholesterol
2 Glucophage, Riomet, Glumetza metformin Used to treat symptoms of type 2 diabetes
3 Qbrelis, Zestril, Prinivil lisinopril Used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
4 Synthroid, Tirosint, Unithroid levothyroxine Used to treat hypothyroidism
5 Norvasc amlodipine Used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
6 Lopressor, Toprol XL metoprolol Used to treat the symptoms of hypertension, heart attack, congestive heart failure, angina
7 AccuNeb, ProAir Respiclick, Ventolin HFA, VoSpire ER, Proventil HFA albuterol Used to treat asthma symptoms
8 Cozaar losartan Used to treat high blood pressure and to help protect kidneys from damage due to diabetes
9 Gralise Neurontin gabapentin Used to relieve nerve pain following shingles in adults (post herpetic neuralgia)
10 Zoloft sertraline Used to treat depression in adults and additional mental health conditions

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 atorvastatin diarrhea, runny/stuffy nose, joint pain, insomnia
2 metformin low blood sugar, nausea, upset stomach
3 lisinopril anxiety, dizziness, cough, headache, diarrhea
4 levothyroxine chest pain, joint pain, flushing, fast heart rate, palpitations, irregular heartbeat
5 amlodipine swelling (edema), headache, fatigue, palpitations, dizziness
6 metoprolol dizziness, tiredness, depression, confusion, memory problems, trouble sleeping
7 albuterol increased blood pressure, nervousness, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, headache, dizzines
8 losartan fatigue, low blood sugar, urinary tract infection (UTI), chest pain, diarrhea
9 gabapentin lack of muscle coordination, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, double vision
10 sertraline diarrhea, nausea, headache, insomnia, dizziness

*N/V means nausea and vomiting

REFERENCES: ClinCalc DrugStats Database.

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

Zolpidem Tartrate 10 mg

Zolpidem Tartrate 10 mg

white, round, imprinted with Teva 74
© First Databank, Inc.

Oxycontin 10 mg

Oxycontin 10 mg

PUR04101: This medicine is a white, round, film-coated, tablet imprinted with "OP" and "10".
© First Databank, Inc.

MS Contin 15 mg

MS Contin, 15 mg

round, blue, imprinted with M 15, PF
© First Databank, Inc.

Ativan 1 mg

tivan 1 mg

five-sided, white, imprinted with A BPI 64
© First Databank, Inc.

Methadose 40 mg

Methadose 40 mg

round, white, imprinted with Methadose 40
© First Databank, Inc.

Xanax 0.5 mg

Xanax 0.5 mg

pentagon, white, imprinted with X 0.5
© First Databank, Inc.

Diazepam 2 mg

Diazepam 2 mg

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN 271
© First Databank, Inc.

Adderall 15 mg

Adderall 15 mg

peach, oval, multi-scored, tablet imprinted with 15 and d p
© First Databank, Inc.

Concerta 18 mg

Concerta 18 mg

oblong, yellow, imprinted with alza 18
© First Databank, Inc.

Ritalin 5 mg

Ritalin 5 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with CIBA, 7
© First Databank, Inc.

Oxandrin 2.5 mg

Oxandrin 2.5 mg

oval, white, imprinted with BTG, 11 11
© First Databank, Inc.

Please note that any drugs that show an expired or past expiration date should be discarded. Many pharmacies now have a drug discard box at their locations so you can safely dispose of the outdated medications.

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.