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

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