Online Pill Identifier
Our favorite
pill identifier will let you quickly find out the name of many prescription
drugs. Take the risky guesswork out discovering the type of pills you have with
these great online helpers.
It is common to find old
prescription medication you may have not taken in awhile. Many times they are
taken out of their original container and put in a pillbox which makes pill
identification difficult. A pill identifier can take the guesswork out of pill
identification.
You will need to gather some information about the pill, capsule, or tablet to properly identify it. Most prescription medication has a code imprinted on it (usually numbers, letters, or a combination of both) write down this code. Accurately determine the color of the pill, capsule, or tablet.
Using a Pill Identifier
The code you have taken from the prescription medication will need to be entered into the pill identifier. Next, find the correct color of the medication from the menu. Finally, as best you can, choose the shape of the pill, capsule, or tablet from the menu options. It is also possible to identify the shape by looking at the database of pictures.
Once identified, you should either discard the prescription medication or make sure you properly label it for future use. Keep in mind most doctors and pharmacists suggest not to use prescription medication that does not have an expiration date clearly marked on it.
Unfortunately many parents find pills in their children’s room
or clothing. Using a pill identifier will usually confirm or put to rest any
concerns the parents have. If the pill does not show up in the database, one can
always consult with a pharmacist or if necessary law enforcement officials.
The Future of Pill Identification
The pill identifier has been an important tool for the consumer and professionals alike for some time. However, with the huge growth of generic drugs in a many shapes and colors, and from many different manufactures, pill identification is getting increasingly difficult, even with a good pill identifier.
Standardization of pills containing the same medication would be ideal. However, it most likely not a practical solution in such a competitive industry. Even if the industry came together you would still have to overcome obstacles for those who are color blind or visually impaired. Color coding or small imprinted letters or numbers are of little use for those people even if they have access to a pill identifier.
There is probably one company looking into applying a very
small bar code to the pill that contains medical and pill identification
information. When the bar code is scanned the information about the prescription
medication will be displayed or vocalized.
Combine this with a computer link, pill identification database, internal time clock, and you have very powerful tool to help patients taking prescription medication. The built in timing mechanism could not only record when the patient’s last took their prescription, but it could also be use to alert them when their next dose is to be taken.
Clearly this type of device would be used by the doctor to help the patient, and the pharmacist who is helping to deliver and answer questions about the medication. The pill identifier is an important tool, but clearly the above technology will have an important place with pill identification.
The information on the website should not be taken or considered as any kind of medical advice. For medical advice of any kind, including advice for prescription medication or pill identification, please consult with a licensed physician.
You will find our favorite pill identifier programs online at:
http://www.rxlist.com/pill-identification-tool/article.htm
http://www.muschealth.com/DI/DrugIdentifier