How to Identify a Drug by the Imprint
- 1). Place the unidentified pill in a plastic sandwich bag with a zipper closure. This will protect the pill from damage due to moisture.
- 2). Enter the drug's imprint information into a pill identification website. Also enter any other available information, such as shape and color. The website will generate the drug type and dosage based on the imprint.
- 3). Check the pill imprint against prescription drug fact sheets that are provided with every prescription. These fact sheets include a photograph of the pill, along with information on the drug and its side effects.
- 4). Compare the pill's imprint to the imprint on other drugs in the home, including over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs. This is a good way to identify the pill if you suspect it came from your own medicine cabinet. If the pill looks the same and has the same imprint as another identified pill, it's a match.
- 5). Bring the pill to a local pharmacy and consult the pharmacist. Pharmacists have extensive knowledge in this area, and many have access to computer programs that enable them to look up a drug by its description, including the imprint code.
- 6). Consult a medication dictionary, which are available online, at bookstores and at libraries. These reference books contain a photo and description of the medication, along with information on the drug's use and side effects. If you have a suspicion about the type of medication, begin by researching these drugs. Otherwise, you'll need to flip through the book and compare the imprint to the drugs pictured.
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