Ever find a few mystery pills in the bottom of your purse—or worse, in a place your kid or pet may have gotten into? Fortunately every medication has its own distinctive shape, color, and markings, so it’s possible to identify a lost pill. The Poison Control Centers have a pill identifier that can help.
If there’s a number printed on the pill, plug it in and you’ll have the answer. Otherwise, select its shape and color. The tool will show you all the pills that match that description. There’s also a search that goes the other way: you can put in the name of the drug, and see pictures of all the ways it’s packaged into pill form.
Poison Control provides these services with suspected poisonings in mind, including the scenario where you’ve taken pills and then thought “Wait, are these the right ones?” Maybe you got your prescription refilled and the pills don’t look the same—are they just a different generic or did the pharmacy screw up?
With this tool, it’s easier to find out. You can also call your pharmacy for help with your own prescriptions, or call your doctor for questions about medication. And if you think somebody may have taken a wrong or dangerous dose, you can always call Poison Control 24/7 at (800) 222-1222 or use their online tool.