This means they can contain toxic, unregulated, or banned substances. Not being able to find an imprint code or logo within Pill Finder should be taken as a warning.
Either do not take the medicine or take it to your doctor or pharmacist and see if they can identify it. Many prescription medications that have been approved by the FDA are commonly abused, such as painkillers, anti-anxiety benzodiazepines, or stimulants, and these can be identified within Pill Finder by entering the imprint codes, colors or shapes.
Unfortunately, counterfeit pill presses are readily available, and individuals with ill intent can turn any ingredient, either legal or illegal into a counterfeit medication that may resemble a legitimate product. Many even attempt to copy the logo or imprint, but there are usually subtle differences that distinguish legitimate medicine from the counterfeit one.
If you think your medicine may be counterfeit, take it into your doctor or pharmacist to be checked. Of grave concern is the number of illegal medicines in circulation that contain cheaply imported fentanyl-like substances. These are highly toxic with deaths reported after a single pill. Imprint, drug name, or NDC code. M What if my pill has a logo?
Being able to identify a lone tablet or a collection of capsules is useful in several different situations, for example: A person has found a pill in their house that does not look familiar and wishes to identify it. A person taking several medications has mixed them up in their pill case and needs to work out which one is which. Your pharmacy has given you medicine that looks different to the one that you normally take.
Law enforcement officers have found a collection of pills during a personal property search and wish to identify them. A person has been found unconscious and pills have been found in their pockets that need to be identified. A person has been brought into the hospital with loose pills in a pill case but is not sure what they take.
A caregiver has been asked to give a certain pill to the person they are looking after but is confused about which pill it is. What if my pill does not have an imprint code? If your medicine does NOT have a unique imprint, it may be because it: Is a vitamin or other dietary supplement. Is an investigational medicine that is part of a controlled trial that is comparing its effects to a placebo pretend drug.
Is a medicine that has been compounded by a licensed pharmacist upon receipt of a valid prescription specifically for you. Is a radiopharmaceutical product. Is an illegal drug of abuse. Is a foreign medication. Is a counterfeit drug. Has an exemption from the FDA because of its size, shape, or physical characteristics make imprinting technologically infeasible or impossible.
Has an exemption from the FDA because it is not provided to patients for self-administration and only used in controlled healthcare settings. If you don't want to do that, then throw it away. However, it's important that you properly dispose of drugs. Do not just toss it in the trash because another person or an animal may find it and ingest it, causing potentially serious problems.
As tempting as it may be, do not flush pills down the toilet, either. Flushing medications can pollute nearby waterways, which you use every day for drinking and bathing. It also has a significant impact on the environment, including fish and wildlife.
A better option is to take the pill and any unused medications you no longer need to an authorized U. It's never a good idea to take any pill that you're not prescribed or that you don't buy directly over-the-counter OTC.
It is even less advisable to take a drug when you don't know what it is. It's always best to talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any medication. Various medications, dietary supplements, and alternative remedies can cause serious health problems, even if they're approved for use or OTC.
By taking an unknown pill, you are running the risk of drug interactions, complications of medical conditions you have, and counterfeit drugs that are not regulated. The FDA is a great resource for advice about safely taking medications.
Just remember: if you don't know it, don't swallow it. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Updated April 1, Geological Survey. Pharmaceuticals in water. Where and how to dispose of unused medicines.
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Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Updated April 1, U. Related Articles. How to Crush Pills Safely and Correctly. How Carcinoid Tumor Is Treated. Best Online Pharmacies of Hard Time Swallowing Pills?
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