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DrugindexOnline2nd edition
Pill Identifier: Why and How to Identify Your Medication
Pharmacists and other health care professionals are diligent about ensuring that patients receive the correct medication. However, they are human, and once in a while they make mistakes. The doctor may prescribe the wrong dose or the wrong medication. Pharmacy staff may misinterpret the prescription or the wrong medication may be dispensed. There are several checks and balances to minimize medication errors, but sometimes the checks and balances fail. Medication errors can cause serious consequences.
What should you, the prudent consumer do to protect yourself? You should make sure that you have the correct medication. Before the Internet age, pill identification was accomplished by calling a pharmacy or using pill identification books at the local library or bookstore. The Internet has made it possible for anyone to use pill identifiers (pill finder), such as the Drug Index Online Pill Identifier, to ensure that they have the correct medication. You can identify drugs by imprint, color, shape, and brand or generic name. If you do not find a match, you should call your pharmacist. Some generic drugs are manufactured by several manufacturers, and pill identification databases may not have images of all the generic versions.
For pill identifiers to be valuable, you have to know the medication and strength you should have received. Therefore, start by understanding your condition and the medication and dose your doctor has prescribed for you. Using pill identifiers and knowing what medications your doctor has prescribed will prevent you from taking the wrong medication. Pharmacists are no longer the last line of defense against medication errors; consumers are.
Find a picture of your pill using the RxList Pill Identifier Tool. We've also provided Pill Identifier examples of commonly abused drugs and popular medications.
Below is a list of commonly searched medications, click on a link to read patient information on this drug, see pictures of the different pills prescribed, understand the potential side effects, how to take the medication, and what to do if you miss a dose.
- Ultram (tramadol)
- Xanax (alprazolam)
- Percocet (acetaminophen and oxycodone)
- Vicodin (acetaminophen and hydrocodone)
- Amoxil (amoxicillin)
- Prinivil (lisinopril)
- Accutane (isotretinoin)
- Deltasone (prednisone)
- Percocet (oxycodone)
- Neurontin (gabapentin)
- Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine)
- Ambien (zolpidem)
- Glucophage (metformin)
- Valium (diazepam)
- Ativan (lorazepam)
REFERENCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Recent Drug Updates at DrugIndexOnline:
Cardene injection
Generic Name: nicardipine hydrochloride
Dosage Form: Injection
Rx only
Description
Cardene (nicardipine HCl) is a calcium ion influx inhibitor (slow channel blocker or calcium channel blocker). Cardene I.V. for intravenous administration contains 2.5 mg/mL of nicardipine hydrochloride. Nicardipi
more...
Dermabet Topical
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
Alphatrex 3
Aristocort 20
Aristocort A 20
Betatrex 3
Beta-Val 3
Bio-Syn 9
Cordran 11
Cordran SP 11
Cormax 4
Cutivate 12
Cyclocort 1
Delta-Tritex 20
Dermabet 3
Dermatop 19
Diprolene 3
Diprolene AF 3
Diprosone 3
Elocon 18
Florone 7
Florone E
more...
lubiprostone
Generic Name: lubiprostone (loo bee PROS tone)
Brand Names: Amitiza
What is lubiprostone?
Lubiprostone increases the secretion of fluid in your intestines to help make it easier to
pass stools (bowel movements).
Lubiprostone is used to treat chronic constipation.
Lubiprostone may also be
more...
Nizoral
Generic name: Ketoconazole
Brand names: Nizoral
Why is Nizoral prescribed?
Nizoral, a broad-spectrum antifungal drug available in tablet form, may be given to treat several fungal infections within the body, including oral thrush and candidiasis.
It may also be given to treat severe, hard-to-tre
more...
Oxsoralen-Ultra
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
8-MOP
Oxsoralen-Ultra
In Canada—
Oxsoralen
Ultra MOP
Oxsoralen-Ultra
Category
Antineoplastic
Antipsoriatic, systemic
Hair growth stimulant, alopecia areata, systemic
Repigmenting agent, systemic
Description
Methoxsalen (met
more...
Phillips' Chewable Tablets
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
Almora 4
Chloromag 1
Citroma 2
Concentrated Phillips' Milk of Magnesia 5
Mag-200 7
Mag-L-100 1
Magonate 4
Mag-Ox 400 7
Mag-Tab SR 6
Magtrate 4
Maox 7
MGP 4
Phillips' Chewable Tablets 5
Phillips' Milk of Magnesia 5
Slow-Mag 1
Uro-Mag 7
In C
more...
Pram
Generic Name: chloroxylenol and pramoxine otic (klor OX leh nol and PRAH mox een)
Brand Names: Pram
What is Pram (chloroxylenol and pramoxine otic)?
Chloroxylenol is an antibiotic. Antibiotics fight bacteria in your body.
Pramoxine is a skin anesthetic. It is used to reduce itching and
more...
Pravastatin
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
Altoprev 4
Lescol 3
Lipitor 1
Mevacor 4
Pravachol 5
Zocor 6
Note:
Baycol was removed from the U.S. market by Bayer in August 2001.
In Canada—
Lescol 3
Mevacor 4
Pravachol 5
Zocor 6
Other commonly used names are:
Epistati
more...