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Pill Identifier: Common Drugs You May Find

Knowing what common drugs look like could help you to stay safe.

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In a 12-month period ending April 2021, more than 100,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States. Many of these people died from prescription drug overdoses. 

A pill identifier could enable you to steer clear of pills that simply aren’t safe for you.

But remember that dealers also have access to pill identifiers. With a little creativity, a dealer could make pills that look authentic but contain harmful ingredients. The only way to truly stay safe is to stay sober. 

With that warning in place, let’s discuss what common drugs look like. 

Central Nervous System Depressants

Prescription medications in this class slow brain activity. People with anxiety disorders and sleeping issues can benefit from the drowsy feelings these drugs produce. But some people abuse them for that relaxed sensation. 

Drug nameDosageVisual Description
Ambien5 mg
10 mg
Oblong, orange pill. Stamped with “AMB” and the dose.
Halcion0.25 mgCircular, blue-colored pills. Stamped with the word “Halcion” and the dose.
Klonopin0.5 mg
1 mg
2 mg
Orange
Blue
White
All colors stamped “Klonopin” on one side and “Roche” on the other.
Librium5 mg
10 mg
25 mg
Tablets or gel caps. Stamped with the word “Librium” on them.
Prozac10 mg
20 mg
40 mg
Gel caps imprinted with “Dista” on the side.
Thorazine10 mg
25 mg
100 mg
200 mg
Capsules with opaque orange caps or round, orange tablets.
Valium2 mg
5 mg
10 mg
Round, flat, tablets with a V notched out of the top. The word “Valium” appears on the front, and the word “Roche” is on the back.
Xanax0.25 mg
0.5 mg
1 mg
2mg
0.5 mg (XR)
1 mg (XR)
2 mg (XR)
3 mg (XR)
Typically light pink or purple. Standard doses are marked “Xanax” with the pill strength. XR versions are stamped with an “X” on one side and the dose on the other.

CNS Stimulants

Boosts of alertness, attention, and energy come with each dose of CNS stimulants. Conditions like narcolepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and asthma can be addressed with these prescription drugs. But these medications can also cause feelings of euphoria, which makes them attractive targets for abuse.

Illegal forms of CNS stimulants are available in pill form, including methamphetamine. These pills can look like anything at all, as they’re made by dealers in illegal drug laboratories. 

Drug nameDosageVisual Description
Adderall 5 mg
7.5 mg
10 mg
12.5 mg
15 mg
20 mg
30 mg
White, blue, or orange tablets. Stamped with “AD” on one side and the dose on the other. Round and oblong shapes are available. 
Concerta 18 mg
27 mg
36 mg
54 mg
Oblong pills that are white, yellow, or orange. Stamped with “Alza” and the dose on the same side. 
Dexedrine Spansule5 mg
10 mg
15 mg
Capsules with a brown cap and a clear body. Each is stamped with the dosage. 
Ritalin 5 mg
10 mg
20 mg
Yellow, white, or green tablets. Stamped with “CIBA” on one side and the dose on the other.
Provigil 100 mg
200 mg
White tablets stamped with “Provigil” on one side and the dose on the other.

Hallucinogens

Segments of your brain incorporate stimuli from your senses and bring them to your consciousness. Hallucinogens disrupt this process and cause a sense of floating. Plenty of illicit versions of hallucinogens exist, but there are some forms available from pharmacists.

Drug nameDosageVisual Description
DextromethorphanVaries (this over-the-counter medication is in all kinds of products)Varies
EcstasyVaries (this drug is made by dealers)Varies (this illegal drug could look like anything)
KetamineVariesBlue or pink round capsules. Oblong white pills are also available. 

Narcotics

Of the 0.5 million overdose deaths linked to drugs, more than 70 percent are caused by prescription painkillers. These medications can be critical for people in severe pain from cancer and other difficult conditions. But these same drugs are often abused by people who want the euphoria they can cause. 

Know that many drugs you buy from dealers may look legitimate, but they could contain fentanyl. This prescription painkiller is lethal at doses as small as 2 mg. A pill that seems safe could kill you very quickly. 

Drug nameDosageVisual Description
Codeine15 mg
30 mg
60 mg
White tablet stamped with “54” and three more numbers, depending on the dose.
Darvon65 mgPink capsules stamped with “Darvon.”
Demerol50 mg
100 mg
White, scored tablets stamped with “W” on one side.
Methadone10 mgRound, white tablets stamped with “ASC 116” on the side.
Morphine15 mg
30 mg
60 mg
100 mg
200 mg
Round tablets that are blue, lavender, orange, gray, or green depending on the dose.
OxyContin10 mg
15 mg
20 mg
30 mg
40 mg
60 mg
80 mg
Round tablets that are white, gray, pink, brown, yellow, red, or green depending on the dose. All are stamped “OP” on one side and the dose on the other.
Vicodin10 mgWhite, oval-shaped tablet stamped “Vicodin HP” on one side.

Don’t See Your Pill Here?

Thousands of pills line pharmacists’ shelves, and plenty more are made in dealer’s laboratories every day. We’ve compiled many here, but there are others available. 

These additional pill-checker sites may help:

Profile image for Dr. Alison Tarlow
Medically Reviewed By Dr. Alison Tarlow

Dr. Alison Tarlow is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the States of Florida and Pennsylvania, and a Certified Addictions Professional (CAP). She has been a practicing psychologist for over 15 years. Sh... Read More

Updated October 16, 2023
Resources
  1. Drug Overdose Deaths in the U.S. Top 100,000 Annually. (November 2021). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  2. Prescription CNS Depressants: Drug Facts. (March 2018). National Institute on Drug Abuse.
  3. Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants and Stimulants. (January 2018). Spine Universe.
  4. Hallucinogens: Drug Facts. (November 2021). National Institute on Drug Abuse.
  5. Opioid Overdose. (August 2021). World Health Organization.
  6. Facts About Fentanyl. United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
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