Pills are solid pharmaceutical oral dosage forms. Their shapes vary, from round, oblong and disc-shaped forms. Some even feature an imprinted line along their center for easier splitting in half.
Pills may consist of synthetic chemicals manufactured in laboratories, like ibuprofen or penicillin; natural substances, like plants and microorganisms; or biologics; each type has binding preferences for certain structures.
Shape
Pills are solid pharmaceutical oral dosage forms used for oral consumption. Their origin dates back to when medicines were ground up and rolled by hand or machine into small lumps for distribution; today the term refers more commonly to any solid medicine tablet, including capsules.
Pills typically take the shape of round and oval tablets, though other shapes such as those featuring sharp corners or having scores may also exist. Their shape often correlates to their claimed benefits – for instance, stimulating drugs tend to have round shapes while calming medications like alprazolam tend to have more angular or oval structures.
Shape can impact how easy a pill is to swallow. Many people struggle with swallowing tablets and capsules, with certain shapes more challenging than others. To make swallowing simpler, take a big gulp of water before placing the pill into your mouth or coat it with lubricant gel; both approaches will reduce discomfort as it slides down into your stomach.
Color
Color is a powerful asset for pharmaceutical companies, creating emotional appeal while simultaneously communicating its function and helping consumers distinguish one drug from the next. But does color really make a difference?
Before the middle of the 1900s, prescription pills were predominantly round and white in hue. Even over-the-counter remedies like Pepto-Bismol had this same trait.
Researchers discovered that colors have an enormous influence on the expected efficacies of pills. A white pill was most often associated with pain relief while yellow was seen to promote antacid efficacies. These findings can be leveraged when designing pills and marketing them to specific demographics.
Even though evidence supports these results, further research needs to be conducted at various demographics in order to ascertain whether these patterns are universal or specific to certain groups. Health officials have become concerned over a proliferation of multicolored pills purporting to be pharmaceutical grade yet contain illicit fentanyl which is much stronger than what pharmaceutical-grade opioid drugs contain.
Imprint
Most pills feature an identification code from the Food and Drug Administration that specifies which medication they contain. You’ll typically find these codes either on the front or back, although some drugs have them both sides.
When it comes to drugs that you cannot read the imprint code for, turn to pill identifier tools for assistance. They usually list both generic or brand name as well as dosage information about medications taken. You can use these tools as well to double check that any unintended medicines entered your body.
Pills may be hard to distinguish just based on size, shape and color alone; if you need help in recognizing one, contact your physician or pharmacist. Also follow any recommended guidelines regarding proper disposal of unneeded medication.
