Amoxicillin is a widely prescribed antibiotic in the penicillin class, used to treat various bacterial infections, including those affecting the ears, nose, throat, skin, and urinary tract. Because this medication is so common, understanding its physical appearance is important for patient safety and to prevent medication errors. Correctly identifying your prescription ensures you are taking the right drug at the correct dosage for effective treatment. The appearance of amoxicillin can vary significantly, making it helpful to know the standard forms and key identifying features.
The Common Forms of Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is primarily available in three common formats for oral use, each with a distinct general appearance. The most recognizable form is the capsule, which consists of a shell containing the powdered medication. These capsules are typically oblong and utilize two separate parts that fit together, often in two different colors or a single solid color.
The tablet is another common format, consisting of a solid, compressed dose of medication. Tablets are often round or oval-shaped and may be film-coated for easier swallowing or to mask the taste. The final common presentation is the powder for oral suspension, a flavored liquid designed for patients, especially children, who have difficulty swallowing pills. The pharmacist reconstitutes this powder with water, resulting in a liquid that is usually a light color like pink or yellow with a consistency similar to syrup.
Identifying Features: Color, Shape, and Imprints
The specific color, shape, and unique imprint codes are the most reliable way to identify amoxicillin in its solid forms. Amoxicillin capsules are frequently seen in shades of pink, yellow, or beige, and are often two-toned (e.g., pink and blue or red and yellow). Common dosages, such as the 500-milligram capsule, may appear as a beige or brown oblong shape with a specific manufacturer’s code.
Amoxicillin tablets, often in 500 mg or 875 mg strengths, are typically white or pink and usually oval-shaped. For example, a 500 mg tablet might be a white oval imprinted with a code like “93 2263.” The most definitive feature for identification is the imprint code, a unique sequence of letters, numbers, or symbols pressed into the tablet or capsule shell. This code is required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and serves as the pharmaceutical fingerprint, confirming the exact drug, strength, and manufacturer.
Factors Causing Pill Appearance Variations
The wide range of colors, shapes, and imprints results directly from pharmaceutical manufacturing practices. The appearance of the medication changes based on whether it is a brand-name drug or a generic equivalent. Every manufacturer uses different inactive ingredients, such as dyes and fillers, which determine the final color of the pill.
Dosage strength is another factor causing variations in appearance. A 250-milligram tablet will often be smaller or have a different color than an 875-milligram tablet from the same company. Different formulations also affect the look, such as a chewable tablet being pale pink and flavored compared to a standard film-coated tablet. Since pharmacies frequently switch between manufacturers for generic medications, it is normal for a refill to look different from the initial prescription, even though the active ingredient remains the same.
What to Do If Your Medication Looks Different (Safety Verification)
If your amoxicillin looks unfamiliar upon opening a new prescription or refill, avoid taking it until you confirm its identity. The definitive method for safety verification is to use the unique imprint code found on the surface of the tablet or capsule. This code is the only reliable way to distinguish between two pills that may appear similar in color and shape.
You can enter the imprint code, along with the pill’s color and shape, into an online pill identification tool. This tool compares the information against the FDA’s database of approved medications. If the pill is unmarked or if the verification tool returns an uncertain result, immediately contact your pharmacist. A pharmacist can visually inspect the pill and verify it against the label and prescription record.