Decoding Pill Imprints: What does 555 mean on a pill?

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, every prescription and over-the-counter pill is required to have an imprint—a combination of letters, numbers, or shapes—to help identify it. Therefore, asking what does 555 mean on a pill is a common and crucial question for medication safety, but the answer depends on other identifying factors like color and shape.

Quick Summary

The number 555 on a pill does not uniquely identify a single medication. It is a shared imprint code used on various prescription drugs, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and antipsychotics, depending on the pill's color and shape.

Key Points

Imprint is a shared code: The number 555 on a pill is an imprint code shared by multiple medications and does not identify a single drug.
Additional details are vital: To accurately identify a pill with the 555 imprint, you must also know its color, shape, and any other symbols or numbers.
Common examples include Bupropion and Carbamazepine: Medications such as the antidepressant Bupropion and the anticonvulsant Carbamazepine use the 555 imprint on different colored and shaped pills.
Use reliable identification tools: Reputable online pill identifiers that allow you to search by imprint, color, and shape are the most effective non-professional method.
Consult a professional for certainty: For absolute confirmation, especially for prescription medications, always consult a pharmacist or your prescribing physician.
Never take an unknown pill: If you find an unidentified pill, do not take it, as improper identification can lead to serious health risks.

Why a Single Number Isn't Enough for Pill Identification

Unlike an ID number for a single person, a pill's imprint is not always a unique identifier on its own. For the 555 imprint, it is crucial to also consider the pill's color and shape to narrow down the possibilities. Many different drug manufacturers can use the same or similar numbers in their imprint codes. For example, some imprints combine numbers with manufacturer logos or other letters, such as 555 MYLAN for Naproxen or RX 555 for Raniclor, further highlighting the need for complete information. Proper pill identification is a matter of medication safety, preventing mix-ups, and ensuring that you are taking the correct dose of the intended drug.

Common Medications Associated with the 555 Imprint

Based on reliable pill identification databases, several medications carry the 555 imprint. Below are some of the most frequently searched examples:

Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release (SR) 200 mg: This medication appears as an orange, round pill with the imprint 555. It is an antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder, and it is also prescribed for smoking cessation.
Carbamazepine Extended-Release 100 mg: This medication is a white, round tablet with the imprint 555. It is a dibenzazepine anticonvulsant and is not a controlled substance. Carbamazepine is used to treat conditions such as epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and trigeminal neuralgia.
Olanzapine 15 mg: This is a yellow, oval pill with the imprint 555. As an atypical antipsychotic, Olanzapine is used to treat major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Buspirone Hydrochloride 15 mg: This drug can appear as a white, capsule-shaped, or oblong pill with the imprint 5 5 5 (with spaces). It is a miscellaneous anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic, used to treat anxiety and panic disorders.
Pregabalin 50 mg: A brown and white, capsule-shaped pill with the imprint 555 50mg is identified as Pregabalin. It is used for neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain.

Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying a Pill

To correctly identify an unknown pill with the number 555 or any other imprint, follow these steps systematically:

Check all physical characteristics: Look beyond the number. Note the pill's exact color, shape, and any other markings. A number alone, like 555, is often not enough.
Use a reliable online pill identifier: Reputable websites like Drugs.com or Medicine.com provide search tools that allow you to input the imprint, color, and shape. This is the most effective method for a quick, initial identification.
Consult a pharmacist: If you are unsure or have any doubts, do not take the medication. A pharmacist can accurately identify the pill and tell you what it is used for.
Contact the prescribing physician: If the pill was prescribed to you, your doctor's office can confirm what medication you were prescribed and what it looks like.

Comparison Table of Common '555' Pills


Imprint	Color	Shape	Medication	Use
555	Orange	Round	Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release (SR) 200 mg	Depression, Smoking Cessation, ADHD
555	White	Round	Carbamazepine Extended-Release 100 mg	Epilepsy, Bipolar Disorder
555	Yellow	Oval	Olanzapine 15 mg	Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
5 5 5	White	Capsule/Oblong	Buspirone Hydrochloride 15 mg	Anxiety, Panic Disorder
555 50mg	Brown & White	Capsule/Oblong	Pregabalin 50 mg	Neuropathic Pain, Fibromyalgia
555 MYLAN	White	Elliptical / Oval	Naproxen 375 mg	Pain, Inflammation (NSAID)
RX 555	Yellow	Round	Raniclor (Cefaclor) 125 mg	Bacterial Infections (Antibiotic)

The Importance of Safe Medication Handling

Properly identifying your medication is a critical aspect of patient safety. Taking the wrong drug or an incorrect dosage can lead to serious health complications, drug interactions, or adverse side effects. While online tools are helpful, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always store your medications in their original, labeled containers and keep them out of reach of children and pets. If you find a pill and cannot definitively identify it, do not take it, and dispose of it safely.

Conclusion

In summary, the number 555 on a pill is an imprint code that must be evaluated in conjunction with the pill's other characteristics, such as its color and shape, to be accurately identified. It does not refer to a single medication but can be associated with several different drugs, including Bupropion, Carbamazepine, Olanzapine, and others. The most reliable way to identify a pill is to use a comprehensive pill identification tool or to consult a healthcare professional. Taking the time to properly identify any unknown medication is a crucial step in protecting your health and well-being. This information is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific information about a drug, it is always best to consult with a pharmacist or physician.

For more information on pill identification, visit Drugs.com's Pill Identifier at: https://www.drugs.com/imprints.php.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, based on the color and shape, the 555 imprint is associated with several non-opioid medications, including the antidepressant Bupropion and the anticonvulsant Carbamazepine. Always verify the specific pill's characteristics with a pill identifier.

An orange, round pill with the imprint '555' is Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release (SR) 200 mg, an antidepressant medication.

A white, round pill with the imprint '555' is Carbamazepine Extended-Release 100 mg, an anticonvulsant used for conditions like epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

You can differentiate between different '555' pills by their color and shape. For example, the orange round one is Bupropion, while the white round one is Carbamazepine.

No, it is not safe to take a pill based only on the number 555. You must also confirm its color, shape, and dosage to ensure you have the correct medication and to avoid potentially dangerous mix-ups.

A yellow, oval pill with the imprint '555' is Olanzapine 15 mg, an atypical antipsychotic.

Yes, different pharmaceutical manufacturers can use the same or similar numbers in their imprint codes. This is why other characteristics like color and shape are essential for accurate identification.

If the imprint includes additional text, like 555 MYLAN on a white elliptical pill, it specifically identifies Naproxen 375 mg from the manufacturer Mylan Pharmaceuticals. This emphasizes that the full imprint is important.

Do not take the pill. Use a reliable pill identifier with the color and shape, consult a pharmacist, or properly dispose of the medication at a designated drug take-back location.