Understanding the white oval pill with G037 on it: What pill has G037 on it?

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), approximately 2 out of every 5 counterfeit pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. This statistic underscores the critical importance of being able to identify legitimate medication, especially when you encounter a pill with the imprint G037, a combination opioid analgesic with significant risks.

Quick Summary

The G037 pill is a white, oval tablet containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen used for moderate-to-severe pain. Classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, it carries a high risk of addiction and overdose. It is crucial to be aware of the dangers associated with counterfeit versions often laced with lethal substances like fentanyl.

Key Points

G037 is an opioid painkiller: The white, oval G037 pill contains a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen for treating moderate to severe pain.
Former Lortab brand: The pill was previously sold under the brand name Lortab, but since the pill form has been discontinued, any G037 pills sold illicitly are likely counterfeit.
High risk of counterfeit pills: Illegal drug traffickers create counterfeit pills that appear identical to legitimate medication but often contain lethal amounts of fentanyl.
Potential for addiction and overdose: As a Schedule II controlled substance, the G037 pill carries a high risk of dependence and overdose, especially when misused or taken with other substances.
Serious liver damage risk: Taking excessive amounts of acetaminophen, a component of the G037 pill, can cause severe liver damage or death.
Strict safety precautions are vital: Always get medication from a licensed pharmacy, never share your prescription, and safely store and dispose of opioid products to prevent misuse.
Beware of illicit sources: Do not buy any medication from online sellers, social media, or other non-licensed sources, as these pills may be fake and deadly.

What is the G037 pill?

Before taking any medication, including a pill with the imprint G037, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it is appropriate for your specific needs and to understand the proper usage. This information is for general knowledge and should not be considered medical advice.

The white, oval-shaped pill with the imprint G037 on one side is a combination medication containing hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. It belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotic analgesic combinations and is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Formerly sold under the brand name Lortab, the G037 pill is now typically a generic product. This medication is a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse, misuse, and addiction.

The active ingredients: How they work

Hydrocodone: An opioid pain reliever that works by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. This alters the brain's perception of pain and emotional response to it, providing powerful pain relief.
Acetaminophen: A non-opioid pain reliever and fever reducer that enhances the analgesic effects of hydrocodone. It helps to reduce pain signals and can lower fever.

Important warnings and precautions

Because the G037 pill contains a powerful opioid and acetaminophen, it comes with significant risks that require careful handling. It is critical for patients to follow their healthcare provider's directions precisely to avoid complications.

Counterfeit pill epidemic

Significant Risk: With the original Lortab pill discontinued, any G037 pills sold outside of a licensed pharmacy are likely fake.
Deadly Contamination: Drug trafficking networks often produce counterfeit pills that look identical to real prescription drugs but contain lethal amounts of illicit substances, most commonly fentanyl. The DEA warns that 2 out of every 5 tested pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose.
Serious Consequences: Ingesting a counterfeit pill, even once, can lead to fatal overdose due to the unknown and unregulated potency of illicit fentanyl.

Prescription misuse and dependence

Addiction Potential: Hydrocodone is habit-forming, and prolonged use can lead to physical dependence and addiction. Patients may develop tolerance, requiring careful management of medication.
Withdrawal Symptoms: Abruptly stopping this medication in a physically dependent individual can cause withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, muscle aches, anxiety, and insomnia. Your doctor will create a plan for tapering your dose safely.

Understanding the risks of misuse

The misuse of opioid combination pills is a serious public health issue. Identifying patterns of misuse can help prevent dangerous outcomes for patients and their communities.

Using More Than Prescribed: Taking higher doses or more frequent doses than directed significantly increases the risk of addiction and overdose.
Combining with Other Substances: Taking the G037 pill with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants can dangerously slow or stop your breathing.
Obtaining from Non-Licensed Sources: Pills purchased from illicit online markets or the street are not safe and may be counterfeit, with unpredictable and potentially fatal contents.

Comparison of legitimate G037 and other acetaminophen/hydrocodone products


Feature	Legitimate G037 Pill	Counterfeit G037 Pill	Generic Alternatives (e.g., Norco)
Appearance	White, capsule/oblong, 16mm, imprint 'G 037'	Varies widely, may look identical to legitimate pills	Varies by manufacturer (e.g., imprint 'WATSON 853', 'M367')
Source	Prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, dispensed by a licensed pharmacy	Illicit drug dealers, online marketplaces, or social media	Prescription from a licensed healthcare provider, dispensed by a licensed pharmacy
Active Ingredients	Standardized dose: hydrocodone, acetaminophen	Content is unregulated and unknown; may contain fentanyl, meth, or other substances	Standardized dose; varies by strength
Safety	Managed risk with proper medical supervision	High risk of overdose, potential for death from lethal, unregulated ingredients	Managed risk with proper medical supervision

Safe medication use and counterfeit prevention

To protect yourself and your family, it is crucial to take all medications responsibly. The following list of practices is recommended for anyone prescribed an opioid combination pain reliever like the G037 pill.

Only obtain medication from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription from a trusted medical professional.
Never share or sell your medication with others.
Keep all prescription medications, especially controlled substances, in a secure, locked container, safely out of sight and reach of children and others.
Be aware of the signs of misuse and overdose and have a plan for emergency intervention, including access to naloxone.
Safely dispose of any unused or expired opioid medication at a designated drug take-back location.

Conclusion

The white oval pill with the imprint G037 is a potent opioid painkiller containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen, used for moderate to severe pain relief. While it is a legitimate medication when obtained from a licensed pharmacy, its status as a discontinued Lortab brand pill makes it a target for counterfeiters. The proliferation of fake pills laced with deadly fentanyl is a major public health crisis. Therefore, it is imperative to secure your medication, only purchase from trusted sources, and never take a pill you cannot verify. Prioritizing proper medication management is the best way to ensure safety and prevent serious harm from illicit substances disguised as prescription drugs.

Understanding Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen from the Cleveland Clinic provides further details on safe usage and potential risks.

Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or if you have questions about your current medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

The G037 pill is a combination medication containing hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. It is a narcotic analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain.

No, the pill form of the original brand-name product, Lortab, was discontinued. Any pills with the 'G037' imprint sold outside of a licensed pharmacy are likely counterfeit and may contain dangerous, unlisted substances like fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid, significantly stronger than morphine. Drug traffickers often press it into counterfeit pills to mimic legitimate medications. Because these illicit pills are unregulated, they can contain lethal doses of fentanyl, posing a severe overdose risk.

Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. More serious side effects can occur, including respiratory depression and severe liver damage.

It is virtually impossible to distinguish a real G037 pill from a counterfeit one just by looking at it, as fake pills are designed to look identical. The only way to ensure safety is to obtain medication from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription.

Excessive doses of acetaminophen, a component of the G037 pill, can cause severe liver damage or failure. Symptoms include nausea, upper stomach pain, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Keep all opioid medications, including the G037 pill, in a locked container, safely out of reach of others. When disposing of it, use a designated drug take-back location. Do not flush medications down the toilet unless explicitly instructed to do so.

Both G037 and Vicodin contain a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, used for pain relief. However, they are distinct medications, often differing in the specific amounts of each active ingredient and other formulation aspects. It is important to know which specific medication and strength you have.