What is a pink pill with 44 on it? Identifying medications and staying safe

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), every FDA-approved tablet or capsule must have a unique imprint code to prevent confusion. Therefore, a “pink pill with 44 on it” is not a singular drug, but rather a description that could apply to several different medications, depending on its other markings and shape.

Quick Summary

Several medications can match the description of a pink pill with '44' on it, but the specific imprint and shape are crucial for proper identification. The article details common possibilities like Diphenhydramine (antihistamine), Fexofenadine (antihistamine), and Naproxen (NSAID). It emphasizes the dangers of self-identifying and taking unknown medications, providing steps for safe verification through authoritative resources.

Key Points

Multiple Identities: A pink pill with '44' is not a single medication; its specific identity depends on the full imprint code and shape.
Common Candidates: Potential drugs include Diphenhydramine (allergy/sleep aid), Fexofenadine (non-drowsy allergy), Meclizine (motion sickness), Acetaminophen (pain/fever), or even the prescription drug Olanzapine.
High-Risk Scenario: Taking an unknown pill is extremely dangerous due to the risk of incorrect identification, overdose, or serious drug interactions.
Safe Identification Steps: Use a reliable online pill identifier with the full imprint and shape, or consult a pharmacist to confirm the medication safely.
Professional Consultation: In case of an emergency or if you are unsure, contact a pharmacist, healthcare provider, or Poison Control immediately.
Full Imprint Required: The numbers and letters ('44 329', 'J 44', 'CL 44') are all critical for an accurate and safe match.

Why Proper Identification is Critical

Identifying a pill based on color and a partial imprint like '44' alone is extremely risky. Without the full imprint code and shape, it's impossible to know the exact drug, its strength, or its purpose. Taking an unknown medication can lead to dangerous side effects, accidental overdose, or severe drug interactions. The FDA mandates unique markings for this very reason: to ensure patient safety. If you have a pill you cannot positively identify, you should never take it.

Possible Identities for a Pink Pill with 44 Imprint

Depending on the specific combination of numbers, letters, and the pill's shape, there are several possibilities for a pink pill with a '44' imprint. The most common are over-the-counter medications, but prescription drugs can also share this marking pattern.

Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 25 mg (Imprint: 44 329)

This is one of the most common identities for a pink, oval-shaped pill with the imprint '44 329'.

Appearance: Pink, oval (elliptical) tablet, 11mm, with '44 329' imprinted.
Drug Class: Antihistamine.
Common Uses: Relieves allergy symptoms (sneezing, runny nose), treats insomnia, and is used for cold symptoms.
Side Effects: Can cause significant drowsiness and dizziness.

Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 180 mg (Imprint: J 44)

This is a potential match for a pink, capsule-shaped pill with 'J 44'.

Appearance: Pink, capsule/oblong shape, 18mm, with 'J 44' imprinted.
Drug Class: Non-drowsy antihistamine.
Common Uses: Treats symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and hives (urticaria).
Side Effects: Generally causes less drowsiness than diphenhydramine.

Meclizine Hydrochloride 25 mg (Chewable) (Imprint: 44 404)

This is a possible match for a pink, round, chewable tablet.

Appearance: Pink, round, 9mm, chewable tablet with '44 404' imprinted.
Drug Class: Anticholinergic antiemetic.
Common Uses: Prevents and treats motion sickness, vertigo, and nausea.
Side Effects: Can cause drowsiness and dry mouth.

Acetaminophen 160 mg (Chewable) (Imprint: 44 450)

This is a potential match for a pink, round, chewable tablet used for pain relief.

Appearance: Pink, round, 16mm, chewable tablet with '44 450' imprinted.
Drug Class: Analgesic (pain reliever).
Common Uses: Temporarily relieves minor aches and pains and reduces fever.
Side Effects: Generally well-tolerated at recommended doses, but liver damage is a serious risk with overdose.

Olanzapine 20 mg (Imprint: CL 44)

In some cases, the '44' may be paired with different letters, such as 'CL'.

Appearance: Pink, oval, 14mm, with 'CL 44' imprinted.
Drug Class: Atypical antipsychotic.
Common Uses: Treats bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder.
Side Effects: Can include drowsiness, weight gain, and high blood sugar. This is a prescription medication and should be taken only under a doctor's supervision.

Comparison Table of Potential Pink Pills with '44'


Feature	Diphenhydramine (44 329)	Fexofenadine (J 44)	Meclizine (44 404)	Acetaminophen (44 450)	Olanzapine (CL 44)
Appearance	Pink, Oval	Pink, Oblong Capsule	Pink, Round (Chewable)	Pink, Round (Chewable)	Pink, Oval
Drug Class	Antihistamine	Antihistamine (non-drowsy)	Antiemetic	Analgesic	Antipsychotic
Primary Use	Allergies, sleep aid	Hay fever, hives	Motion sickness, vertigo	Pain, fever	Mood disorders
Key Side Effect	Drowsiness	Less drowsy than others	Drowsiness	Liver damage (overdose)	Drowsiness, weight gain
Availability	OTC	OTC	OTC	OTC	Prescription

How to Safely Identify Your Pill

If you find an unverified pill, follow these steps to ensure your safety:

Use the Full Imprint: Don't rely on just the '44'. Use the entire imprint code (e.g., '44 329' or 'J 44'), along with the pill's exact color and shape, when using a pill identifier tool.
Consult a Pharmacist: Your local pharmacist is a reliable source for identifying medications. They have access to comprehensive databases and can often identify a pill based on its characteristics.
Use an Online Tool: Reputable online pill identifiers, like the one on Drugs.com, allow you to search for medications using the imprint, color, and shape. Always compare the physical pill to the high-quality images provided.
Call Poison Control: For emergency situations or if you suspect someone has taken an unknown pill, call your local poison control center immediately for expert guidance.
Never Assume: Do not assume the pill's identity based on an internet search alone. Incorrect identification can have severe consequences.

The Dangers of Self-Identification and Mixing Medications

Taking an unknown pill is extremely dangerous. One of the main risks is incorrect identification, which could lead to an overdose or unintended health consequences. Different medications, even if they look similar, can contain wildly different active ingredients. Mixing medications without professional guidance can lead to hazardous drug interactions. For example, taking two NSAIDs (like Naproxen and Ibuprofen) together significantly increases the risk of serious side effects like stomach bleeding. The safest course of action is to dispose of any unidentified medication properly and consult a healthcare professional.

Conclusion

While a pink pill with the number '44' can be one of several different medications, such as Diphenhydramine, Fexofenadine, or Meclizine, relying on this limited information is unsafe. The only way to know for sure is to use the full imprint code, shape, and color with a reliable pill identifier, or better yet, consult a pharmacist or healthcare provider. Never take an unknown pill, as the risks of incorrect identification and harmful side effects are too great. Proper identification is the only responsible way to manage your medication and ensure your health and safety.

A Note on Authoritative Resources

For verified pill identification, always use a resource like the Drugs.com Pill Identifier. https://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You should always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist to identify any unknown medication. Never take a pill that you cannot positively identify.

Frequently Asked Questions

A pink, oval-shaped pill with the imprint '44 329' is most likely Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride 25 mg, an over-the-counter antihistamine used for allergies, colds, and as a sleep aid.

No, they are different medications. A pink, capsule-shaped pill with 'J 44' is typically Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 180 mg, a non-drowsy antihistamine. A pink, oval pill with '44 329' is Diphenhydramine, which causes drowsiness.

Taking an unknown pill is dangerous because it could be the wrong medication, an incorrect dosage, or have harmful interactions with other drugs you take. This can lead to serious health complications, overdose, or even death.

The safest method is to consult a pharmacist who can identify it based on the full imprint, shape, and color. You can also use a reputable online pill identifier tool like Drugs.com, but you must be certain of all the markings.

Some medications with similar imprints are not controlled substances (e.g., Diphenhydramine, Fexofenadine). However, other prescriptions, like the antipsychotic Olanzapine ('CL 44'), require a doctor's supervision. It is not possible to know if a pill is a controlled substance based on a partial imprint alone.

Do not take it. The safest course of action is to use a reliable pill identifier or ask a pharmacist for help. If you cannot identify it, dispose of it properly according to FDA guidelines for medication disposal.

Both are NSAIDs. A key difference is their duration: Ibuprofen is short-acting (4-6 hours), while Naproxen is long-acting (up to 12 hours). Naproxen is available with '44' markings from certain manufacturers, like '44-604'.