What is the pill E 11 used for?

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

According to data from Drugs.com, a yellow, oval pill imprinted with E 11 is most likely Levetiracetam 500 mg, a medication used to treat seizures and epilepsy. However, pill imprints alone are insufficient for positive identification, as other drugs can share similar markings, underscoring the critical need for a full evaluation based on shape, size, and color to avoid medication errors.

Quick Summary

The 'E 11' pill imprint can belong to several medications, including Levetiracetam (an anti-seizure drug) and Sulindac (an NSAID). The exact drug depends on other physical characteristics like size and color. Proper identification requires professional confirmation to ensure safety and correct use.

Key Points

Imprint is not enough: The 'E 11' imprint is not unique and could belong to several different drugs; other features are necessary for proper identification.
Levetiracetam for seizures: A yellow, oval, 18mm pill with 'E 11' is typically Levetiracetam 500 mg, an anti-seizure medication for epilepsy.
Sulindac for inflammation: A yellow, oval, 14mm pill with 'E 11' is most likely Sulindac 200 mg, an NSAID for conditions like arthritis.
Other possibilities exist: Different imprints like 'Logo E11' and 'LU E11' also exist on different medications, like Diclofenac and Amlodipine/Benazepril.
Potential side effects: Levetiracetam can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and mood changes, while NSAIDs carry their own set of risks.
Consult a professional: Always confirm a pill's identity with a healthcare professional before taking it, as using the wrong medication can be harmful.
Never self-diagnose: If you are unsure what a pill is, do not take it. Use a reputable pill identifier tool and seek medical advice.

The Importance of Full Pill Identification

Identifying a pill using only its imprint can be misleading and dangerous. Many manufacturers produce generic versions of drugs, and similar markings can exist on different medications. For safe and accurate identification, it is essential to consider the pill's complete set of characteristics, including its shape, size, color, and any other markings. This is particularly true for the 'E 11' imprint, which can indicate multiple different medications.

Levetiracetam: The most common 'E 11' drug

The most frequent identification for an 'E 11' pill is Levetiracetam 500 mg.

Appearance: Yellow, oval, and approximately 18mm in size.
Drug Class: Pyrrolidine anticonvulsant.
Uses: Used alone or with other medications to help control certain types of seizures in people with epilepsy. It is prescribed for partial-onset, myoclonic, and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Levetiracetam works by calming brain activity to reduce the likelihood of seizures.
Prescription: This is a prescription-only medication and should not be taken without a doctor's guidance.

Common Side Effects of Levetiracetam

Patients taking Levetiracetam should be aware of potential side effects, which can range from mild to severe. Common side effects include:

Headache
Feeling sleepy or tired (somnolence and asthenia)
Dizziness
Weakness
Infection, such as a cold or stuffy nose
Coordination difficulties or unsteadiness
Behavioral and mood changes, such as irritability, aggression, or anxiety

Other possible medications with similar imprints

It is crucial to be aware of other medications that can have similar imprints, especially when relying on partial information. These include:

Sulindac 200 mg: Another yellow, oval pill, but typically smaller (14mm), can also have the 'E 11' imprint.
- Drug Class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
- Uses: Used to treat various conditions involving pain and inflammation, including gout, arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), bursitis, and familial adenomatous polyposis.
Diclofenac Potassium 50 mg: While the imprint is slightly different ('Logo E11'), this white, round, 10mm pill is another possibility and also an NSAID.
Amlodipine/Benazepril 2.5mg/10mg: A white, oblong capsule with the imprint 'LU E11' is a combination medication for high blood pressure.

Comparison of Potential 'E 11' Pills


Feature	Levetiracetam 500 mg	Sulindac 200 mg	Diclofenac Potassium 50 mg	Amlodipine/Benazepril 2.5/10 mg
Imprint	E 11	E 11	Logo E11	LU E11
Color	Yellow	Yellow	White	White
Shape	Oval	Oval	Round	Capsule/Oblong
Drug Class	Pyrrolidine anticonvulsant	Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)	Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)	ACE inhibitor/Calcium channel blocker
Primary Use	Epilepsy and seizures	Gout, arthritis, bursitis	Inflammation and pain relief	High blood pressure

What to do if you find a pill with 'E 11'

If you have found a pill with the 'E 11' imprint and are unsure of its purpose, take the following steps:

Do not consume the pill. Never take medication unless it has been prescribed to you by a doctor.
Examine its full appearance. Note the pill's color, shape, and size. Take a clear picture if possible. This additional information is vital for accurate identification.
Use an official pill identifier tool. Websites like Drugs.com offer reliable databases where you can input the full imprint and physical characteristics for a more precise match.
Consult a healthcare professional. The safest course of action is to contact a doctor or pharmacist. They can provide an definitive identification and advise on the appropriate next steps. If you believe you or someone else has taken the wrong medication, seek immediate medical assistance.

Conclusion

The imprint 'E 11' on a pill can correspond to several different medications, making accurate identification essential for patient safety. The most common association is with Levetiracetam 500 mg, a potent anti-seizure medication for epilepsy. However, variations in pill color, shape, and size could indicate a different drug, such as the NSAID Sulindac. Relying on incomplete information for medication identification is extremely dangerous. Always use a combination of factors and consult a healthcare professional to ensure correct and safe medication use. In case of doubt or emergency, call for medical help immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common identification for a pill with the imprint 'E 11' is Levetiracetam 500 mg, which is a yellow, oval pill used for treating seizures and epilepsy. However, a smaller yellow, oval pill with the same 'E 11' imprint could be Sulindac 200 mg, an anti-inflammatory drug. For accurate identification, you must consider the pill's complete physical characteristics.

No, it is not. While Levetiracetam is a common pill with this imprint (yellow, oval, 18mm), a smaller yellow, oval pill with 'E 11' is Sulindac. Additionally, other medications have similar imprints (e.g., 'Logo E11' for Diclofenac or 'LU E11' for Amlodipine/Benazepril), making relying on the imprint alone a risky practice.

The primary distinction is the pill's size. The Levetiracetam pill with 'E 11' is 18mm, while the Sulindac pill with 'E 11' is 14mm. Always check the manufacturer's specific product information or consult a pharmacist to be certain.

Do not take the pill. The safest and most important step is to consult a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist. They can provide an accurate identification and ensure patient safety. You can also use a comprehensive online pill identifier tool, providing all physical details, but professional confirmation is always recommended.

No, you should not. If you are taking Levetiracetam for seizures, stopping it suddenly can be dangerous and may cause your seizures to return or occur more frequently. Your doctor will need to provide guidance for gradually reducing the dose before discontinuing it.

Common side effects include headache, sleepiness, weakness, dizziness, and infections. More serious side effects can involve changes in mood or behavior, such as irritability, aggression, or depression. It's important to monitor for these symptoms and speak with a doctor if they become concerning.

Yes, but it depends on the medication. If the E 11 pill is Levetiracetam, it can be prescribed to children as young as one month of age for certain types of seizures. However, the dosage is weight-based and must be carefully determined by a pediatrician.