What Kind of Pills Are Pink? A Guide to Identifying Common Medications

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

The color of a medication serves as a key identifier for pharmacists and healthcare providers, yet for the average person, a pink pill can represent a wide range of drug classes, from mild antihistamines to powerful opioids. Understanding the different active ingredients and risks associated with these varied medicines is crucial for safe drug use.

Quick Summary

Many types of medications come in pink, including common over-the-counter remedies like Benadryl and Tylenol, various prescription drugs for pain, anxiety, and heart conditions, as well as specialized women's health treatments. Crucial identifiers beyond color are the pill's imprint code and shape. Caution is required due to the existence of illicit and dangerous synthetic opioids that also appear as pink pills.

Key Points

Color Is Not Enough: While pink is a common pill color, relying on it alone for identification is dangerous. Different manufacturers use various colors for the same drug, and different drugs can share the same color.
OTC Options Include Benadryl and Pepto-Bismol: Over-the-counter pink pills frequently include diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for allergies and sleep, and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) for stomach upset.
Prescription Pink Pills Vary Widely: A vast number of prescription medications, including opioids like oxycodone (K 56), anxiety medication like alprazolam (Xanax), blood pressure meds like lisinopril, and women's health drugs like Addyi, can be pink.
Illicit Drugs Can Be Pink: The highly potent and dangerous synthetic opioid U-47700 is also known as "pink" and can be lethal in small doses. This highlights the critical danger of taking unprescribed pills.
Always Use an Imprint Code for Identification: For accurate identification, use the pill's unique imprint code in combination with its color and shape on a reliable pill identifier database, or consult a pharmacist.
Handle Unknown Pills Safely: If you find an unknown pink pill, do not take it. Use a professional resource for identification or dispose of it safely. In case of emergency, contact the Poison Control Center.

The Significance of Pill Color and Identification

Medication color is an important characteristic, but it is never enough for positive identification. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use colors and shapes to differentiate products and doses, making them easier for patients and healthcare professionals to recognize. However, different companies produce generic versions of the same drug in various colors, and completely different drugs can coincidentally share a similar appearance. This is why identifying a pill requires considering its shape, size, and, most importantly, the imprint code—a unique alphanumeric marking stamped on the tablet or capsule. Any unidentified pink pill should be treated with caution, and its identity should be confirmed through official drug identification resources or a healthcare provider.

Common Pink Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

Many household remedies and OTC products are available in pink to distinguish them from other medications. Some of the most frequently encountered include:

Antihistamines: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a common allergy and sleep-aid medication often found as a pink oval tablet or capsule, sometimes imprinted with markings like "B 25" or "44 329".
Antacids and Anti-Diarrhea: Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) is famously pink and used for indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea. While most recognizable in liquid form, it also comes in pink chewable tablets.
Children's Pain and Fever Relievers: Children's acetaminophen (Tylenol) is sold as pink chewable tablets, often imprinted with "TY 80" or similar markings.

Prescription Medications That Come in Pink

A wide array of prescription drugs across different therapeutic classes can be pink. Below are examples covering several common uses.

Pain Relievers (Opioids)

Some of the most well-known pink pills are potent opioid analgesics prescribed for pain management. These are controlled substances with a high potential for addiction and misuse.

Oxycodone (Immediate-Release): A round, pink tablet with the imprint "K 56" is a common form of 10mg oxycodone hydrochloride. Another version is imprinted with "M 10". These are immediate-release opioids.
Percocet: A brand-name combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. Some formulations come in pink, such as the K 56 pill mentioned above, which is a generic version.
Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen: Certain generic versions of this combination pain reliever have been manufactured as pink tablets.

Medications for Mental Health

Alprazolam (Xanax): Some formulations of this benzodiazepine, used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, come in pink. The 0.5mg and 1mg doses of generic alprazolam are sometimes referred to as “Pink Xanax”.
Paroxetine (Paxil CR): This selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for anxiety and depression is available as a round, pink 25mg tablet with the imprint "25".
Venlafaxine Extended Release: Certain dosages of this serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), used for depression and anxiety, are manufactured as pink, capsule-shaped tablets.

Cardiovascular and Women's Health

Lisinopril: A common blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitor) is sometimes available as a pink, round tablet in certain strengths, such as 10mg and 20mg.
Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide: A combination drug for hypertension, with a pink, oval tablet available at 12.5mg/320mg, imprinted with "I 64".
Apixaban (Eliquis): This blood thinner is a pink oval tablet, with the 5mg dose having an imprint of "894 5".
Flibanserin (Addyi): Dubbed the "little pink pill," this is the first FDA-approved non-hormonal medication for premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

Comparison of Common Pink Pills


Medication (Generic/Brand)	Use	Imprint Example	Shape	Controlled Substance?
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)	Allergy, sleep aid	B 25, 44 329	Oval, oblong	No
Oxycodone HCl (Various)	Moderate to severe pain	K 56, M 10	Round	Yes (Schedule II)
Alprazolam (Xanax)	Anxiety, panic disorder	Often dose-related	Various (may be oval)	Yes (Schedule IV)
Paroxetine CR (Paxil CR)	Depression, anxiety	25	Round	No
Lisinopril (Various)	High blood pressure	LUPIN (varies)	Round	No
Flibanserin (Addyi)	HSDD (premenopausal women)	Often unmarked	Tablet	No
Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)	Upset stomach, diarrhea	Varies	Chewable tablet	No

The Dangers of Illicit Pink Pills

An extremely dangerous and highly potent synthetic opioid known as U-47700 has been nicknamed "pink" or "pinky". It may appear as a light pink or white powder or pressed into pill form. Due to its unpredictable strength and potential to be mixed with other substances like fentanyl, even a small amount can be fatal. The risk is compounded by the fact that it is not detected on standard drug screens, making it especially hazardous. It is crucial to remember that any pill not prescribed by a doctor could be an illegal substance, and the color alone is no guarantee of safety.

What to Do If You Find an Unidentified Pink Pill

If you encounter an unidentified pill, do not ingest it. First, use a reliable online pill identifier tool like the one on Drugs.com, Medscape, or Poison Control's website, searching by color, shape, and imprint. If you still cannot identify it or suspect it is a controlled substance, contact a healthcare provider or a pharmacist. In case of emergency or potential overdose, call 911 immediately or the Poison Control Center hotline. Responsible handling of medication is essential for preventing accidental ingestion or misuse.

Conclusion

Pink-colored pills cover an immense spectrum of pharmaceuticals, ranging from commonplace, gentle treatments for indigestion and allergies to controlled and potentially addictive substances like opioids and anti-anxiety medications. As seen with the illicit synthetic opioid U-47700, the color provides no guarantee of safety or purpose. Proper identification hinges on accurate details, including shape, size, and the unique imprint code, and should always be verified using credible resources or a healthcare professional. Never rely on color alone to identify a medication, and err on the side of caution when dealing with any unknown pill to ensure your safety and that of others.

For Further Information

For safe and reliable pill identification, the National Library of Medicine offers resources to help identify unknown medications based on their characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do not take the pill. Use a reputable online tool, such as those from Drugs.com or Medscape, to search for its imprint code, shape, and color. If you are still unsure or have concerns, contact a pharmacist or healthcare provider for assistance.

No. While a common over-the-counter form of diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl) is a pink, oval tablet, manufacturers produce it in other colors and formulations as well. Color alone is not a reliable identifier.

The 'little pink pill,' Addyi (flibanserin), is an FDA-approved medication for premenopausal women with HSDD. It has specific risks, such as dangerously low blood pressure, especially when consumed with alcohol. It should only be taken under a doctor's strict guidance.

The illicit synthetic opioid U-47700, or 'pink,' is highly potent and poses a significant risk of overdose and death, even in small amounts. It is often sold illicitly and may contain other dangerous substances, such as fentanyl.

For some specific brand-name drugs, a manufacturer might color-code different strengths (e.g., a 10mg pink tablet versus a 20mg red tablet of the same drug). However, this is not a universal rule, especially among generic versions or across different drug classes.

Pill identification tools use a combination of factors, including color, shape, size, and the unique imprint code, to narrow down potential matches. Searching by the imprint code is the most specific and reliable method.

No, many non-narcotic medications come in pink. These include over-the-counter remedies like antacids and antihistamines, as well as prescription drugs for conditions like high blood pressure.