What pill has LL on it? A guide to identifying your medication

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all prescription drugs must have an imprint to help with identification. When you find a pill with an 'LL' or 'll' imprint, it is crucial to recognize that this marking is used on several different medications, not just one. This guide will help you narrow down the possibilities by considering other key factors like the pill's color, shape, and strength.

Quick Summary

Several common medications can feature an 'LL' or 'll' imprint, including the diabetes drug Metformin, the allergy medication Loratadine, and the cholesterol-lowering drug Atorvastatin. Aiding identification requires comparing the pill's other characteristics, such as its shape and color.

Key Points

Multiple drugs feature the 'LL' imprint: The letters 'LL' are a manufacturer marking and can be found on several different medications, including Metformin, Loratadine, and Atorvastatin.
Other characteristics are critical for identification: Relying solely on the 'LL' imprint is unsafe. The pill's color, shape, and other codes are vital to distinguishing one medication from another.
Metformin is a common 'LL' pill: A 500mg white, round tablet with 'LL' often corresponds to Metformin, a medication for type 2 diabetes.
Loratadine can have an 'L L' imprint: The over-the-counter antihistamine Loratadine has a 10mg orally disintegrating tablet with 'L L' (with a space).
Atorvastatin may feature 'll': Some generic versions of the cholesterol drug Atorvastatin (20mg) are oval and feature a lowercase 'll' imprint.
Lisinopril/HCTZ also uses 'LL': Lupin Pharmaceuticals produces different strengths of this blood pressure medication, which feature an 'LL' imprint in various colors and shapes.
Never take an unknown pill: If you cannot identify a pill with certainty using a professional tool, do not consume it. Consult with a pharmacist or physician for proper guidance.
Use a professional pill identifier: For accurate and safe identification, use a reputable online database where you can enter multiple criteria, including color, shape, and imprint.

Imprints on pills are a vital tool for preventing medication errors, but the same imprint can be used by different manufacturers or for different drugs entirely. Finding a pill with the letters 'LL' is not a definitive answer, but rather the first step in a careful process of identification. The most reliable way to identify an unknown pill is by consulting a professional pill identifier database, considering the pill's full set of unique characteristics.

Common Medications with an 'LL' Imprint

Metformin Hydrochloride

One of the most frequently searched-for pills with the imprint 'LL' is Metformin, a medication prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. A specific formulation manufactured by Lupin Pharmaceuticals is known to have this marking.

Appearance: White, round tablet.
Strength: Typically 500 mg.
Other Markings: On the reverse side, it may feature other identifying numbers, often a batch or dosage code like 'B02' in other Lupin products.
Therapeutic Use: Manages blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Loratadine (Orally Disintegrating)

An over-the-counter antihistamine, Loratadine, is another medication that may have an 'L L' imprint. The spacing between the letters is a distinguishing feature.

Appearance: White, round tablet designed to disintegrate orally.
Strength: 10 mg.
Other Markings: Features the imprint 'L L' (with a space) on one side.
Therapeutic Use: Relieves symptoms of allergies, including allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

Atorvastatin Calcium

For individuals managing high cholesterol, Atorvastatin (a generic version of Lipitor) can be a possibility. In this case, the imprint uses lowercase letters.

Appearance: White, oval tablet.
Strength: Typically 20 mg.
Other Markings: Imprint is 'll' (lowercase).
Therapeutic Use: Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide (Lupin)

Lupin Pharmaceuticals also manufactures combination blood pressure medications with an 'LL' imprint, but the color, shape, and additional code are crucial identifiers.

Appearance: Hexagonal (blue), round (yellow), or round (peach), depending on the dosage.
Strength: Comes in different strengths, such as 10 mg/12.5 mg or 20 mg/12.5 mg.
Other Markings: Features the imprint 'LL' on one side and a code like 'B01', 'B02', or 'B03' on the other.
Therapeutic Use: Treats hypertension by combining an ACE inhibitor (Lisinopril) and a diuretic (Hydrochlorothiazide).

How to Accurately Identify an Unknown Pill

Never rely on the imprint alone to identify a medication. A full visual examination is necessary for accurate identification. To identify a pill, gather as much information as possible:

Imprint: The letters and/or numbers stamped on the pill, such as 'LL' or 'll'.
Shape: Is it round, oval, hexagonal, or another shape? For example, Metformin with 'LL' is typically round, while a version of Atorvastatin with 'll' is oval.
Color: Is the pill white, pink, yellow, blue, or another color? This is a critical piece of information. For instance, Mekinist (imprint 'Logo LL') is a pink tablet.
Size: The overall dimensions can also help distinguish between different medications.

After documenting these details, use a reputable online pill identifier tool, such as the one offered by Drugs.com, to cross-reference the information. Drugs.com Pill Identifier

Comparison of Medications with 'LL' Imprints


Feature	Metformin 500mg (Lupin)	Loratadine 10mg (Orally Disintegrating)	Atorvastatin 20mg (Lupin)	Lisinopril/HCTZ (Lupin)
Imprint	LL	L L (spaced)	ll (lowercase)	LL
Color	White	White	White	Blue, Yellow, or Peach
Shape	Round	Round	Oval	Hexagonal or Round
Strength	500 mg	10 mg	20 mg	Various (e.g., 10/12.5 mg)
Therapeutic Class	Non-sulfonylurea (Diabetes)	Antihistamine (Allergies)	Statin (Cholesterol)	ACE Inhibitor/Diuretic (Hypertension)
Availability	Prescription	Over-the-Counter	Prescription	Prescription

Conclusion

While finding a pill with the imprint 'LL' is a good starting point, it is not enough for a conclusive identification. Numerous medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can bear this marking in different variations. Factors like the pill's color, shape, and other markings are essential for accurate identification. Always use a reliable, multi-factor pill identifier tool and consult with a healthcare professional or pharmacist if you are uncertain about a medication. Never take an unknown pill, as doing so can have serious health consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, different drugs can share the same or similar imprints, which is why it is critical to use additional identifiers like the pill's color and shape for accurate identification. For example, 'LL' is used on medications for both diabetes and allergies.

No, a pill with an 'LL' imprint is not always Metformin. While Metformin is a common example, other medications like Loratadine, Atorvastatin, and Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide may also carry similar markings.

If you cannot confidently identify a pill using an online database, do not take it. Safely dispose of the pill or take it to a pharmacist for positive identification. Never risk taking an unconfirmed medication.

In addition to the imprint, you should note the pill's shape (e.g., round, oval, hexagonal), color (e.g., white, blue, pink), and any additional letters or numbers. The manufacturer's logo or a batch code can also be important.

The FDA mandates that all prescription and some over-the-counter tablets and capsules carry an imprint. This is to aid in identification during poison control emergencies, prevent accidental mix-ups, and ensure that patients are taking the correct medication.

The case of the letters matters, as different medications may use capitalized 'LL' or lowercase 'll'. For example, Metformin often has 'LL' while a version of Atorvastatin uses 'll'. Paying attention to these subtle differences is a key part of the identification process.

No, it is not safe to assume what a pill is based on its color alone. Many different drugs come in similar or identical colors and shapes. The combination of the imprint, color, and shape is required for a more accurate identification.

According to Drugs.com, Mekinist 2 mg is a pink, round tablet with the imprint 'Logo LL' on one side. This is a prescription oncology medication used to treat various types of cancer.