What hydrocodone tablets look like

Hydrocodone tablets vary in appearance depending on the manufacturer and the dose. Most are small, round or oval pills ranging from white to off-white in color, though some manufacturers produce tablets in other shades. The tablet will always carry an imprint — a combination of numbers, letters, or both stamped into the surface — that identifies the drug name, strength, and maker. This imprint is the most reliable way to confirm what you are holding.

Hydrocodone is almost never sold as a single-ingredient tablet in the United States anymore. It comes combined with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen. The combination affects both how the tablet looks and what the imprint says. A tablet marked "NORCO" or "VICODIN" contains hydrocodone plus acetaminophen. One marked "REPREXAIN" or "IBUDONE" contains hydrocodone plus ibuprofen. The imprint will tell you the exact combination and dose before you take it.

Key Takeaways

  • Hydrocodone tablets are small, usually round or oval, and white or off-white, with an imprint stamped on one or both sides.
  • The imprint — a code of numbers and letters — is the only way to know the exact drug, dose, and manufacturer without guessing.
  • Hydrocodone in the U.S. is sold only in combination with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, never alone, so the imprint will show both drugs.
  • You can look up any imprint on the FDA's pill identifier tool or on pharmacy websites to confirm what the tablet contains.

Common imprints and what they mean

The imprint code is printed by the manufacturer and does not change. If you see "NORCO 10/325," that means the tablet contains 10 milligrams of hydrocodone and 325 milligrams of acetaminophen — always. "VICODIN ES 7.5/750" means 7.5 milligrams of hydrocodone and 750 milligrams of acetaminophen. The first number is always the hydrocodone dose; the second is the acetaminophen or ibuprofen dose.

Older brand names like Vicodin and Norco are still in use, but generic versions are far more common now. A generic tablet might be marked "M367" or "IP 110" or "V 3601" — these are manufacturer codes, not brand names. Each code corresponds to a specific dose combination. The imprint does not tell you the brand; it tells you the exact contents.

If you have a tablet and cannot read the imprint clearly, do not take it. Wash it gently under cool water, dry it, and look again under good light. If the imprint is still unclear or worn away, ask a pharmacist to identify it before you use it.

How to verify a tablet's identity

The FDA maintains a pill identifier tool on its website where you can enter the imprint code and see what the tablet is, what it contains, and what it looks like. Pharmacy websites like CVS and Walgreens also have searchable pill identifiers. You enter the imprint exactly as it appears — including capitalization and spacing — and the tool returns the drug name, dose, shape, color, and manufacturer.

If you received the tablet from a pharmacy, your receipt or bottle label will also list the imprint code. Compare what is on the tablet to what is on the label. If they do not match, contact the pharmacy when ready. If you received the tablet from another source, use the imprint to look it up before taking it.

Size and shape variations

Hydrocodone tablets are typically small enough to swallow whole with water. Most are round, but some are oval or oblong. The size depends on the dose and the filler material the manufacturer uses. A 5/325 tablet (5 milligrams hydrocodone, 325 milligrams acetaminophen) is usually smaller than a 10/325 tablet because it contains less active ingredient and filler.

The shape and size alone do not tell you what the tablet is. Two tablets from different manufacturers may look nearly identical but contain different doses or different combinations of drugs. The imprint is what matters. Never assume a tablet's contents based on how it looks.

Color and coating

Most hydrocodone combination tablets are white or off-white. Some are cream-colored or pale yellow. A few older formulations or brand-name versions may be slightly different shades, but solid color tablets are standard. The color comes from the filler and does not indicate the dose or contents — only the imprint does.

Some tablets have a smooth coating; others are uncoated. Neither coating type affects how the drug works. The coating is purely a manufacturing choice and does not change the dose or the combination of drugs inside.

What to do if you are unsure

If you have a tablet you cannot identify with certainty, do not take it. Contact your pharmacy with the imprint code, or use the FDA pill identifier or a pharmacy website to look it up. If the imprint is missing, worn, or illegible, ask your pharmacist to identify it or replace it. Taking an unknown tablet carries real risk — you could take the wrong dose, the wrong drug, or something that will interact badly with other medications you use.

If you received a tablet that does not match your prescription label, call the pharmacy before taking it. Mistakes happen, and the pharmacy can correct them quickly. If you found a tablet on the ground or in an old bottle, do not take it. Dispose of it safely at a pharmacy or through a medication take-back program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tell the dose just by looking at the tablet?

No. Two tablets that look identical can contain different doses. The imprint code is the only way to know the dose. Always read the imprint before taking a tablet, even if you think you know what it is.

What if the imprint is partially worn off?

If you can read even part of the imprint, try entering it into the FDA pill identifier or a pharmacy tool — it may still return results. If the imprint is too worn to read, ask your pharmacist to identify it or provide a replacement. Do not guess.

Are all white tablets hydrocodone?

No. Many different drugs come in white tablets. The imprint is what identifies the drug, not the color. Never assume a white tablet is hydrocodone without checking the imprint first.

Can I cut a hydrocodone tablet in half?

Only if the tablet has a score line — a visible groove or line across the middle. If there is no score line, the tablet is not designed to be split, and cutting it may damage the coating or make the dose uneven. Check your prescription label or ask your pharmacist before cutting any tablet.

What should I do with old or unused hydrocodone tablets?

Take them to a pharmacy that offers medication take-back, or use the DEA's drug disposal guidelines to dispose of them safely at home. Do not flush them down the toilet or throw them in the trash unless the label specifically says to do so.