What Percocet tablets look like

Percocet tablets come in several different shapes, sizes, and colors depending on the strength and manufacturer. The most common Percocet tablets are white, round, or oval-shaped pills with imprinted numbers and letters on one or both sides. A standard Percocet 5/325 (5 mg oxycodone and 325 mg acetaminophen) is typically a white round tablet marked with "PERCOCET" on one side and "5/325" on the other. Stronger versions, like Percocet 10/325, are usually larger white tablets or sometimes yellow tablets with different markings.

The imprint on the tablet is the most reliable way to identify it. Every legitimate Percocet tablet manufactured in the United States has a unique imprint code that identifies the drug, strength, and manufacturer. This code is required by the FDA and allows you to verify exactly what you have. If a tablet has no imprint, is blank, or has markings that don't match any known Percocet formulation, it is not a legitimate Percocet tablet.

Generic versions of Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen combinations) may look different from brand-name Percocet but will still have clear imprints identifying them as the same medication. The shape and color can vary widely among generic manufacturers, but the imprint will always specify the drug name or abbreviation, the strength, and sometimes the manufacturer's code.

Key Takeaways

  • Percocet tablets always have an imprint code on them that identifies the drug name, strength, and manufacturer — this is the most reliable way to verify what you have.
  • Common Percocet tablets are white and round or oval, but generic versions may be different colors including yellow, pink, or blue depending on the manufacturer.
  • You can look up any tablet imprint on the FDA's pill identifier database or on pharmacy websites to confirm the exact drug, strength, and manufacturer.
  • If a tablet has no imprint, is blank, or the imprint does not match any known Percocet formulation, it is not a legitimate Percocet tablet and should not be taken.

Common Percocet imprints and what they mean

The imprint on a Percocet tablet tells you the exact formulation. For example, a tablet marked "PERCOCET 5/325" contains 5 mg of oxycodone and 325 mg of acetaminophen. A tablet marked "PERCOCET 7.5/325" contains 7.5 mg of oxycodone and 325 mg of acetaminophen. A tablet marked "PERCOCET 10/325" contains 10 mg of oxycodone and 325 mg of acetaminophen. These are the three most common prescription strengths.

Generic versions use different imprints. A tablet marked "A 206" is a generic Percocet 5/325. A tablet marked "A 207" is a generic Percocet 7.5/325. A tablet marked "A 208" is a generic Percocet 10/325. Other manufacturers use different codes — for instance, some use "M" followed by numbers, or other letter-number combinations. The key is that every legitimate tablet will have a clear, consistent imprint that matches a real drug formulation.

How to verify a tablet using the imprint

If you have a Percocet tablet and want to verify it is legitimate, write down the exact imprint — every letter, number, and symbol. Then visit the FDA's pill identifier tool at pills.nlm.nih.gov or use your pharmacy's website if they offer a pill lookup tool. Enter the imprint exactly as it appears on the tablet, including the shape and color if the tool asks for it.

The search will return the drug name, strength, manufacturer, and shape. Compare this information to what you expect. If the imprint matches a known Percocet formulation and the strength is what your prescription calls for, the tablet is legitimate. If the imprint does not match any known drug, or if it matches a different medication entirely, do not take the tablet and contact your pharmacy or doctor.

Why tablet appearance matters for safety

Counterfeit and illegally manufactured tablets that look similar to Percocet are a serious public health risk. These fake tablets may contain no oxycodone at all, or they may contain fentanyl or other dangerous substances in unpredictable amounts. The only way to be certain a tablet is what it claims to be is to verify the imprint against a reliable database.

If you receive a prescription from a pharmacy, the pharmacist is responsible for dispensing the correct medication. However, if you are taking a tablet that was not dispensed by a licensed pharmacy — for example, if someone gave it to you — you should verify the imprint before taking it. Never take a tablet with no imprint, a partial imprint, or an imprint that does not match any known medication.

Differences between brand-name and generic Percocet tablets

Brand-name Percocet and generic oxycodone/acetaminophen tablets contain the same active ingredients in the same amounts, but they may look completely different. The FDA requires that brand-name and generic versions be equally safe and effective, but manufacturers are allowed to use different shapes, colors, and imprints. This can make it confusing to identify a tablet by appearance alone.

For this reason, relying on the imprint rather than the shape or color is always the safer approach. Two tablets that look identical in shape and color might have different imprints and contain different drugs or different strengths. Conversely, two tablets with the same imprint will always contain the same drug and strength, even if they look slightly different due to normal manufacturing variation.

What to do if you cannot read the imprint

If the imprint on your tablet is worn, faded, or unclear, do not guess. Contact your pharmacy and describe the tablet — its shape, color, size, and any partial imprint you can see. The pharmacist can look up your prescription record and tell you exactly what tablet you should have. If you cannot reach your pharmacy, contact your doctor's office.

If you received a tablet from someone other than a licensed pharmacy and cannot read or verify the imprint, the safest choice is not to take it. There is no way to know what it contains without a clear imprint or laboratory testing. If you are concerned about a medication you have already taken, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or seek medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I identify a Percocet tablet just by looking at its shape and color?

No. While many Percocet tablets are white and round, generic versions come in many different shapes and colors. The only reliable way to identify a tablet is by reading and verifying the imprint code. Two tablets that look identical may contain different drugs or strengths.

What should I do if my Percocet tablet looks different from the last time I filled my prescription?

This is normal and usually means your pharmacy dispensed a different generic manufacturer. Call your pharmacy and confirm that the imprint matches your prescription. If the imprint is correct, the tablet is the same medication even though it looks different.

Is it safe to take a tablet if I cannot read the imprint clearly?

No. If you cannot read the imprint, you cannot verify what the tablet contains. Contact your pharmacy or doctor before taking it. If you received the tablet from someone other than a pharmacy, do not take it without being able to verify the imprint.

Where can I look up a tablet imprint to verify it is Percocet?

The FDA's pill identifier at pills.nlm.nih.gov is the most reliable source. You can also ask your pharmacist to look it up, or use your pharmacy's website if they offer a pill lookup tool. Enter the imprint exactly as it appears on the tablet.