What Vicodin tablets look like
Vicodin tablets are small, oval or oblong pills that usually appear white or off-white in color. The most common form contains hydrocodone bitartrate (an opioid pain reliever) and acetaminophen (a fever and pain reducer). Most Vicodin tablets are imprinted with identifying numbers and letters on one or both sides, which help you confirm what you are holding and verify the dosage strength.
The tablet size and exact appearance depend on the dosage. A standard Vicodin tablet is roughly the size of a large aspirin or ibuprofen tablet — small enough to swallow whole with water. The imprint is usually raised or indented into the surface, making it readable by touch as well as sight.
Because Vicodin is a prescription medication, the appearance is strictly controlled by the manufacturer and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means a genuine Vicodin tablet will always match one of a small number of known designs. If a tablet looks unusual, has unclear markings, or does not match any known imprint, it may not be what it claims to be.
Key Takeaways
- Vicodin tablets are small, white or off-white ovals or oblongs with raised or indented imprints on the surface.
- The imprint always includes numbers and letters that identify the dosage strength and the manufacturer.
- Common imprints include "VICODIN" plus numbers, or manufacturer codes like "M367" or "IP 110" depending on the brand and strength.
- You can verify any tablet imprint using the FDA's pill identifier tool or a pharmacy reference to confirm the drug name, dosage, and manufacturer.
- If a tablet looks damaged, has faded markings, or does not match a known imprint, do not take it and contact your pharmacist.
Common Vicodin imprints and what they mean
Each Vicodin tablet carries an imprint that serves as a fingerprint for that specific product. The imprint tells you the manufacturer, the exact dosage of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, and sometimes the strength. For example, a tablet marked "VICODIN" on one side and "500" on the other typically contains 5 mg of hydrocodone and 500 mg of acetaminophen.
Different manufacturers produce generic versions of Vicodin, and each uses its own imprint code. A tablet marked "M367" is a generic version made by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals containing 10 mg hydrocodone and 660 mg acetaminophen. A tablet marked "IP 110" is made by Ipsen and contains 10 mg hydrocodone and 660 mg acetaminophen. A tablet marked "3601" is a generic containing 5 mg hydrocodone and 500 mg acetaminophen.
The imprint is not random — it is assigned by the FDA and the manufacturer to prevent confusion and allow healthcare providers and patients to identify the exact medication and dose. If you receive a tablet without a clear imprint, or with an imprint you cannot find in a reference database, ask your pharmacist before taking it.
How to verify a Vicodin tablet using the imprint
The fastest way to confirm what tablet you are holding is to use the FDA's pill identifier tool, available free at drugs.com or on the FDA's own website. You enter the imprint exactly as it appears on the tablet — including all numbers, letters, and symbols — and the tool returns the drug name, dosage, manufacturer, and shape.
Your pharmacy receipt or the original prescription bottle also lists the imprint. If you have lost the bottle, compare the imprint on your tablet to the one printed on your receipt. If they do not match, contact the pharmacy that filled the prescription before taking the medication.
You can also call your pharmacy directly and read the imprint to the pharmacist. They have access to the same reference databases and can tell you when ready whether the tablet is correct, what it contains, and whether it is safe to take with any other medications you use.
Why tablet appearance matters for safety
Prescription medications are manufactured under strict quality control, which means every genuine Vicodin tablet from the same batch looks identical. The color, size, shape, and imprint are all standardized. If you receive a tablet that looks different from your previous refills — a different color, a blurry imprint, or a different shape — that is a sign something is wrong.
Counterfeit or contaminated tablets sometimes circulate, especially if obtained outside a licensed pharmacy. These fake tablets may look similar to real Vicodin but contain incorrect doses, harmful substances, or no active ingredient at all. Checking the imprint and comparing it to a reference source is one of the few ways to catch a problem before you take the medication.
If you notice any change in how your medication looks, feels, or smells, do not take it. Contact your pharmacy or doctor instead. A few minutes of verification can prevent a serious mistake.
Differences between brand-name and generic Vicodin tablets
Brand-name Vicodin and generic versions contain the same active ingredients in the same doses, but they may look different. Brand-name Vicodin tablets are typically white and oval, with "VICODIN" printed clearly on one side. Generic versions come from different manufacturers and may be slightly different colors — some are white, some are off-white or cream-colored — and carry different imprints.
The difference in appearance does not mean one is better or worse than the other. The FDA requires all versions, brand-name and generic, to meet the same standards for purity, strength, and safety. The imprint is straightforward the manufacturer's way of identifying their product. Your insurance may cover only the generic version, or your doctor may have specified brand-name, but either way the medication works the same way in your body.
If your pharmacy switches you from one version to another, ask them to show you the new imprint so you can record it. This way, if you receive a different-looking tablet at your next refill, you will know whether it is a normal change or a mistake.
What to do if you cannot identify your tablet
If you have a tablet you cannot identify — because the imprint is unclear, worn off, or straightforward unfamiliar — do not guess. Use the FDA's pill identifier tool with whatever information you can read. If the imprint is too faded or damaged to read clearly, take a photo and bring it to your pharmacy.
Your pharmacist can identify the tablet by sight, by running it through their own reference system, or by testing it if necessary. They can also tell you whether it is safe to take with your other medications, what the correct dose is, and whether you should be taking it at all. This takes a few minutes and costs nothing.
If you received the tablet from a source other than a licensed pharmacy — a friend, an online seller, or someone else — your pharmacist may advise you not to take it. Medications obtained outside the pharmacy supply chain cannot be verified as genuine, and taking them carries real risk.
Storing and handling Vicodin tablets safely
Keep Vicodin tablets in their original prescription bottle with the label intact. The label includes the imprint, the dosage, the number of tablets, and the expiration date. If you transfer tablets to a pill organizer or another container, write the imprint and expiration date on that container so you can still identify them later.
Store tablets in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Do not store them in a bathroom medicine cabinet, where humidity can damage the tablet and fade the imprint. If a tablet becomes discolored, crumbly, or develops an unusual smell, do not take it.
Keep the original bottle even after you finish the medication, at least until you are certain you will not need to reference it. If you have questions about a refill months later, the old bottle label can help your pharmacist confirm what you were previously taking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell the strength of Vicodin just by looking at it?
Not reliably. You need to read the imprint. The imprint includes numbers that correspond to the dose — for example, "5" usually means 5 mg of hydrocodone, and "10" means 10 mg. But the imprint is the only way to know for certain. Never assume based on color or size alone.
What if my Vicodin tablet looks different from last time?
Call your pharmacy before taking it. A change in appearance can mean your prescription was refilled with a different generic manufacturer, which is normal and safe. But it could also mean a mistake was made. Your pharmacist can confirm the imprint matches your prescription in seconds.
Is it safe to take a Vicodin tablet if the imprint is partially worn off?
Not without verification. If you cannot read the imprint clearly enough to identify it, contact your pharmacy. Do not guess or assume. A worn or faded imprint is a sign the tablet may be old, damaged, or counterfeit.
Can I use the pill identifier tool on my phone?
Yes. The FDA's pill identifier is available as a web tool at drugs.com and through several pharmacy apps. You can also photograph the imprint and search it online, though the official FDA tool is the most reliable. Always verify the result with your pharmacist if you have any doubt.
What should I do if I think I received the wrong medication?
Do not take it. Contact your pharmacy when ready with the imprint and your prescription details. They can check their records, confirm whether a mistake was made, and either correct it or advise you on next steps. Most pharmacies will replace the medication at no cost if an error occurred.