Counterfeit pills are fake medications marketed as legitimate prescription drugs. They may look authentic, but their ingredients and strength can be unpredictable. Understanding how these products are sold and what they may contain can help you recognize the risks.

Key Facts About Counterfeit Pills

• Criminal drug networks mass-produce fake pills and falsely market them as legitimate prescription medications to deceive the American public.
• These pills are widely available, easy to purchase, and may contain fentanyl or methamphetamine. As a result, taking them can cause a fatal overdose.
• Furthermore, sellers often use social media and e-commerce platforms, making fake medication accessible to people with smartphones, including minors.
• Many counterfeit pills imitate prescription opioids such as oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®) and hydrocodone (Vicodin®). Others resemble the benzodiazepine alprazolam (Xanax®) or prescription stimulants such as amphetamine products (Adderall®).

For more background, read our article on the dangers of fake prescription pills.

Legitimate or Counterfeit Pills?

Fake medication can closely resemble genuine prescription tablets. However, matching colors, shapes, or markings cannot establish that a pill is authentic.

The images below provide a visual comparison. However, do not rely on them to decide whether medication is safe to take.

Authentic Oxycodone

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid prescribed to relieve pain. It is manufactured from compounds derived from the opium poppy. However, it also has a high potential for misuse.

For example, brand names associated with oxycodone include OxyContin®, Tylox®, and Percodan®. These products are not interchangeable because their formulations differ. In addition, some combine oxycodone with other medications.

For a visual reference, view the authentic oxycodone image.

Legit Or Counterfeit?

Authentic Oxycodone: Synthetic opioid drug prescribed for pain as OxyContin®, Tylox®, and Percodan®. These drugs are derived from one species of the poppy plant, and have a high potential for abuse.

Counterfeit: Street Names: 30s; 40s; 512s; Beans; Blues; Buttons; Cotton; Greens; Hillbilly Heroin; Kickers; Killers; Muchachas; Mujeres; OC; Oxy; Oxy 80s; Roxy; Roxy Shorts; Whites

Download the drug factsheet and learn more at the US DEA’s website. 

Counterfeit Oxycodone and Common Street Names

Fake tablets may be sold as oxycodone even though they contain different substances. Therefore, a seller’s description or a familiar street name does not confirm what is inside.

Names associated with oxycodone and pills marketed as oxycodone include:

30s; 40s; 512s; Beans; Blues; Buttons; Cotton; Greens; Hillbilly Heroin; Kickers; Killers; Muchachas; Mujeres; OC; Oxy; Oxy 80s; Roxy; Roxy Shorts; Whites.

These names do not distinguish genuine medication from counterfeit products.

View the counterfeit pill image

Learn More About the Risks

To reduce the risk of receiving fake medication, obtain prescription drugs from a licensed pharmacy and take them as directed by your medical professional. Avoid pills sold through unverified sellers or social media accounts.

Additionally, read our facts about fentanyl to learn why this opioid is dangerous and how to recognize overdose warning signs.

For additional information, download the DEA’s December 2021 drug fact sheet and learn more at the US DEA’s website. The fact sheet is a historical resource; visit the current DEA One Pill Can Kill page for updated information.