Pill Identifier & Medication Safety FAQ
⚠️ Scano helps you identify and learn about medications. It is informational only and not medical advice — always confirm with a licensed pharmacist or doctor before taking, stopping, or combining any medication.
How accurate is Scano's pill identifier?
Scano uses AI vision trained on a large medication imprint database to identify pills by imprint, color, and shape. It surfaces the most likely matches in about 3 seconds. Identification is informational — always confirm the final answer with a licensed pharmacist before taking any medication.
Can I identify a pill by a partial imprint?
Yes. Even a partial imprint combined with color and shape narrows the possibilities. Photograph the pill and Scano's AI will rank the most likely matches. If the imprint is worn off, a pharmacist can help with chemical identification.
What if Scano can't identify my pill?
If a pill is unmarked, broken, or counterfeit, AI identification may not return a confident match. Do not take it. Bring the pill to a pharmacist, who can identify it through manufacturer records or lab testing.
Is Scano FDA-approved?
Scano is an informational tool, not a medical device, so it is not FDA-approved. It helps you identify and learn about medications so you can ask your pharmacist or doctor the right questions. It does not diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice.
Is Scano a substitute for pharmacist advice?
No. Scano is informational only. Always confirm any identification and any decision to take, stop, or combine medication with a licensed pharmacist or doctor.
How do I check drug interactions?
Scano lets you check whether two or more medications may interact. Enter or scan each drug and Scano flags known interactions and their severity. This is a screening aid — confirm all interaction concerns with your pharmacist.
What's the difference between generic and brand-name drugs?
Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient, strength, and dosage form as their brand-name equivalent, but often look different (different imprint, color, or shape). That's why the same medication can appear in many forms when you identify it.
Can Scano identify a pill from a photo?
Yes. Photograph the pill in good lighting and Scano's AI vision identifies it from the image — no need to type imprint codes. It then shows uses, common dosages, and interaction warnings.
Does Scano work offline?
Pill identification uses AI processing that requires an internet connection. Once a medication's details are loaded, you can review the information you've already retrieved.
Is my health data private?
Your scans and medication lookups are private. Scano does not sell your health data. Photos used for identification are processed to return a result and are not shared with third parties for advertising.
How do I report a misidentified pill?
If you believe a result is wrong, use the in-app report option on the result screen. Reports help improve accuracy. Never act on a result you doubt — confirm with a pharmacist first.
Can I export my medication list?
Yes. You can export your saved medications so you can share an accurate list with your doctor or pharmacist during appointments.
Does Scano have an API for healthcare providers?
Provider and EMR integration access is available on request. Contact the Scano team through the support page to discuss API access for clinical workflows.
How often is the pill database updated?
The medication database is updated regularly as new drugs and generic formulations enter the market, so identifications reflect current medications.
What should I do if I took the wrong pill?
If you took or suspect you took the wrong medication, contact Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the US) or seek emergency care immediately. Scano is not for emergencies — call a professional right away.