The number “93” stamped on a pill is a manufacturer identifier used by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, one of the world’s largest producers of generic medications. On its own, “93” does not point to a single drug. It appears on dozens of different generics ranging from blood pressure medications and anti-seizure drugs to anti-anxiety tablets and pain relievers. To know exactly what a “93” pill contains, you need the complete imprint, which typically includes additional numbers or letters on the other side, along with the pill’s color and shape. That said, several of the most commonly encountered “93” pills are widely prescribed drugs with well-studied uses and side-effect profiles worth understanding.
How to Read the Full Imprint
Every prescription pill sold in the United States is required by the FDA to carry a unique imprint that allows it to be identified. For Teva generics, “93” usually appears on one side of the tablet while a second set of numbers appears on the other. That second set is what distinguishes the actual medication. A pill stamped “93” on one side and “314” on the other, for instance, is ketorolac (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), while “93” paired with “833” is clonazepam (used for seizures and panic disorder). Without the full code, attempting to identify a loose pill by just one side is like trying to dial a phone number with half the digits missing.
If you have found a pill and cannot read all the markings clearly, the safest step is to bring it to a pharmacist. Online pill identifier tools from reputable pharmacy databases can also help if you enter the complete imprint, the shape (round, oval, oblong), and the color. Do not take a pill based on partial identification.
Common Medications That Carry a 93 Imprint
Because Teva manufactures such a wide catalog of generics, the “93” imprint can show up on medications for very different conditions. Below are some of the pill types people encounter most often.
- Alprazolam: A benzodiazepine prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. It is one of the most widely prescribed benzodiazepines in the United States. Several Teva-manufactured alprazolam tablets carry a “93” imprint alongside a second number that indicates the dose strength.
- Carbamazepine: An anticonvulsant used to treat epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia, and certain mood disorders. Teva’s generic carbamazepine tablets bear the “93” code in combination with additional digits.
- Candesartan: An angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
- Naproxen: An over-the-counter and prescription-strength NSAID used for pain, inflammation, and fever.
- Metformin: A first-line medication for type 2 diabetes that helps control blood sugar.
These five alone cover conditions affecting hundreds of millions of people, which is part of why a pill with “93” on it surfaces so frequently in medicine cabinets and searches alike. The uses, side effects, and safety considerations differ sharply between them, so everything that follows depends on which specific medication you actually have.
Side Effects of Common 93-Imprinted Drugs
Side effects vary enormously depending on which drug the pill contains. Here is a practical overview of what to expect from the medications most often found with this imprint.
Alprazolam
Drowsiness and fatigue are the side effects most people notice first. Because alprazolam works by calming activity in the central nervous system, you may also experience lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, and slowed reaction times. These effects tend to be strongest when you first start the drug or when a dose is increased. Less common but more concerning reactions include mood changes, memory problems, and impaired coordination that raises fall risk, especially in older adults.
Carbamazepine
In a study of 220 children receiving carbamazepine, drowsiness, loss of coordination, and vertigo were the most commonly observed side effects. Importantly, most side effects associated with carbamazepine are described as mild, transient, and reversible with dosage adjustment.1PubMed Central. Vertigo/dizziness as a Drugs’ adverse reaction Adults experience similar issues, and carbamazepine also carries a rare but serious risk of skin reactions and changes in blood cell counts, which is why doctors typically monitor blood work during the first months of treatment.
Naproxen and Other NSAIDs
Stomach irritation, heartburn, and nausea are the most frequent complaints. With prolonged use, NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers and kidney strain. In overdose scenarios, management is largely supportive because no specific antidote exists for acute NSAID toxicity.2PubMed Central. The patterns of toxicity and management of acute nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) overdose Taking naproxen with food and using the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time are the standard ways to minimize gastrointestinal trouble.
Candesartan
Blood pressure medications in the ARB class tend to be well tolerated compared to older antihypertensive classes. Dizziness on standing, mild headache, and back pain are among the more common reports. Serious side effects are uncommon but can include elevated potassium levels and, very rarely, a type of allergic swelling called angioedema.
Drug Interactions and Polypharmacy Risks
Many of the drugs stamped with “93” have meaningful interactions with other medications, and the risk climbs steeply when someone is taking multiple prescriptions at once. A study of elderly patients with polypharmacy found that dangerous drug combinations were present in roughly 95% of patients assessed, and about a quarter showed up at the emergency department with symptoms linked to those interactions. A significant correlation was observed between drug interactions and symptoms like shortness of breath and bleeding.3Medical Science and Discovery. An investigation of inappropriate medication use and dangerous drug combinations in elderly patients with polypharmacy
Some interactions specific to common “93” pills deserve attention. Alprazolam, for example, is metabolized by the same liver enzyme system that processes many other drugs, meaning medications like certain antifungals, antibiotics, and even grapefruit juice can amplify its sedative effects. Carbamazepine is a particularly potent enzyme inducer: it can speed up the breakdown of birth control pills, blood thinners, and other anticonvulsants, potentially making them less effective. Candesartan combined with potassium-sparing diuretics can push potassium levels dangerously high. And NSAIDs taken alongside blood thinners increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding considerably.
The practical takeaway is that if you find a pill with “93” on it and cannot confirm what it is, taking it without consulting a pharmacist or doctor is genuinely risky, not just because you might not need that medication, but because it could interact with something you are already taking.
Why Stopping Certain 93 Pills Abruptly Can Cause Problems
Some of the medications that carry a “93” imprint belong to drug classes where abrupt discontinuation is a serious concern. Benzodiazepines like alprazolam are perhaps the best-known example. Alprazolam is widely recognized for its misuse liability and withdrawal syndrome, and clinical reviews have examined its pharmacodynamic properties alongside better prescription practices to reduce these risks.4PubMed Central. A Review of Alprazolam Use, Misuse, and Withdrawal Stopping alprazolam suddenly after regular use can trigger rebound anxiety, insomnia, tremors, and in severe cases, seizures. Tapering under medical supervision is essential.
Antidepressants and antipsychotics, while less commonly associated with the “93” imprint, follow similar principles when being discontinued. Research on antidepressant tapering found that a discontinuation syndrome (defined as three or more new symptoms on a standard checklist) occurred in 46% of patients, and those stopping drugs with shorter half-lives experienced significantly worse discontinuation symptoms. Four patients in that study, all on paroxetine, developed suicidal ideation after tapering, underscoring the seriousness of supervised withdrawal.5PubMed. The effect of rate of antidepressant tapering on the incidence of discontinuation symptoms: a randomised study
For antipsychotic medications, researchers have suggested that tapering should proceed gradually over months or even years, using a hyperbolic approach where each dose reduction is smaller than the last, at intervals of three to six months, adjusted to individual tolerance.6PubMed Central. A Method for Tapering Antipsychotic Treatment That May Minimize the Risk of Relapse The shared lesson across all these drug classes is the same: if a pill with “93” on it is something you have been taking regularly, do not stop it cold turkey without medical guidance.
Special Considerations for Older Adults and People With Organ Impairment
Several of the drugs commonly stamped with “93” require dose adjustments in specific populations. Candesartan is a clear example. Pharmacokinetic modeling has shown that elderly patients with moderate or severe kidney impairment may need doses reduced to roughly 64% to 68% of the standard healthy adult dose, while those with significant liver impairment may need as little as 52% of the normal dose.7PubMed Central. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of candesartan to predict the exposure in hepatic and renal impairment and elderly populations Even otherwise healthy older adults may need a slight reduction because the body processes the drug more slowly with age.
Alprazolam and other benzodiazepines carry elevated risks in older adults for a different reason: they increase the likelihood of falls, confusion, and excessive sedation. Many geriatric prescribing guidelines recommend avoiding benzodiazepines in people over 65 whenever possible. If a benzodiazepine is necessary, the starting dose is typically half or less of what would be given to a younger adult.
NSAIDs, too, are more hazardous in older adults because of their effects on kidney function, blood pressure, and the stomach lining. For someone with existing kidney disease or heart failure, even short-term NSAID use can tip the balance. This is part of why finding an unidentified “93” pill and taking it based on a guess about what it might be is especially dangerous for older adults or anyone with chronic health conditions.
The Counterfeit Pill Problem
An entirely different reason to be cautious about unidentified pills is the growing prevalence of counterfeits that look convincingly like legitimate prescription medications. A study examining over 1,200 counterfeit pills seized by law enforcement in New Jersey between 2017 and 2022 found that about 84% contained at least one controlled substance or pharmaceutical compound. Fentanyl showed up in 62% of the pills. Among 513 pills that were visually identified as oxycodone, 93% actually contained fentanyl and none contained any oxycodone at all. Among 348 pills that looked like alprazolam, about 49% contained flualprazolam, a designer benzodiazepine, and none contained actual alprazolam.8PubMed Central. Substances in Counterfeit Prescription Pills Seized by Law Enforcement, 2017-2022
These findings are alarming because counterfeit pills are manufactured to mimic legitimate imprints, colors, and shapes. A fake pill stamped to look like a Teva generic could carry a “93” marking and yet contain something entirely different from what the real pill would contain. This is especially relevant for controlled substances like alprazolam and oxycodone, which are among the most frequently counterfeited medications. Xylazine, an animal sedative with no approved human use, was detected in about 16% of the seized pills, adding another layer of unpredictability.
The realistic advice here is simple: only take pills dispensed to you directly by a licensed pharmacy. Pills obtained from friends, purchased online from unverified sources, or found loose without their original packaging cannot be trusted based on appearance alone, no matter how familiar the markings look.
Hidden Ingredients in Unregulated Products
The counterfeit issue extends beyond prescription lookalikes. Herbal and dietary supplements sold as pills sometimes contain undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients. One documented case involved a 17-year-old who took herbal weight-loss pills and arrived at the emergency room with palpitations, dizziness, anxiety, and insomnia. The pills turned out to contain sibutramine, a weight-loss drug that had been withdrawn from the market in many countries due to cardiovascular risks. She was treated with intravenous diazepam for restlessness and discharged after 12 hours of observation.9PubMed Central. Herbal weight loss pill overdose: sibutramine hidden in pepper pill
While this particular case did not involve a “93” imprint, it illustrates a broader point about pill safety. The markings on a pill are only as trustworthy as the supply chain that produced it. Legitimate generic manufacturers like Teva follow strict quality controls, and their imprint codes are cataloged in national databases. But if a pill did not come to you through a pharmacy, those markings offer no guarantee about what is actually inside.
When Food Matters and When It Does Not
A common question after identifying a pill is whether to take it with food. The answer depends on the specific drug. Some medications are absorbed significantly differently in the presence of a meal, while others are barely affected. For many oral medications, taking them with food slows absorption slightly but does not change the total amount absorbed in a clinically meaningful way. Carbamazepine, for instance, is usually recommended with food to reduce stomach upset rather than because food changes how much drug enters the bloodstream.
NSAIDs like naproxen are also typically taken with food or a full glass of water to protect the stomach lining, though this is more about tolerability than pharmacokinetics. Alprazolam can be taken with or without food. Candesartan is similarly flexible. For blood pressure medications in general, consistency matters more than the specific timing around meals. If you always take it with breakfast, keep doing so; if you always take it on an empty stomach, that works too. The key is not switching back and forth unpredictably.
Your pharmacist’s label on the bottle is the most reliable guide for any specific medication. If you no longer have the bottle and are not sure, a quick call to your pharmacy can confirm whether your particular drug needs to be taken in any special way relative to meals.
How to Safely Identify and Dispose of Unknown Pills
If you have come across a pill with “93” on it and cannot determine what it is, there are a few practical steps worth taking. First, note every marking on the pill, including both sides, the color, shape, and whether it is scored (has a line for splitting). Enter these details into a reputable pill identification tool such as the one maintained by the National Library of Medicine or your pharmacy chain’s app.
If the pill belongs to you but you have lost track of which prescription it came from, your pharmacist can look up your dispensing history and help match it. If the pill is not yours, do not take it under any circumstances. Even correctly identified pills prescribed for someone else may be the wrong drug, wrong dose, or dangerously interactive with your own medications.
For disposal, the FDA recommends mixing unwanted pills with an unpalatable substance like coffee grounds or dirt, sealing them in a container, and placing them in the trash. Certain medications, particularly opioids and benzodiazepines, are on a special list of drugs the FDA recommends flushing rather than trashing, because the risk of accidental ingestion by children or pets is considered greater than the environmental concern. Many pharmacies and police stations also host drug take-back programs that accept unwanted medications year-round, which is the most straightforward option if one is available near you.