The colour of your prescription pills may be influencing whether or not you actually take them. Many studies have been conducted over the last several decades to determine the effect colour has on the desirability of oral medication. Research shows that the colour of a pill can influence an individual’s perception of a medication, even before they try it.
Here are some interesting observations that studies have uncovered: green and blue pills are best for sedatives, red and orange pills for stimulants, yellow for antidepressants, green for anxiety and white for general pain. These findings reinforce some of the emotional connections that colours are known to be associated with. For example: yellow represents sunshine and is uplifting (antidepressants), blue is passive and calming (sedatives) and red signals brightness and excitement (stimulants).
One study showed that patients often stop taking their drugs if their pill colour changes, which typically happens when they switch to a generic drug supplier. A majority of the people interviewed said that both the shape and colour of a pill helps them to remember a specific medication and its benefits. Colour works in strange and wonderful ways.