M30 pills can create urgent questions when you find one loose or outside its original bottle. You may need to know whether it is prescription oxycodone, another medicine, or a counterfeit tablet containing fentanyl. Color and imprint alone cannot confirm its contents, and taking an unknown pill can cause a fatal overdose.
Two legitimate blue tablets can carry M and 30 markings: oxycodone hydrochloride 30 mg and clorazepate dipotassium 3.75 mg. Counterfeit tablets can copy these markings closely. This guide explains how to read the imprint, what prescription oxycodone does, how to recognize an opioid overdose, and which safety steps to take.
Emergency: If someone cannot be awakened, has slow or shallow breathing, or has blue, gray, or pale lips, give naloxone if available and call 911. Stay with the person until emergency help arrives.
What are M30 pills?
The name M30 usually refers to a prescription oxycodone hydrochloride 30 mg tablet. On this product, the “M” is part of the pill imprint, and “30” shows the labeled strength. In the United States, it is a Schedule II controlled substance. It has an accepted medical use. Misuse can lead to severe physical or mental dependence.
The same name is also used for counterfeit tablets sold as oxycodone, “Perc 30,” or “blues.” Other names include “dirty 30s,” “Mexican blues,” and “M-boxes.” The name alone cannot confirm the drug or dose inside a pill.
Clorazepate dipotassium 3.75 mg also uses an M and 30. Both markings appear on the same scored side.
M30 pill identification
A prescription oxycodone M30 tablet has these identifying features:
| Identification detail | Prescription oxycodone M30 |
|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Oxycodone hydrochloride |
| Strength | 30 mg |
| Color | Light blue |
| Shape | Round and convex |
| Size | About 6 mm |
| One side | Boxed M |
| Other side | 30 above a score line |
| Release type | Immediate-release |
| Availability | Prescription only |
| Federal schedule | Schedule II |
| NDC family | 0406-8530 |
| Packager | SpecGx LLC |
These details describe the expected pharmacy product. They cannot prove that a loose tablet is genuine because illegal pill presses can copy its appearance.
Oxycodone 30 mg tablets from other manufacturers may use different colors or imprints. Other strengths have separate designs too. For example, the M 05 52 pill is a white 5 mg immediate-release oxycodone tablet.
Another blue tablet marked M 30
Clorazepate dipotassium 3.75 mg is another blue, round prescription tablet with an M and 30. Clorazepate is a benzodiazepine. It is used for anxiety disorders and symptoms of sudden alcohol withdrawal. It can also be added to other medicines for some partial seizures.
| Feature | Oxycodone 30 mg | Clorazepate 3.75 mg |
|---|---|---|
| Imprint layout | Boxed M on one side; 30 and a score on the other | M above the score and 30 below it on the same side |
| Reverse side | Boxed M | Blank |
| Color and shape | Light blue and round | Blue and round |
| Size | About 6 mm | About 7 mm |
| Drug type | Opioid pain medicine | Benzodiazepine |
| Federal schedule | Schedule II | Schedule IV |
Check both sides of any tablet and its original container. Ask a pharmacist before taking a pill when any detail is unclear.
Counterfeit M30 pills and fentanyl risk
Counterfeit tablets are made to resemble prescription medicines. They may contain no active drug, the wrong drug, or the wrong amount. Some fake oxycodone tablets contain illegally made fentanyl. Others may contain carfentanil, another opioid, or mixtures of drugs and fillers.
Counterfeit M30 tablets can range from white to blue and may appear in different shapes. Color cannot confirm what is inside.
Contents can vary from pill to pill, even within one batch. A person who expects oxycodone may receive a much stronger opioid without knowing it.
Why visual identification cannot confirm an M30 pill
Appearance cannot confirm the contents. Small differences in color, edges, score lines, or imprint depth cannot prove whether a pill is real. A well-made fake may closely match the prescription tablet.
Use only medicine prescribed to you and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy. Keep it in its labeled container so the name, strength, pharmacy, and prescription number can be checked.
A pharmacist can compare the imprint and packaging with drug records. Chemical testing is needed to determine the exact contents of an unknown loose pill.
What U.S. testing has found in counterfeit blue pills
In January 2025, a New Mexico drug-checking program tested 6 counterfeit M30 pill samples that people expected to contain fentanyl. Fentanyl was found in 4 samples, and carfentanil was found in 3. The sample was small and came from one state in one month. These results cover only that local sample.
Washington drug-checking data groups samples sold as M30 with pills that people often expected to contain fentanyl. The results are cumulative. Drug residue left in a reused container can mix with a new sample. Because of this, an unusual combination does not always prove that the drugs were sold together.
Researchers reviewed 352 suspected counterfeit M30 cases at one Western U.S. hospital from 2017 through 2022. Of these, 143 involved fentanyl exposure and 209 involved acute withdrawal. Among the exposure cases, 81.1% of patients were admitted to the hospital. Of those admitted, 69% went to an intensive care unit. Two patients died in the hospital.
Patients ages 15 to 34 made up 67.4% of the exposure cases with age data. Tests found other substances in 91.6% of exposures. Some patients may have used those substances separately. The study relied partly on what patients reported and came from one hospital, so it cannot give a national rate.
Fentanyl test strips have limits
Fentanyl test strips can detect fentanyl in a prepared sample. They do not identify the amount, and they do not test for every dangerous substance.
They also cannot distinguish fentanyl from carfentanil.
A negative result cannot prove that a pill is safe. Fentanyl may be spread unevenly, so the small piece tested may contain none while another part does.
Signs of an opioid overdose
Oxycodone, fentanyl, and carfentanil can slow breathing. An opioid overdose can become fatal within a short time.
Watch for these signs:
- The person cannot be awakened.
- Breathing is slow, shallow, irregular, or stopped.
- Choking, snoring, or gurgling sounds come from a person who will not wake up.
- The pupils are very small and do not react to light.
- The lips, nails, or skin turn blue, gray, or unusually pale.
- The body becomes limp.
Treat the situation as an overdose when you are unsure. Waiting for every sign can delay care.
What to do during a suspected M30 overdose
Use these steps during a suspected opioid overdose:
- Give naloxone if it is available and call 911.
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- Follow the naloxone package directions. Give another dose if the instructions call for it and the person does not respond.
- Place the person on their side to reduce the risk of choking.
- Stay with the person until emergency workers arrive.
Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose for a limited time. Emergency care is still needed because overdose symptoms can return after the naloxone wears off. A person exposed to a potent opioid may need more than one dose.
Naloxone nasal spray is available over the counter in the United States. People prescribed oxycodone and members of their household can ask a pharmacist how to keep and use it.
If someone took an unknown pill but has no life-threatening symptoms, contact Poison Control online or call 1-800-222-1222. The service is free and confidential in the United States. Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened.
What is prescription M30 oxycodone used for?
Doctors may prescribe oxycodone for severe pain when other treatments do not give enough relief or cannot be used. For adults using this product as their first opioid pain medicine, the recommended initial range is 5 to 15 mg. The 30 mg tablet is the highest strength available for this product and requires individual dose selection by a clinician.
Many factors affect the correct dose. They include the cause of pain, earlier opioid use, other medicines, health conditions, and the person’s response. Take oxycodone only at the dose and times written on your own prescription. Never choose a dose from a pill imprint or another person’s prescription.
M30, Percocet, and OxyContin compared
These products all involve oxycodone, but their ingredients or release forms differ.
| Product | Active ingredients | Release type |
|---|---|---|
| Prescription M30 tablet | Oxycodone hydrochloride 30 mg | Immediate-release |
| Percocet | Oxycodone plus acetaminophen | Immediate-release |
| OxyContin | Oxycodone | Extended-release, designed for dosing every 12 hours |
The M30 tablet’s only active drug is oxycodone. Percocet combines oxycodone with acetaminophen. The 512 pill guide covers a white, round, scored 12 mm product containing oxycodone 5 mg and acetaminophen 325 mg. OxyContin contains extended-release oxycodone.
Counterfeit sellers may use these names loosely. The name used during a sale does not confirm the ingredients.
How oxycodone affects the body
Oxycodone attaches to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This reduces how the body feels and responds to pain. It can also cause sleepiness, dizziness, slower thinking, and slower breathing.
Immediate-release oxycodone has an average half-life of about 3.5 to 4 hours. A half-life tells how quickly the body removes a drug. It does not tell you when it is safe to take another dose, drive, drink alcohol, or use another medicine.
Oxycodone can impair judgment and physical reactions. Do not drive or use dangerous machinery until you know how oxycodone affects you.
Common side effects of oxycodone
Common side effects listed for immediate-release oxycodone include:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Itching
- Trouble sleeping
- Weakness or tiredness
- Stomach pain
Constipation is common during opioid treatment. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist how to prevent or manage it. Contact them if any side effect is severe, does not go away, or gets worse.
Serious side effects
Get urgent medical help for:
- Slow, shallow, or difficult breathing
- Extreme sleepiness or inability to wake
- Fainting or severe weakness
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Severe confusion
- A seizure
- Signs of serotonin syndrome, such as agitation, fever, heavy sweating, stiff muscles, or a fast heartbeat
Breathing problems can occur even when oxycodone is used as directed. The risk is higher when treatment begins, after a dose increase, or when oxycodone is combined with substances that cause sleepiness.
Call your prescriber if pain gets worse, new pain starts, or you become more sensitive to pain. Do not take extra tablets unless your prescriber tells you to.
Oxycodone interactions and safety warnings
Alcohol, benzodiazepines, sleeping medicines, muscle relaxants, gabapentin, pregabalin, other opioids, and sedating mental health medicines can increase sleepiness and slow breathing. Combining these substances may cause coma or death.
Some antibiotics, antifungal medicines, HIV medicines, and seizure medicines can change the level of oxycodone in the body. Starting or stopping one can raise the risk of overdose or withdrawal. Give your prescriber and pharmacist a complete list of prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements.
Oxycodone should not be used by someone with seriously slowed breathing. It also should not be used by someone with acute or severe asthma without medical monitoring, a known or suspected bowel blockage, or an allergy to oxycodone. Older adults may need closer monitoring. People with lung, liver, or kidney disease, a head injury, or a seizure disorder may also need closer monitoring.
Long-term opioid use during pregnancy can cause withdrawal in a newborn. Oxycodone also passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Dependence, withdrawal, and opioid use disorder
Tolerance, physical dependence, and opioid use disorder have different medical meanings.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tolerance | The body responds less to the same amount of an opioid over time. |
| Physical dependence | The body adapts to regular use and develops withdrawal symptoms when the drug is stopped. |
| Opioid use disorder | Opioid use causes serious problems or loss of control over use. |
Physical dependence can occur during prescribed treatment. Suddenly stopping regular oxycodone use can cause serious withdrawal, uncontrolled pain, and other harm. A prescriber can plan a slow dose reduction when the medicine needs to be reduced or stopped.
Possible withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, sweating, runny nose, yawning, muscle aches, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping. Get medical advice about withdrawal, especially after regular oxycodone or fentanyl use.
Signs of opioid use disorder
Possible signs include:
- Taking opioids in larger amounts or for longer than intended
- Being unable to cut down despite trying
- Having strong cravings
- Missing work, school, or home duties because of opioid use
- Continuing to use opioids despite health or relationship harm
A clinician uses a full assessment to make the diagnosis. Tolerance or withdrawal alone does not confirm opioid use disorder when a person takes opioids only as prescribed.
Opioid use disorder is treatable. FDA-approved medicines include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. You can search for a licensed U.S. provider through FindTreatment.gov or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Safe storage and disposal
Keep prescribed oxycodone in its original labeled container. Store it securely. Keep it out of sight and reach of children, visitors, and anyone for whom it was not prescribed. Accidental ingestion of even one dose can cause a fatal overdose, especially in a child. Do not share or sell it.
Use a drug take-back location or prepaid mail-back envelope when the medicine is no longer needed. Oxycodone appears on the FDA flush list, so it may be flushed when a take-back option is unavailable. Follow the medication guide and local disposal rules.
Frequently asked questions
Are all blue M30 pills oxycodone?
A blue tablet marked M30 may be pharmacy-dispensed oxycodone, a counterfeit pill, or clorazepate 3.75 mg with a different imprint arrangement. Counterfeit M30 tablets can also be white or another shade. Check both sides, the original container, and the prescription record.
Can a pharmacist confirm a loose M30 pill?
A pharmacist can compare its imprint, color, shape, and packaging with official records. Appearance cannot reveal the exact chemicals inside an unknown loose pill. Laboratory testing is needed for that level of confirmation.
Does a prescription M30 pill contain acetaminophen?
The prescription M30 described above has oxycodone hydrochloride as its only active drug. It does not contain acetaminophen as an active ingredient. Percocet contains both drugs. The contents of a counterfeit tablet are unknown and may include unexpected ingredients.
Does a negative fentanyl test mean the pill is safe?
The tested piece may miss fentanyl found elsewhere in the pill. A strip also cannot show the dose or identify every dangerous substance. A negative result cannot prove that an unknown tablet is safe.
Will naloxone work on fentanyl or carfentanil?
Naloxone can reverse overdose effects caused by opioids, including fentanyl and carfentanil. More than one dose may be needed. Give naloxone according to its directions, call 911, and remain with the person.
What should you do if you find an unknown M30 pill?
Do not take it or give it to someone else. Keep it away from children and pets. A pharmacist or Poison Control can advise you about identification and safe disposal. Call 911 after any exposure that causes collapse, a seizure, breathing trouble, or inability to wake.
References
- DailyMed: Oxycodone Hydrochloride Tablets
- DailyMed: Clorazepate Dipotassium Tablets
- Drugs.com: M 30 Pill Identifier
- DailyMed: Percocet Tablets
- DailyMed: OxyContin Extended-Release Tablets
- DEA: Counterfeit Pills Fact Sheet
- DEA: One Pill Can Kill
- Salt Lake City Police Department: Fake Prescription Pill Warning
- CDC: Suspected Counterfeit M30 Exposures and Acute Withdrawals
- CDC: Detection of Illegally Manufactured Fentanyls and Carfentanil
- CDC: What to Do If You Think Someone Is Overdosing
- CDC: Opioid Use Disorder Diagnosis
- New Mexico Department of Health: Drug Check Data Report
- University of Washington: Drug-Checking Results for Samples Sold as M30
- University of Washington: Drug-Checking Results for Samples Sold as Fentanyl or M30
- PMC: Fentanyl in Pressed Oxycodone Pills
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Fentanyl
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Naloxone
- FDA: Where and How to Dispose of Unused Medicines
Medical disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not replace advice from a doctor, pharmacist, or poison specialist. Do not use color, shape, or imprint alone to decide whether a pill is safe to take. Call 911 for severe symptoms or a suspected overdose.