2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T43.611A

Poisoning by caffeine, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Code:
T43.611A
ICD-10 Code for:
Poisoning by caffeine, accidental (unintentional), init
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
    (S00–T88)
    • Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances
      (T36-T50)
      • Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of psychotropic drugs, not elsewhere classified
        (T43)

T43.611A is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of poisoning by caffeine, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

T43.611A is an initial encounter code, includes a 7th character and should be used while the patient is receiving active treatment for a condition like poisoning by caffeine accidental (unintentional). According to ICD-10-CM Guidelines an "initial encounter" doesn't necessarily means "initial visit". The 7th character should be used when the patient is undergoing active treatment regardless if new or different providers saw the patient over the course of a treatment. The appropriate 7th character codes should also be used even if the patient delayed seeking treatment for a condition.

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

  • Accidental caffeine overdose
  • Accidental phosphodiesterase inhibitor overdose
  • Accidental phosphodiesterase inhibitor poisoning
  • Accidental phosphodiesterase inhibitor poisoning
  • Accidental poisoning by caffeine
  • Caffeine overdose
  • Poisoning by caffeine
  • Poisoning by caffeine
  • Poisoning by caffeine
  • Xanthine and/or xanthine derivative overdose
  • Xanthine and/or xanthine derivative overdose

Clinical Classification

Clinical CategoryCCSR Category CodeInpatient Default CCSROutpatient Default CCSR
External cause codes: intent of injury, accidental/unintentionalEXT020N - Not default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.N - Not default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
External cause codes: poisoning by drugEXT014N - Not default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.N - Not default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Poisoning by drugs, initial encounterINJ022Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.
Stimulant-related disordersMBD021N - Not default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.N - Not default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Clinical Information

  • Caffeine

    a methylxanthine naturally occurring in some beverages and also used as a pharmacological agent. caffeine's most notable pharmacological effect is as a central nervous system stimulant, increasing alertness and producing agitation. it also relaxes smooth muscle, stimulates cardiac muscle, stimulates diuresis, and appears to be useful in the treatment of some types of headache. several cellular actions of caffeine have been observed, but it is not entirely clear how each contributes to its pharmacological profile. among the most important are inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, antagonism of adenosine receptors, and modulation of intracellular calcium handling.
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2

    a cytochrome p450 enzyme subtype that has specificity for relatively planar heteroaromatic small molecules, such as caffeine and acetaminophen.

Coding Guidelines

When coding a poisoning or reaction to the improper use of a medication (e.g., overdose, wrong substance given or taken in error, wrong route of administration), first assign the appropriate code from categories T36-T50. The poisoning codes have an associated intent as their 5th or 6th character (accidental, intentional self-harm, assault and undetermined. If the intent of the poisoning is unknown or unspecified, code the intent as accidental intent. The undetermined intent is only for use if the documentation in the record specifies that the intent cannot be determined. Use additional code(s) for all manifestations of poisonings.

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of psychotropic drugs, not elsewhere classified (T43). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

  • A - initial encounter
  • D - subsequent encounter
  • S - sequela

Convert T43.611A to ICD-9-CM

  • ICD-9-CM Code: 969.71 - Poisoning by caffeine
    Combination Flag - Multiple codes are needed to describe the source diagnosis code. Correct coding should be done based on contextual judgment.
  • ICD-9-CM Code: E854.2 - Acc poisn-psychstimulant
    Combination Flag - Multiple codes are needed to describe the source diagnosis code. Correct coding should be done based on contextual judgment.

Table of Drugs and Chemicals

The parent code T43.611 of the current diagnosis code is referenced in the Table of Drugs and Chemicals, this table contains a classification of drugs, industrial solvents, corrosive gases, noxious plants, pesticides, and other toxic agents.

According to ICD-10-CM coding guidelines it is advised to do not code directly from the Table of Drugs and Chemicals, instead always refer back to the Tabular List when doing the initial coding. Each substance in the table is assigned a code according to the poisoning classification and external causes of adverse effects. It is important to use as many codes as necessary to specify all reported drugs, medicinal or chemical substances. If the same diagnosis code describes the causative agent for more than one adverse reaction, poisoning, toxic effect or underdosing, utilize the code only once.

Substance Poisoning
Accidental
(unintentional)
Poisoning
Accidental
(self-harm)
Poisoning
Assault
Poisoning
Undetermined
Adverse
effect
Underdosing
CaffeineT43.611T43.612T43.613T43.614T43.615T43.616

Patient Education


Caffeine

What is caffeine?

Caffeine is a bitter substance that occurs naturally in more than 60 plants including:

  • Coffee beans
  • Tea leaves
  • Kola nuts, which are used to flavor soft drink colas
  • Cacao pods, which are used to make chocolate products

There is also synthetic (man-made) caffeine, which is added to some medicines, foods, and drinks. For example, some pain relievers, cold medicines, and over-the-counter medicines for alertness contain synthetic caffeine. So do energy drinks and "energy-boosting" gums and snacks.

Most people consume caffeine from drinks. The amount of caffeine in different drinks can vary a lot, but it is generally:

  • An 8-ounce cup of coffee: 95-200 mg
  • A 12-ounce can of cola: 35-45 mg
  • An 8-ounce energy drink: 70-100 mg
  • An 8-ounce cup of tea: 14-60 mg

What are caffeine's effects on the body?

Caffeine has many effects on your body's metabolism. It:

  • Stimulates your central nervous system, which can make you feel more awake and give you a boost of energy
  • Is a diuretic, meaning that it helps your body get rid of extra salt and water by urinating more
  • Increases the release of acid in your stomach, sometimes leading to an upset stomach or heartburn
  • May interfere with the absorption of calcium in the body
  • Increases your blood pressure

Within one hour of eating or drinking caffeine, it reaches its peak level in your blood. You may continue to feel the effects of caffeine for four to six hours.

What are the side effects from too much caffeine?

For most people, it is not harmful to consume up to 400mg of caffeine a day. If you do eat or drink too much caffeine, it can cause health problems, such as:

  • Restlessness and shakiness
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fast heart rate
  • Dehydration
  • Anxiety
  • Dependency, so you need to take more of it to get the same results

Some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others.

What are energy drinks, and why can they be a problem?

Energy drinks are beverages that have added caffeine. The amount of caffeine in energy drinks can vary widely, and sometimes the labels on the drinks do not give you the actual amount of caffeine in them. Energy drinks may also contain sugars, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.

Companies that make energy drinks claim that the drinks can increase alertness and improve physical and mental performance. This has helped make the drinks popular with American teens and young adults. There's limited data showing that energy drinks might temporarily improve alertness and physical endurance. There is not enough evidence to show that they enhance strength or power. But what we do know is that energy drinks can be dangerous because they have large amounts of caffeine. And since they have lots of sugar, they can contribute to weight gain and worsen diabetes.

Sometimes young people mix their energy drinks with alcohol. It is dangerous to combine alcohol and caffeine. Caffeine can interfere with your ability to recognize how drunk you are, which can lead you to drink more. This also makes you more likely to make bad decisions.

Who should avoid or limit caffeine?

You should check with your health care provider about whether you should limit or avoid caffeine if you:

  • Are pregnant, since caffeine passes through the placenta to your baby.
  • Are breastfeeding, since a small amount of caffeine that you consume is passed along to your baby.
  • Have sleep disorders, including insomnia.
  • Have migraines or other chronic headaches.
  • Have anxiety.
  • Have GERD or ulcers.
  • Have arrhythmia (a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat).
  • Have high blood pressure.
  • Take certain medicines or supplements, including stimulants, certain antibiotics, asthma medicines, and heart medicines. Check with your health care provider about whether there might be interactions between caffeine and any medicines and supplements that you take.
  • Are a child or teen. Neither should have as much caffeine as adults. Children can be especially sensitive to the effects of caffeine.

What is caffeine withdrawal?

If you have been consuming caffeine on a regular basis and then suddenly stop, you may have caffeine withdrawal. Symptoms can include:

  • Headaches
  • Drowsiness
  • Irritability
  • Nausea
  • Trouble concentrating

These symptoms usually go away after a couple of days.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Poisoning

A poison is any substance that is harmful to your body. You might swallow it, inhale it, inject it, or absorb it through your skin. Any substance can be poisonous if too much is taken. Poisons can include:

  • Prescription or over-the-counter medicines taken in doses that are too high
  • Overdoses of illegal drugs
  • Carbon monoxide from gas appliances
  • Household products, such as laundry powder or furniture polish
  • Pesticides
  • Indoor or outdoor plants
  • Metals such as lead and mercury

The effects of poisoning range from short-term illness to brain damage, coma, and death. To prevent poisoning it is important to use and store products exactly as their labels say. Keep dangerous products where children can't get to them. Treatment for poisoning depends on the type of poison. If you suspect someone has been poisoned, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 right away.


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.