2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T48.3X1APoisoning by antitussives, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter
T48.3X1A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for poisoning by antitussives, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter. The 7th character A marks it as an initial encounter code, used while the patient is receiving active treatment. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 917 through 918. Coders also document this condition as accidental dextromethorphan poisoning. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under External cause codes: intent of injury, accidental/unintentional; External cause codes: poisoning by drug; and Poisoning by drugs, initial encounter.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Accidental dextromethorphan poisoning
- Antitussive agent overdose
- Pipazethate poisoning
- Poisoning by dextromethorphan
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
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 agents primarily acting on smooth and skeletal muscles and the respiratory system (T48). Use the following options for the applicable episode of care:
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Clinical InformationClinical
Dextromethorphan
methyl analog of dextrorphan that shows high affinity binding to several regions of the brain, including the medullary cough center. this compound is an nmda receptor antagonist (receptors, n-methyl-d-aspartate) and acts as a non-competitive channel blocker. it is one of the widely used antitussives, and is also used to study the involvement of glutamate receptors in neurotoxicity.Noscapine
a naturally occurring opium alkaloid that is a centrally acting antitussive agent.
Table of Drugs and ChemicalsClinical
Substances in the Table of Drugs and Chemicals that reference this code family. Always confirm in the Tabular List before coding.
Patient EducationClinical
Cold and Cough Medicines
Cold and cough medicines can help relieve symptoms of a common cold. The symptoms of a cold can include a sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
The full article covers:
- What are cold and cough medicines?
- What are the different types of cold and cough medicines?
- What do I need to know about taking cold and cough medicines?
- What else can I do to feel better for a cold or cough?
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Convert T48.3X1A to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T48.3X1AOverview
Is T48.3X1A (Poisoning by antitussives, accidental (unintentional)) a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report poisoning by antitussives, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character A in T48.3X1A mean?
The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for poisoning by antitussives, accidental (unintentional), such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.
What MS-DRG does T48.3X1A group to?
When poisoning by antitussives, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 917, 918, with relative weights from 0.8571 to 1.5684 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T48.3X1A?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, poisoning by antitussives, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter converts to ICD-9-CM 975.4 (poisoning-antitussives) and E858.6 (acc poisn-muscl/resp agt). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
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.
