2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T49Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs
T49 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code for poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs, so it cannot be submitted on claims. Use a more specific code from this category instead, such as T49.0X1A, T49.0X1D, T49.0X1S, and T49.0X2A.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Specific Coding for Topical skin/eye/ENT/dental drugsOverview
Non-specific codes like T49 require more characters. Use one of these billable codes instead:
T49.0 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of local antifungal, anti-infective and anti-inflammatory drugs
T49.0X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of local antifungal, anti-infective and anti-inflammatory drugs
T49.1 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of antipruritics
T49.1X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of antipruritics
T49.2 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of local astringents and local detergents
T49.2X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of local astringents and local detergents
T49.3 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of emollients, demulcents and protectants
T49.3X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of emollients, demulcents and protectants
T49.4 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of keratolytics, keratoplastics, and other hair treatment drugs and preparations
T49.4X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of keratolytics, keratoplastics, and other hair treatment drugs and preparations
T49.5 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of ophthalmological drugs and preparations
T49.5X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of ophthalmological drugs and preparations
T49.6 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations
T49.6X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations
T49.7 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of dental drugs, topically applied
T49.7X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of dental drugs, topically applied
T49.8 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of other topical agents
T49.8X for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of other topical agents
T49.9 for Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of unspecified topical agent
T49.91 for Poisoning by unspecified topical agent, accidental (unintentional)
T49.92 for Poisoning by unspecified topical agent, intentional self-harm
T49.93 for Poisoning by unspecified topical agent, assault
T49.94 for Poisoning by unspecified topical agent, undetermined
T49.95 for Adverse effect of unspecified topical agent
T49.96 for Underdosing of unspecified topical agent
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 topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs (T49). 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.
Tabular List NotesGuidance
Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.
Includes
- poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of glucocorticoids, topically used
7th Character Note
- The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T49
7th Character
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
Certain ICD-10-CM categories have applicable 7th characters. The applicable 7th character is required for all codes within the category, or as the notes in the Tabular List instruct. The 7th character must always be the 7th character in the data field. If a code that requires a 7th character is not 6 characters, a placeholder X must be used to fill in the empty characters.
Indicates that a seventh character is to be assigned to codes in a subcategory.
Patient EducationClinical
Drug Reactions
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Read the full article at MedlinePlus
Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T49Overview
Is T49 a billable code?
No. This is a category header that groups the codes for poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs, and headers cannot be submitted on claims. Claims for poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs need a more specific code from this category, such as T49.0X1A, T49.0X1D, and T49.0X1S.
