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

ICD-10-CM CodesS00–T88T36-T50T49

ICD-10-CM T49
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

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

ICD-10-CM Code
T49
Billable Status
No — Non-Billable Category
Code Describes
Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs
Chapter
T36-T50
Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances

Code Classification

ChapterS00–T88Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes
SectionT36-T50Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances
CategoryT49Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs
This CodeT49Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs

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

Patient EducationClinical

Drug Reactions

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The full article covers:

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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

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

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.