2027 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T49.6X5AAdverse effect of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations, initial encounter

ICD-10-CM Codes›S00–T88›T36-T50›T49

ICD-10-CM T49.6X5A
CMSSource: CMS FY 2027 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027

T49.6X5A is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for adverse effect of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations, 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 2027 (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and groups to MS-DRG 791, 793, 917 through 918. The code is not accepted as a principal diagnosis by the Medicare Code Editor. Coders also document this condition as adverse reaction caused by mouthwash. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Adverse effects of drugs and medicaments, initial encounter.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
T49.6X5A
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Adverse effect of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations, initial encounter
Short Description
Adverse effect of otorhino drugs and preparations, init
Parent Code
Adverse effect of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations

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 CodeT49.6X5AAdverse effect of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations, initial encounter

Code EditsBilling

Medicare Code Editor checks that affect claim validity for T49.6X5A.

There are selected codes that describe a circumstance which influences an individual's health status but not a current illness or injury, or codes that are not specific manifestations but may be due to an underlying cause. These codes are considered unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Adverse reaction caused by mouthwash
  • Adverse reaction to inhaled corticosteroids

Coding GuidelinesGuidance

When coding an adverse effect of a drug that has been correctly prescribed and properly administered, assign the appropriate code for the nature of the adverse effect followed by the appropriate code for the adverse effect of the drug.

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 2027, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.

Instructional NotesGuidance

Instructions from the official ICD-10-CM Tabular List that apply to T49.6X5A: its own notes plus those printed at T49, block T36-T50, and Chapter 19. A note printed at a category, block or chapter applies to every code under it.

Includes

Further defines, or gives examples of, the content of the category.

From T49 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs applies to 180 codes
  • poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of glucocorticoids, topically used
From Block T36-T50 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances applies to 3,186 codes
  • adverse effect of correct substance properly administered
  • poisoning by overdose of substance
  • poisoning by wrong substance given or taken in error
  • underdosing by (inadvertently) (deliberately) taking less substance than prescribed or instructed

Excludes1

Not coded here: the excluded code is never reported together with this one, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

From Block T36-T50 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances applies to 3,186 codes
  • toxic reaction to local anesthesia in pregnancy (O29.3-)

Excludes2

Not included here: the excluded condition is not part of this code, but a patient may have both, so both codes may be reported.

From Block T36-T50 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances applies to 3,186 codes
  • abuse and dependence of psychoactive substances (F10-F19)
  • abuse of non-dependence-producing substances (F55.-)
  • immunodeficiency due to drugs (D84.821)
  • drug reaction and poisoning affecting newborn (P00-P96)
  • pathological drug intoxication (inebriation) (F10-F19)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes

Code First

The underlying condition named in the note is sequenced before this code.

From Block T36-T50 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances applies to 3,186 codes
  • for adverse effects, the nature of the adverse effect, such as:
  • adverse effect NOS (T88.7)
  • aspirin gastritis (K29.-)
  • blood disorders (D56-D76)
  • contact dermatitis (L23-L25)
  • dermatitis due to substances taken internally (L27.-)
  • nephropathy (N14.0-N14.2)

Use Additional Code

Add a second code, after this one, to fully describe the condition.

From Block T36-T50 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances applies to 3,186 codes
  • code(s) to specify:
  • manifestations of poisoning
  • underdosing or failure in dosage during medical and surgical care (Y63.6, Y63.8-Y63.9)
  • underdosing of medication regimen (Z91.12-, Z91.13-)
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Notes

General instructions on how these codes are used.

From Block T36-T50 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances applies to 3,186 codes
  • The drug giving rise to the adverse effect should be identified by use of codes from categories T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5.
From Chapter 19 (S00-T88) Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes applies to 41,187 codes
  • Use secondary code(s) from Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity, to indicate cause of injury. Codes within the T section that include the external cause do not require an additional external cause code
  • The chapter uses the S-section for coding different types of injuries related to single body regions and the T-section to cover injuries to unspecified body regions as well as poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes.

7th Character

Every code in the category takes a 7th character from the listed values, with the placeholder X filling any empty positions before it.

From T49 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of topical agents primarily affecting skin and mucous membrane and by ophthalmological, otorhinorlaryngological and dental drugs applies to 180 codes
  • The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category T49
  • Ainitial encounter this code
  • Dsubsequent encounter
  • Ssequela

Source: CMS ICD-10-CM Tabular List. How to read instructional notes.

Referenced in Other NotesGuidance

Instructional notes printed at other codes that name T49.6X5A, its category, or a range that includes it.

Excludes1 3

These codes carry an Excludes1 note naming T49.6X5A: they are not reported together with it, unless the two conditions are unrelated.

  • T36 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of systemic antibiotics
    topically used antibiotic for ear, nose and throat (T49.6) names T49.6, which includes this code
  • T37 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of other systemic anti-infectives and antiparasitics
    anti-infectives topically used for ear, nose and throat (T49.6-) names T49.6-, which includes this code
  • T38.0 Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of glucocorticoids and synthetic analogues
    glucocorticoids, topically used (T49.-) names T49.-, which includes this code

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR INJ028
Adverse effects of drugs and medicaments, initial encounter
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient Yes

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Tyrothricin

    a polypeptide antibiotic mixture obtained from bacillus brevis. it consists of a mixture of three tyrocidines (60%) and several gramicidins (20%) and is very toxic to blood, liver, kidneys, meninges, and the olfactory apparatus. it is used topically.

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.

SubstanceAccidentalSelf-harmAssaultUndeter­minedAdverse
Effect
Under­dosing
Adrenal (extract, cortex or medulla) (glucocorticoids) (hormones) (mineralocorticoids)::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Aerosporin::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Alkaline antiseptic solution (aromatic)T49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
AmbazoneT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
AmylmetacresolT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Antibiotic NEC::ENTT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Antibiotic NEC::throatT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Anti-infective NEC::ENTT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Argyrol::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Aristocort::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Bacitracin zinc::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
BiclotymolT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Bisdequalinium (salts) (diacetate)T49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Boracic acid::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Boric acid::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Ceepryn::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Ceepryn::lozengesT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Cetylpyridinium chloride::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Cetylpyridinium chloride::lozengesT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Chloramphenicol::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Chloromycetin::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Chloromycetin::otic solutionT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Copper (dust) (fumes) (nonmedicinal) NEC::sulfate::cupric::medicinal::earT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Copper (dust) (fumes) (nonmedicinal) NEC::sulfate::medicinal::earT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
CorbadrineT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Cort-Dome::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Cortef::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Corticosteroid::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Cortisol::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Cortisone (acetate)::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Cortogen::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Cortone::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Cortril::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Decadron::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Dexamethasone::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Dichlorobenzyl alcoholT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Ear drug NECT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Ear preparationsT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
ENT preparations (anti-infectives)T49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
External medications (skin) (mucous membrane)::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Florinef::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Fludrocortisone::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Fluohydrocortisone::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Glycerol::boraxT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Hydrocortisone (derivatives)::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Hydrocortone::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
LevonordefrinT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Lozenges (throat)T49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Methyl::prednisolone::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Mouthwash (antiseptic) (zinc chloride)T49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Nasal drug NECT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Neomycin (derivatives)::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Neosporin::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Nose preparationsT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Orthoboric acid::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Otorhinolaryngological drug NECT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Polymyxin::B::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Prednisolone::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Steroid::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Thenoic acidT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Throat drug NECT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Topical action drug NEC::ear, nose or throatT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Triamcinolone::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
TyrothricinT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Tyrothricin::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Zinc (compounds) (fumes) (vapor) NEC::chloride (mouthwash)T49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6
Zinc (compounds) (fumes) (vapor) NEC::sulfate::ENT agentT49.6X1T49.6X2T49.6X3T49.6X4T49.6X5T49.6X6

Patient EducationClinical

Drug Reactions

Most of the time, medicines make our lives better. They reduce aches and pains, fight infections, and control problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But medicines can also cause unwanted reactions, such as drug interactions, side effects, and allergies.

The full article covers:

  • What is a drug interaction?
  • What are side effects?
  • What are drug allergies?
  • How can I stay safe when taking medicines?

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert T49.6X5A to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
995.29 Adv eff med/biol NEC/NOS
ApproximateCombination The match is approximate, and more than one code can be needed to describe the source diagnosis. Confirm with contextual judgment.
ICD-9-CM
E946.6 Adv eff ent anti-inf/drg
ApproximateCombination The match is approximate, and more than one code can be needed to describe the source diagnosis. Confirm with contextual judgment.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2026No changes
FY 2027CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Questions About T49.6X5AOverview

Is T49.6X5A a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report adverse effect of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations, initial encounter on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

What does the 7th character A in T49.6X5A mean?

The final character A marks the initial encounter: use it while the patient is receiving active treatment for adverse effect of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations, such as an emergency visit or first evaluation.

What MS-DRG does T49.6X5A group to?

On inpatient claims, adverse effect of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations, initial encounter maps to MS-DRG 793, 791, 918, 917, with relative weights from 0.8716 to 4.2192 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

Can T49.6X5A be a principal diagnosis?

No. The Medicare Code Editor rejects this code as a principal diagnosis because adverse effect of otorhinolaryngological drugs and preparations, initial encounter describes a circumstance that influences health status rather than a current illness. Report it as a secondary diagnosis.

Can T49.6X5A be reported with a code from O29.3?

Not as a rule. The Excludes1 note at block T36-T50, which applies to T49.6X5A, lists "toxic reaction to local anesthesia in pregnancy (O29.3-)". An Excludes1 note means the excluded code is never reported together with this one; the only exception is when the two conditions are unrelated to each other (Official Guidelines, Section I.A.12.a).