2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T50.901

Poisoning by unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances, accidental (unintentional)

ICD-10-CM Code:
T50.901
ICD-10 Code for:
Poisoning by unsp drug/meds/biol subst, accidental
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
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 diuretics and other and unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances
        (T50)

T50.901 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of poisoning by unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances, accidental (unintentional). The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like T50.901 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Specific Coding Applicable to Poisoning by unsp drug/meds/biol subst, accidental

Non-specific codes like T50.901 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for poisoning by unsp drug/meds/biol subst, accidental:

  • Use T50.901A for initial encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T50.901D for subsequent encounter - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use T50.901S for sequela - BILLABLE CODE

Approximate Synonyms

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

  • Accidental overdose
  • Accidental poisoning
  • Acquired platelet function disorder
  • Acute overdose
  • Aplastic anemia due to drugs
  • Chronic overdose
  • Diffuse inflammatory erythema
  • Diffuse inflammatory erythema
  • Disorder due to and following drug poisoning
  • Disorder due to and following poisoning
  • Disorder due to and following poisoning
  • Disorder due to and following poisoning by biological substance
  • Drug exanthem
  • Drug induced optic neuropathy
  • Drug interference with thyroid-binding globulin
  • Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia
  • Exanthematous disorder
  • Illicit drug overdose
  • Overdose
  • Pancytopenia caused by medication
  • Platelet dysfunction due to drugs
  • Poisoning caused by biological substance
  • Primary ITP
  • Scleroderma-like reaction due to poison
  • Secondary aplastic anemia
  • Skin lesion due to drug overdose
  • Suicide by self-administered drug
  • Thrombocytopenia due to drugs
  • Thyroid hormone binding abnormality
  • Thyroid-binding globulin abnormality
  • Toxic cytopenia
  • Toxic erythema caused by drug
  • Toxic optic neuropathy
  • Toxic urticated erythema
  • Toxic urticated erythema due to drug
  • Toxicoderma

Clinical Information

  • Laminaria

    a genus of brown algae in the family laminariaceae. dried pencil-like pieces may be inserted in the cervix where they swell as they absorb moisture, serving as osmotic dilators.
  • Saccharin

    flavoring agent and non-nutritive sweetener.
  • 1,4-alpha-Glucan Branching Enzyme

    in glycogen or amylopectin synthesis, the enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a segment of a 1,4-alpha-glucan chain to a primary hydroxy group in a similar glucan chain. ec 2.4.1.18.
  • Electrophoresis, Starch Gel

    electrophoresis in which a starch gel (a mixture of amylose and amylopectin) is used as the diffusion medium.
  • Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives

    starches that have been chemically modified so that a percentage of oh groups are substituted with 2-hydroxyethyl ether groups.
  • Starch

    any of a group of polysaccharides of the general formula (c6-h10-o5)n, composed of a long-chain polymer of glucose in the form of amylose and amylopectin. it is the chief storage form of energy reserve (carbohydrates) in plants.
  • Starch Phosphorylase

    an enzyme of the phosphorylases family that catalyzes the degradation of starch, a mixture of unbranched amylose and branched amylopectin compounds. this phosphorylase from plants is the counterpart of glycogen phosphorylase in animals that catalyzes the reaction of inorganic phosphate on the terminal alpha-1,4-glycosidic bond at the non-reducing end of glucans resulting in the release of glucose-1-phosphate.
  • Starch Synthase

    an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of glucose from adpglucose to glucose-containing polysaccharides in 1,4-alpha-linkages. ec 2.4.1.21.
  • Toxic Optic Neuropathy

    damage to the eye or its function (e.g., visual impairment) due to optic nerve damage secondary to toxic substances such as drugs used in chemotherapy; immunotherapy; or radiation.

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 diuretics and other and unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances (T50). Use the following options for the aplicable episode of care:

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

Table of Drugs and Chemicals

The 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
Acidifying agent NECT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Adjunct, pharmaceuticalT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Alkalinizing agents (medicinal)T50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Alkalizing agent NECT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Biological substance NECT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Dietetic drug NECT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Drug NECT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Drug NEC
  »specified NEC
T50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Elemental dietT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Excipients, pharmaceuticalT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Headache cures, drugs, powders NECT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Lactose (as excipient)T50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Lipotropic drug NECT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Medicament NECT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Nutritional supplementT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
PharmaceuticalT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Pharmaceutical
  »adjunct NEC
T50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Pharmaceutical
  »excipient NEC
T50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Pharmaceutical
  »sweetener
T50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Pharmaceutical
  »viscous agent
T50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
SaccharinT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Salt substituteT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Salt-replacing drugT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Sodium-free saltT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Soothing syrupT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
StarchT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Stone-dissolving drugT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
SweetenerT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Tablets [See Also: specified substance]T50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Tonic NECT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906
Viscous agentT50.901T50.902T50.903T50.904T50.905T50.906

Patient Education


Medication Errors

Medicines treat infectious diseases, prevent problems from chronic diseases, and ease pain. But medicines can also cause harmful reactions if not used correctly. Errors can happen in the hospital, at the health care provider's office, at the pharmacy, or at home. You can help prevent errors by:

  • Knowing your medicines. When you get a prescription, ask the name of the medicine and check to make sure that the pharmacy gave you the right medicine. Make sure that you understand how often you should take the medicine and how long you should take it.
  • Keeping a list of medicines.
    • Write down all of the medicines that you are taking, including the names of your medicines, how much you take, and when you take them. Make sure to include any over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbs that you take.
    • List the medicines that you are allergic to or that have caused you problems in the past.
    • Take this list with you every time you see a health care provider.
  • Reading medicine labels and following the directions. Don't just rely on your memory - read the medication label every time. Be especially careful when giving medicines to children.
  • Asking questions. If you don't know the answers to these questions, ask your health care provider or pharmacist:
    • Why am I taking this medicine?
    • What are the common side effects?
    • What should I do if I have side effects?
    • When should I stop this medicine?
    • Can I take this medicine with the other medicines and supplements on my list?
    • Do I need to avoid certain foods or alcohol while taking this medicine?

Food and Drug Administration


[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.