Drug-induced adrenocortical insufficiency

This code signifies a condition where the adrenal glands fail to produce adequate corticosteroid hormones due to the adverse effects of medication. It represents a form of secondary adrenal insufficiency directly caused by exogenous drug administration, rather than primary adrenal gland pathology or other systemic diseases.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates adrenal insufficiency resulting from drug therapy, such as prolonged corticosteroid use, ketoconazole, or etomidate. The medical record should specify the causative drug and confirm the adrenal gland's impaired function.

• Always sequence the drug-induced adrenocortical insufficiency code first, followed by the external cause code (T36-T50 series) to identify the specific drug.
• Differentiate from primary adrenal insufficiency (E27.1) or other secondary adrenal insufficiencies (E27.3) not caused by drugs.
• Ensure documentation explicitly links the medication to the adrenal dysfunction; avoid assuming drug causality without physician confirmation.