Drug-induced chorea

This code represents involuntary, irregular, and unpredictable movements (chorea) that are a direct adverse effect of a prescribed or illicit drug. The movements are typically fluid and dance-like, affecting various body parts, and resolve upon discontinuation or dose reduction of the causative agent.

Use this code when documentation clearly links choreiform movements to a specific medication or substance. This diagnosis is appropriate when the patient presents with new-onset chorea following drug initiation or dose change, and other causes of chorea have been ruled out.

• Always identify the specific drug causing the chorea by using an additional code from T36-T50 (Poisoning by, adverse effect of and underdosing of drugs, medicaments and biological substances).
• Ensure documentation differentiates drug-induced chorea from other movement disorders like tardive dyskinesia or Huntington's disease.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis if the drug-induced chorea is the reason for the encounter.