Adverse effect of sulfonamides, initial encounter

This code signifies a patient experiencing an unintended and undesirable reaction to a sulfonamide antibiotic when the patient is first presenting for treatment of this reaction. These adverse effects can range from mild, such as rash or nausea, to severe, like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or bone marrow suppression. The reaction is directly attributable to the therapeutic use of the sulfonamide.

Apply this code when a patient presents to a healthcare provider for the initial evaluation and management of an adverse effect caused by a sulfonamide medication. This includes situations where the patient is admitted to the hospital or seen in an outpatient setting for the first time due to the drug reaction. It is crucial to use this code when the adverse effect is the primary reason for the encounter.

• Always sequence this code first when it is the primary reason for the encounter.
• Requires an additional code to identify the specific sulfonamide drug (from T36-T50).
• Do not use for poisoning, underdosing, or non-adverse effects of sulfonamides.