Underdosing of local antifung/infect/inflamm drugs, init

This code signifies that a patient has received an insufficient amount of a topical medication intended to treat fungal infections, general infections, or inflammation. This underdosing has led to an inadequate therapeutic effect or a worsening of the condition. The "initial encounter" indicates that the patient is actively receiving treatment for the adverse effect of the underdosing.

Use this code when a patient presents with symptoms or a condition that is not improving or is worsening due to an insufficient dose of a topically applied antifungal, anti-infective, or anti-inflammatory drug. This would apply, for example, if a patient was prescribed a cream for a skin infection but used too little, or not often enough, during the initial phase of treatment.

• Always assign an additional code to specify the nature of the adverse effect or the underlying condition being treated.
• Distinguish between underdosing (patient took too little) and noncompliance (patient did not take at all).
• Ensure "initial encounter" is appropriate; subsequent encounters for the same underdosing would use a different seventh character.