Chronic drug-induced interstitial lung disorders

This code represents a persistent, long-term inflammatory condition affecting the interstitial spaces of the lungs, directly caused by the use of certain medications. It signifies a chronic adverse drug reaction manifesting as lung tissue damage and scarring, distinct from acute drug-induced lung injury.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a chronic interstitial lung disease that is attributed to a specific drug or class of drugs. This typically involves a history of medication exposure, clinical presentation consistent with interstitial lung disease, and often, exclusion of other causes. Documentation should specify the drug implicated if known.

• Always sequence this code after the code for the specific adverse effect of the drug, if applicable, and before the external cause code for the drug.
• Do not use this code if the interstitial pneumonia is not specified as drug-induced or is lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, as indicated by the Excludes1 notes.
• Ensure the medical record explicitly states the chronic nature and drug causality of the interstitial lung disorder.