R502 - Fever caused by medication or drug reaction

International Classification of Diseases

Last updated: 10/3/2025

What is a ICD-10 Code?

ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes are used to classify and code all diagnoses, symptoms, and procedures recorded in association with hospital care. These codes provide a standardized way to track health conditions and their treatment outcomes.

Detailed Description

This code indicates that you developed a fever as a side effect or reaction to a medication or drug you were taking. Drug-induced fever is when your body temperature rises above normal (usually above 100.4°F or 38°C) specifically because of a medication, rather than from an infection or other illness. This can happen with many different types of medications, including antibiotics, heart medications, seizure medications, and others. The fever typically goes away once the medication is stopped or changed. Your healthcare team will monitor your temperature and may need to adjust or discontinue the medication causing the fever.

Additional Information

Drug-induced fever is generally reversible once the offending medication is identified and discontinued. It's important to inform all future healthcare providers about this reaction to prevent re-exposure to the same medication.

Category

Adverse Drug Reaction

Medical Specialty

Internal Medicine/Pharmacology

Expected Costs

Your actual cost will depend on your insurance coverage, provider location, and specific circumstances.

What's Required Before This

  • Recent medication administration
  • Documented fever without other clear cause
  • Temporal relationship between drug and fever onset

What to Expect After

  • Temperature monitoring
  • Medication review and possible discontinuation
  • Symptom management
  • Alternative medication selection if needed
  • Documentation for future medication allergies/reactions

Why Understanding This Code Matters

On Your Medical Bill

This code appears on your medical bills to identify the specific service, procedure, drug, or medical diagnosis you received. Understanding what it means helps you verify you're being charged correctly and know what to expect.

For Your Health

Knowing what this code represents helps you understand your treatment plan, ask better questions during appointments, and track your healthcare journey more effectively.

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