ICD-10 Coding for Venlafaxine Use
There is no specific ICD-10 code for venlafaxine use itself—ICD-10 codes are used to document diagnoses and clinical conditions, not individual medications.
Understanding ICD-10 Coding Structure
ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification) is designed to code diagnoses, symptoms, and clinical conditions that justify medical encounters, not the medications prescribed 1. The appropriate ICD-10 code depends on the clinical indication for which venlafaxine is being prescribed, not the medication itself 2, 1.
Relevant ICD-10 Codes Based on Clinical Context
When documenting venlafaxine use, you should code the underlying condition being treated:
For Depression
- F32.x - Major depressive disorder, single episode (with specific fourth digit based on severity)
- F33.x - Major depressive disorder, recurrent (with specific fourth digit based on severity)
For Anxiety Disorders
- F41.1 - Generalized anxiety disorder
- F41.0 - Panic disorder
For Adverse Effects or Complications
- T43.225A - Poisoning by selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), accidental (unintentional), initial encounter 3
- T43.225D - Subsequent encounter for the same
- T50.905A - Adverse effect of unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances, initial encounter 3
For Discontinuation Syndrome
- T43.225A with appropriate seventh character for encounter type, when documenting withdrawal symptoms 4, 5
Common Clinical Pitfall
Do not attempt to code the medication name itself 1. The ICD-10-CM system requires you to code the medical condition or reason for the encounter, which then justifies the prescription of venlafaxine in the medical record 2, 1. The medication itself is documented separately in the medication list or prescription records, not through ICD-10 coding.
Practical Documentation Approach
- Document the primary psychiatric diagnosis using the appropriate F-code from the mental and behavioral disorders chapter 6
- If coding for adverse effects, use the T-code series with appropriate seventh character for encounter type 3
- Always refer directly to the ICD-10-CM manual rather than secondary sources for accurate code selection 2