INDEX TO POISONING AND EXTERNAL CAUSES OF ADVERSE

EFFECTS OF DRUGS AND OTHER CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES

This table contains a classification of drugs and other chemical substances to identify poisoning states and external causes of adverse effects.

Each of the listed substances in the table is assigned a code according to the poisoning classification (960-989).  These codes are used when there is a statement of poisoning, overdose, wrong substance given or taken, or intoxication.

The table also contains a listing of external causes of adverse effects.  An adverse effect is a pathologic manifestation due to ingestion or exposure to drugs or other chemical substances (e.g., dermatitis, hypersensitivity reaction, aspirin gastritis).  The adverse effect is to be identified by the appropriate code found in Section 1, Index to Diseases and Injuries.  An external cause code can then be used to identify the circumstances involved.  The table headings pertaining to external causes are defined below:

    Accidental poisoning (E850-E869)­accidental overdose of drug, wrong substance given or taken, drug taken inadvertently, accidents in the usage of drugs and biologicals in medical and surgical procedures, and to show external causes of poisonings classifiable to 980-989.

    Therapeutic use (E930-E949)­a correct substance properly administered in therapeutic or prophylactic dosage as the external cause of adverse effects.

    Suicide attempt (E950-E952)­instances in which self-inflicted injuries or poisonings are involved.

    Assault (E961-E962)­injury or poisoning inflicted by another person with the intent to injure or kill.

    Undetermined (E980-E982)­to be used when the intent of the poisoning or injury cannot be determined whether it was intentional or accidental.

The American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) list numbers are included in the table to help classify new drugs not identified in the table by name.  The AHFS list numbers are keyed to the continually revised AHFS (American Hospital Formulary Service, 2 vol. Washington, D.C.: American Society of Hospital Pharmacists, 1959-).  These listings are found in the table under the main term Drug.

Excluded from the table are radium and other radioactive substances.  The classification of adverse effects and complications pertaining to these substances will be found in Index to Diseases and Injuries, and Index to External Causes of Injuries.

Although certain substances are indexed with one or more subentries, the majority are listed according to one use or state.  It is recognized that many substances may be used in various ways, in medicine and in industry, and may cause adverse effects whatever the state of the agent (solid, liquid, or fumes arising from a liquid).  In cases in which the reported data indicate a use or state not in the table, or which is clearly different from the one listed, an attempt should be made to classify the substance in the form which most nearly expresses the reported facts.