ICD-10 Code G44.40 – Drug-induced headache, not elsewhere classified, not intractable (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G44.40 – Drug-induced headache, not elsewhere classified, not intractable
What it is
G44.40 identifies a headache caused by medication or another drug, when the headache is not classified elsewhere and is not intractable. Use it when the record links the headache to a drug exposure.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. You may see headache onset or worsening after starting, changing, or overusing a medication, with improvement after the drug is stopped or adjusted.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents a drug-induced headache and does not describe it as intractable. It fits cases where the causal medication is identified or strongly suspected in the note. If the record does not clearly support the drug relationship, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for headaches that are not linked to a drug, or when the headache is documented as intractable. If the headache is better described by another specific diagnosis, use that code instead.
Coding tip
Confirm both the drug cause and the “not intractable” wording in the provider note before assigning G44.40.