QE11.2

ICD-11 MMS 2026-01

Hazardous use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics

Description

A pattern of use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics that appreciably increases the risk of harmful physical or mental health consequences to the user or to others to an extent that warrants attention and advice from health professionals. The increased risk may be from the frequency of use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics, from the amount used on a given occasion, from risky behaviours associated with use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics or the context of use, from a harmful route of administration, or from a combination of these. The risk may be related to short-term effects of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics or to longer-term cumulative effects on physical or mental health or functioning. Hazardous use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics has not yet reached the level of having caused harm to physical or mental health of the user or others around the user. The pattern of use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics often persists in spite of awareness of increased risk of harm to the user or to others.

Index terms

  • Hazardous use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics
  • Hazardous use of anxiolytics
  • Hazardous use of hypnotics
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  • hypnotic use
  • Hazardous use of sedatives
  • sedative use
  • sleeping pill use

Excludes

  • 6C44 – Disorders due to use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics

Exclusions from above levels

  • http://id.who.int/icd/entity/590211325 – Disorders due to substance use
  • QF21 – Difficulty or need for assistance with general life tasks or life management

Sibling codes

  • QE11.0 – Hazardous use of opioids
  • QE11.1 – Hazardous use of cannabis
  • QE11.3 – Hazardous use of cocaine
  • QE11.4 – Hazardous use of stimulants including amphetamines or methamphetamine
  • QE11.5 – Hazardous use of caffeine
  • QE11.6 – Hazardous use of MDMA or related drugs
  • QE11.7 – Hazardous use of dissociative drugs including ketamine or PCP
  • QE11.8 – Hazardous use of other specified psychoactive substances
  • QE11.9 – Hazardous use of unknown or unspecified psychoactive substances
  • QE11.Y – Other specified hazardous drug use
  • QE11.Z – Hazardous drug use, unspecified

Foundation entity

Hazardous use of sedatives, hypnotics or anxiolytics – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/756014816

Part of: QE11: Hazardous drug use › 24: Factors influencing health status or contact with health services