Post-Tonsillectomy Pain in Children: The Postcodeine Era

Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy is the most commonly performed pediatric surgical procedure in the United States. There is controversy regarding which postsurgical analgesic agents are safe and effective. After reports of codeine-related fatalities, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication advising practitioners that codeine use in certain children after tonsillectomy may lead to rare but life-threatening respiratory failure and death. Post-tonsillectomy pain control recommendations changed to ensure safe and effective medication selection. Pharmacists can play an essential role in helping providers choose proper and safe analgesics after tonsillectomy.