Key points:
  1. The opioid epidemic is an ongoing public health problem and prescription drug use continues to contribute.
  2. Opioid prescriptions for post-operative analgesia varies widely.
  3. Ibuprofen is safe and effective for adults following tonsillectomy.
  4. An ibuprofen prescription significantly reduces the proportion of patients filling a post-operative opioid prescription following tonsillectomy.
  5. The same post-operative ibuprofen prescription also reduced the amount of opioid prescribed.