Patients used only 40% of the hydrocodone-acetaminophen combination tablets prescribed to them following rhinoplasty, and only 5% of patients required refills of pain medication, according to a study recently published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

In this case series, researchers enrolled 62 patients (mean age, 38.7; 81% women) who underwent rhinoplasty in 2 private practice settings and 1 academic setting. All patients received prescriptions of 20 to 30 hydrocodone bitartrate (5 mg) and acetaminophen (325 mg) combination tablets. Opioid use, pain control, and adverse effects were self-reported.