Opioid Conversion Guide

Clinical Disclaimer: This page explains the mathematical method used by the calculator. It does not replace clinical judgement. Always consider patient factors, incomplete cross-tolerance, organ function, and local guidelines.

1 Primary Opioid → Oral Morphine Equivalent Dose (oMED)

The calculator first converts the primary regular opioid into an equivalent oral morphine dose.

Primary Opioid oMED (mg/day) = Primary Dose × Primary Ratio

Primary Dose = total 24-hour dose of the chosen primary opioid (e.g. PO oxycodone).
Primary Ratio = conversion factor from that opioid to PO morphine (from the ratio table below).

2 Add All Additional Opioids → Total oMED

The calculator then adds in any additional/PRN opioids you enter (up to 3), converting each to PO morphine and summing them.

Total oMED = Primary oMED + Σ (Add. Dose × Add. Ratio)

Additional Dose = total 24-hour dose for each other opioid.
Additional Ratio = its conversion factor to PO morphine.

3 Convert Total oMED → Output Opioid

The total PO morphine is then converted into the target opioid and route you selected in the "Convert to opioid" box.

Output Dose = Total oMED Ratio for Output Opioid

Ratio for Output Opioid = the same type of ratio used in Step 1, but for the output opioid.

Clinical Warnings

⚠️ Incomplete Cross-Tolerance

When switching between different opioids (especially at high doses >100mg PO morphine/day), patients exhibit incomplete cross-tolerance. Reduce calculated equianalgesic dose by 25-50% of calculated dose and titrate carefully based on response over 24-48 hours.

⚠️ Poor Oral Absorption

Patients with poor oral absorption (nausea, vomiting, bowel obstruction, dysphagia, cachexia) require parenteral routes (SC/IV). Do NOT include all PRN doses in 24-hour totals for these conversions - use only regular doses. Oral bioavailability is unpredictable due to poor absorption.

⚠️ Opioid Overlap

Long-acting formulations require careful overlap planning (4-24 hours) during rotation to avoid gaps or overdose.

CSCI → Fentanyl Patch (6-12hr overlap)
• Current: CSCI morphine 60mg/24h
• Apply fentanyl patch 50μg/hr (fentanyl peaks at 12-24hrs)
• Continue running CSCI for 6-12hrs
IR Morphine → MST Slow Release (4hr overlap)
• Current: IR morphine 10mg q4h (60mg/24h)
• Give 1st MST 60mg WITH last IR dose (overlap 4hrs)
• Stop IR after MST taken (MST starts working ~4hrs)
⚠️ Fentanyl Patch Safety Warning

Do not initiate fentanyl transdermal therapy in opioid-naïve patients.

Only convert to a fentanyl patch after the patient has been on regular, stable opioid therapy and has achieved steady-state opioid levels.

During dose titration, use an immediate-release opioid alongside the fentanyl patch to manage breakthrough pain and ensure adequate analgesia before completing the conversion.

⚠️ Opioid-Refractory Pain

High opioid requirements with poor response suggest neuropathic component or opioid rotation failure. Consider methadone rotation (NMDA antagonism), ketamine infusion, or adjuvants (gabapentinoids).

⚠️ Total Pain Management

Pain has physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions ("total pain"). High opioid needs often indicate "total pain" requiring multidisciplinary team (psychology, physiotherapy, social work, spiritual care) alongside pharmacotherapy.

Default Ratios Used in the Calculator

Opioid Route Ratio to PO Morphine
MorphinePO1.0
MorphineSC/IV2.0
OxycodonePO1.5
OxycodoneSC/IV3.0
TramadolPO0.2
TramadolIV0.2
CodeinePO0.1
DihydrocodeinePO0.1
Fentanyl PatchTD2.4
FentanylSC/IV0.1

Worked Example

Example inputs:

Step 1 – Primary PO Morphine:
40 mg × 1.5 = 60 mg PO morphine

Step 2 – Total PO Morphine:
Additional SC morphine: 20 mg × 2.0 = 40 mg PO morphine
Total PO morphine = 60 + 40 = 100 mg / day

Step 3 – Convert to SC oxycodone:
Ratio for SC oxycodone = 3.0
Output Dose = 100 3.0 ≈ 33.3 mg SC oxycodone / day

References
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  14. Mercadante, S., et al. (2024). Methadone rotation for refractory pain.
  15. Prommer, E. (2024). Methadone vs other opioids for bone pain.
  16. Saunders, C. (2010). Total pain management.
  17. IASP Task Force. (n.d.). Multidisciplinary pain management.
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  19. NHS England North West. (2020). Palliative care pain & symptom control guidelines.
  20. Twycross, R., et al. (2022). Palliative Care Formulary, 7th ed.
  21. NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service. (2021). Fentanyl patch conversion guidelines.
  22. Faculty of Pain Medicine, ANZCA. (2021). Opioid patch overlap protocols.
  23. Correll, D. J., et al. (2004). Burst ketamine to reverse opioid tolerance.