Colorado Physician Ebook Continuing Education

Table 8: Examples of 50 and 90 MME/Day for Commonly Prescribed Opioids Opioid Strength 50 MME/Day 90 MME/Day

Hydrocodone- acetaminophen

5 mg/325 mg 50 mg (10 tablets) Exceeds acetaminophen maximum daily dose

10 mg/325 mg 50 mg (5 tablets)

90 mg (9 tablets)

Oxycodone sustained release

15 mg

33 mg (~2 tablets) 60 mg (4 tablets)

30 mg

33 mg (~1 tablet) 60 mg (2 tablets)

Methadone

5 mg

12 mg (< 3 tablets)

~20 mg (4 tablets)

Equianalgesic dosing of opioids Opioid medications have differing potencies. When converting from one opioid medication to another, it is critical to understand the equivalent analgesic (equianalgesic) dose to ensure continued efficacy without untoward side effects. The dose, administration route, and therapy duration must be considered. Multiple opioid conversion charts

are available. Clinicians must consider individual patient factors and the characteristics of the opioid medications and delivery systems when converting between opioid products. Closely monitor patients following conversion for efficacy and potential adverse effects.

Table 9: Opioid Equianalgesic Doses 83 Medication

Approximate Equianalgesic Oral Dose

Approximate Equianalgesic Intravenous Dose

Conversion Factor to Oral Morphine

Morphine

30 mg

10 mg

Parenteral morphine is 3 times as potent as oral morphine. Oral oxycodone is roughly 1.5 times more potent than oral morphine. Oral hydrocodone is roughly 1.5 times more potent than oral morphine. Oral hydromorphone is about 4 to 7 times as potent as oral morphine Parenteral hydromorphone is 20 times as potent as oral morphine. Transdermal fentanyl is ~80 times as potent as oral morphine. (See Table 8 to convert morphine to fentanyl transdermal patches.)

Oxycodone

20 mg

Hydrocodone

20 to 30 mg

Hydromorphone

7 mg

1.5 mg

Fentanyl

100 mcg (0.1 mg) 15 mcg/hour

Methadone

Variable

Variable

Tramadol

300 mg

0.1

Codeine

200 mg

0.15

Meperidine Oral morphine is about 10 times more potent than oral meperidine and about twice as potent as parenteral meperidine (mg for mg). ** Note : To convert to ER/LA opioids, see conversion factors listed in Common Opioids for Chronic Pain Management. 300 mg of oral meperidine 75 mg of parenteral meperidine

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Book Code: MDCO1025

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