Opioid Conversion Calculator

Opioid Conversion Calculator for Oncology. MME is an approximate exposure measure, not a therapeutic equivalence guarantee or a safe-dose category. At or above 50 MME/day, CDC calls for reassessment and added precautions in its target setting; this is not a rigid ceiling. No low-risk label, automatic taper or replacement drug dose is supplied.

For shared guidance on choosing a tool and documenting results, read the clinical calculator workflow.

How this calculator works

Estimate daily morphine milligram equivalents using the CDC 2022 table: oral daily mg multiplied by codeine 0.15, hydrocodone 1, hydromorphone 5, methadone 4.7, morphine 1, oxycodone 1.5, oxymorphone 3, tapentadol 0.4 or tramadol 0.2. Transdermal fentanyl uses microgram/hour x 2.4. Add contributions without converting the result to a replacement opioid dose.

When to use this calculator

Describe an established adult outpatient pain-treatment exposure using one clearly identified table. Enter oral totals over 24 hours and the combined labeled delivery rate of worn fentanyl patches. Do not use these factors for IV opioids, buprenorphine, opioid-use-disorder dosing or a switching prescription.

Inputs used

  • Adult pain-treatment exposure: oral doses are 24-hour totals, fentanyl is transdermal mcg/hour, not an opioid switch or OUD regimen
  • Codeine oral (mg/24 h; enter 0 if none)
  • Hydrocodone oral (mg/24 h; enter 0 if none)
  • Hydromorphone oral (mg/24 h; enter 0 if none)
  • Methadone oral (mg/24 h; enter 0 if none)
  • Morphine oral (mg/24 h; enter 0 if none)
  • Oxycodone oral (mg/24 h; enter 0 if none)
  • Oxymorphone oral (mg/24 h; enter 0 if none)
  • Tapentadol oral (mg/24 h; enter 0 if none)
  • Tramadol oral (mg/24 h; enter 0 if none)
  • Fentanyl transdermal total patch delivery (microgram/hour; enter 0 if none)

Clinical interpretation

MME is an approximate exposure measure, not a therapeutic equivalence guarantee or a safe-dose category. At or above 50 MME/day, CDC calls for reassessment and added precautions in its target setting; this is not a rigid ceiling. No low-risk label, automatic taper or replacement drug dose is supplied.

Worked example

Fictional exposure: oral hydromorphone 8 mg/day contributes 40 MME/day and oral tramadol 100 mg/day contributes 20, totaling 60 MME/day. All other fields are explicitly zero. Separately, a 25-microgram/hour fentanyl patch contributes 60 MME/day; do not multiply that patch input by 24 again.

Limitations and safety notes

Conversion factors do not model individual response or incomplete cross-tolerance. Methadone kinetics and transdermal fentanyl need particular caution. CDC 2022 adult outpatient guidance excludes cancer-related pain, sickle-cell disease, palliative and end-of-life care. Do not use this estimate to abruptly discontinue, taper or switch an opioid. Buprenorphine is not represented.

Frequently asked questions

Does a calculated result authorize administration?

No. It checks the entered arithmetic only. The patient-specific order, product, preparation, timing, monitoring and clinical appropriateness need separate verification.

What exactly does this workflow leave to the treating team?

Conversion factors do not model individual response or incomplete cross-tolerance. Methadone kinetics and transdermal fentanyl need particular caution. CDC 2022 adult outpatient guidance excludes cancer-related pain, sickle-cell disease, palliative and end-of-life care. Do not use this estimate to abruptly discontinue, taper or switch an opioid. Buprenorphine is not represented.

References

  • CDC 2022 conversion table, oral versus transdermal units, hydromorphone 5/tramadol 0.2 updates, MME-not-switching caveats and non-rigid 50-MME reassessment context. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/rr7103a1.htm

Editorial review and citation methodology

Maintained by the Quick Medical Calculator Editorial Team. Content record date: September 9, 2026. A content date is not evidence of independent clinical review. Individual clinical sign-off is not recorded on this page.

  • Prefer original validation studies for scoring systems and prediction tools.
  • Use current specialty society guidance, transplant allocation policy, public health guidance, or regulator resources when they govern clinical use.
  • Include limitations and safety notes when a calculator is population-specific, context-dependent, or unsuitable as a standalone decision tool.

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