This information is sourced from PANG and Royal United Hospitals Bath:
PANG have an Opioid dose calculator which you can use to work out the equivalent dose of an alternative opioid (e.g. if switching from oral Morphine to a Fentanyl patch or Oxycodone).
Common reasons for switching:
- Current opioid not helping the pain
- Current opioid causing toxic symptoms (hallucinations, twitching, sedation)
- Need an alternative route eg a patch because of vomiting or poor swallow
ALWAYS check a conversion dose with a colleague, especially if unfamiliar with opioids
This Opioid dose conversion chart is from Royal United Hospitals Bath:
West Midlands CARES site has in depth advice about switching opioids and caveats to looks out for including renal function, age, dose, weight etc.