Opioid Conversion Guide

The OUH opioid calculator can be used to calculate morphine equivalence.  This is available on the OUH intranet and external website http://www.ouh.nhs.uk/services/referrals/pain/opioids-chronic-pain.aspx

There is also an Opioid Calculator App from the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FPM ANZCA) which is useful: http://www.opioidcalculator.com.au/

Opioid prescribing guidance in the OUH trust is best summarised in the MIL: http://ouh.oxnet.nhs.uk/Pharmacy/Mils/MILV7N5.pdf

 Important notes: 

• Acute pain opioid conversion charts occasionally differ slightly from those for palliative care owing to differences in the patient population and the intended goals of symptom management.  Please use the appropriate chart for your patient.
• Methadone conversion is difficult and should not be attempted for the management of acute pain.
• For opioid-addicted patients, heroin and diamorphine are not the same.  The diamorphine content of heroin is typically very low and not predictable.  Please see:The management of acute pain in the opioid dependent patients  Principles of Analgesia in Patients with Opioid Dependence
  
• Conversion for transdermal patches (fentanyl or buprenorphine) can be found here:  Fentanyl Patches  Buprenorphine Patches
• Pethidine must NOT be prescribed by anyone in the Trust.