Pain Management
West of Scotland Chronic Pain Education Group
Taper Calculator
Before using, please read the disclaimer1) Select an initial medication. 2) Select a starting 24h dose. 3) Select a target medication. 4) Select a rate of taper (higher rates result in a shorter taper period).
1) initial medication
morphine mgoxycodone mgtapentadol mghydromorphone mgtramadol mgcodeine mgdihydrocodeine mgfentanyl(TD) mcg/hbuprenorphine(TD) mcg/hmethadone mg2)
306090120150180210240270300330mg
360390420450480510540570600630660690720750780810840870900930960990
1,0201,0501,0801,1101,1401,1701,2001,2301,2601,2901,320
3) target medication
come off completelymorphine mgoxycodone mgtapentadol mghydromorphone mgtramadol mgcodeine mgdihydrocodeine mgfentanyl(TD) mcg/hbuprenorphine(TD) mcg/h4) rate
3%4%5%7%10%15%20%25%30%40%50%wk0
240wk1
210wk2
210wk3
180wk4
150wk5
150wk6
120wk7
120wk8
90wk9
90wk10
90wk11
60wk12
60wk13
60wk14
60wk15
30wk16
30wk17
30wk18
30wk19
30wk20
30
All doses are per 24h period.
Drug rotation dose changes are linear. Drug discontinuation doses are exponential.
25% total dose reduction across rotation period to allow for pharmacological variation.