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
450wk1
420wk2
360wk3
330wk4
300wk5
270wk6
240wk7
210wk8
180wk9
180wk10
150wk11
120wk12
120wk13
120wk14
90wk15
90wk16
60wk17
60wk18
60wk19
60wk20
30wk21
30wk22
30wk23
30wk24
30wk25
30wk26
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.