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)
510152025303540455055mg
6065707580859095100105110 
115120125130135140145150155160165 
1701751801851901952002052102152203) 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
120wk1
95wk2
75wk3
60wk4
45wk5
35wk6
30wk7
25wk8
20wk9
15wk10
10wk11
10wk12
5wk13
5wk14
5
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.