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
6065707580859095100105110115120125130135140145150155160165
170175180185190195200205210215220
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
1900wk1
1520wk2
1215wk3
970wk4
775wk5
620wk6
495wk7
395wk8
315wk9
255wk10
200wk11
160wk12
130wk13
100wk14
80wk15
65wk16
50wk17
40wk18
30wk19
25wk20
20wk21
15wk22
10wk23
10wk24
5wk25
5wk26
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.