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
125wk1
115wk2
105wk3
100wk4
90wk5
85wk6
80wk7
75wk8
65wk9
65wk10
60wk11
55wk12
50wk13
45wk14
45wk15
40wk16
35wk17
35wk18
30wk19
30wk20
25wk21
25wk22
25wk23
20wk24
20wk25
20wk26
15wk27
15wk28
15wk29
15wk30
10wk31
10wk32
10wk33
10wk34
10wk35
5wk36
5wk37
5wk38
5wk39
5wk40
5wk41
5wk42
5wk43
5wk44
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.