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
160wk1
15090wk2
140150wk3
135210wk4
125270wk5
120330wk6
110390wk7
100450wk8
95510wk9
85570wk10
80630wk11
70690wk12
60750wk13
55810wk14
45870wk15
35930wk16
30990wk17
201050wk18
151110wk19
51170
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.