Current Opioid Drug Select an opioid Morphine (oral) Oxycodone (oral) Hydromorphone (oral) Hydrocodone (oral) Codeine (oral) Oxymorphone (oral) Select the opioid you are currently taking

Current Opioid Dose Per Administration (mg) Enter the amount of each dose in milligrams (e.g., 10)

Dosing Frequency (administrations/day) Enter how many times you take this medicine each day (e.g., 4)

Target Opioid Drug Select a target opioid Morphine (oral) Oxycodone (oral) Hydromorphone (oral) Hydrocodone (oral) Codeine (oral) Oxymorphone (oral) Select the opioid you want to convert to

Quick Examples:

Oxycodone to Morphine Morphine to Hydromorphone

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This calculator is a screening tool only, not a diagnostic instrument. It is not intended to replace professional medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare provider.

What Is Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME)

Morphine Milligram Equivalent, or MME, is a way to compare different opioid medicines using one common measure. Doctors use it because each opioid is a different strength. For example, 10 mg of one opioid may be much stronger than 10 mg of another. MME turns any opioid dose into an equal amount of oral morphine. This makes it easier to see the total strength of a patient's medicine and check if it may be associated with a higher chance of harm.

How Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) Is Calculated

Formula

The calculation works in three steps. First, it finds the total amount of opioid taken in one full day by multiplying the dose per pill by how many times it is taken. Second, it turns that total into MME by multiplying it by a conversion factor. Each opioid has its own factor based on how strong it is compared to morphine. Third, to switch to a different opioid, the MME is divided by the new opioid's conversion factor. This gives a daily dose of the target opioid that may provide a similar level of pain relief.

Why Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) Matters

Knowing your MME helps you and your doctor see the full picture of your opioid treatment. It puts all opioids on the same scale so it is easier to understand the total strength of your medicine.

Why Knowing Your MME Is Important for Opioid Safety

Research has found that higher daily MME values may be associated with a greater chance of serious side effects, including overdose. Many guidelines suggest that doses above 90 MME per day may carry a higher risk. Checking your MME before making any changes to your medicine may help you and your doctor make safer choices. This calculator is not a substitute for medical advice and does not tell you whether your dose is safe for you.

For Switching Between Opioids

When a doctor changes a patient from one opioid to another, the MME helps find a starting dose for the new medicine. Because people may develop tolerance differently to each opioid, the converted dose is often a starting point. A doctor may then adjust the dose up or down based on how the patient responds. This calculator provides an estimate of that starting point only.

MME vs Actual Opioid Dose

It is common to confuse the actual number of milligrams you take with the MME value. They are often different numbers. For example, 10 mg of oxycodone is not the same as 10 MME. Because oxycodone is stronger than morphine, 10 mg of oxycodone equals about 15 MME. Always look at the MME value when comparing the strength of different opioids, not just the milligram amount shown on the label.

Example Calculation

A patient takes oxycodone 10 mg, four times per day. The doctor wants to know the MME and what the equivalent dose would be if switching to oral morphine.

First, the total daily dose of oxycodone is 10 mg times 4, which equals 40 mg/day. The conversion factor for oxycodone is 1.5, so the MME is 40 times 1.5, which equals 60 MME. To convert to morphine, divide 60 by the morphine conversion factor of 1.0, giving 60 mg/day of morphine.

MME: 60 mg/day. Total daily dose: 40 mg/day. Equivalent morphine daily dose: 60 mg/day. Equivalent morphine per administration: 15 mg.

This result means the patient's current oxycodone regimen is roughly equal to 60 mg of oral morphine per day. A healthcare provider may use this number as a starting point when planning the switch. The actual prescribed dose may be lower to account for incomplete cross-tolerance between opioids. This is an estimate only and should not be used to make changes to your medicine on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a safe MME per day?

There is no single safe MME that applies to everyone. Some guidelines suggest that doses above 50 or 90 MME per day may be associated with a higher chance of overdose. However, safe levels depend on many factors like how long a person has taken opioids and their overall health. A healthcare provider is the best person to decide what is appropriate for your situation.

Does this calculator work for fentanyl patches or IV opioids?

This calculator is designed for oral opioids measured in milligrams. Fentanyl patches use micrograms per hour, and IV opioids have different absorption rates. These forms require special conversion steps that this tool does not include. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for help with transdermal or IV opioid conversions.

Why does my converted dose feel different from my old opioid?

Conversion factors are based on averages and may not match how your body responds. People often develop different levels of tolerance to each opioid. This is called incomplete cross-tolerance. Because of this, a converted dose may feel stronger or weaker than expected. A doctor typically starts with a lower dose and adjusts over time.

Can I use this calculator if I take more than one opioid at the same time?

This calculator handles one opioid at a time. If you take more than one opioid, you would need to calculate the MME for each one separately and then add them together. However, combining opioids may carry additional risks. It is recommended to discuss your full medicine list with a healthcare provider rather than making changes on your own.