A 56-year-old member asked:
what is the equivalent amt of morphime one would need to take day if they r switching from 120mg methadone daily?
4 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Loren Lewis answered
Occupational Medicine 34 years experience
1440 mg: The "morphine equivalent dose" for Methadone is complex and escalates with higher doses. Above 60 mg per day of methadone, the conversion factor is 1:12 so that 1 mg of Methadone is equivalent to 12 mg of morphine. See dose calculator at http://www.Agencymeddirectors.Wa.Gov/.
6076 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Stuart Wasser answered
Addiction Medicine 35 years experience
It varies by person: Equvalencies when switching from Methadone are tricky. At low doses it is 3:1 so 120 would equal 360. At higher doses of Methadone and with more chronic use- some say that the equivalence can be as much as 10:1 (1200mg) however, there is no such thing as perfect cross tolerance and a starting dose of another opioid should be less than half the equivalent dose followed by quick adjustments.
6074 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Kenneth Choquette answered
Pain Management 35 years experience
Titration: People vary so greatly that i don't giving patients schedules for switching. It depends on so many factors like, underlying diagnosis, frequency and duration of pain, individual tolerances and history or prior medication responses. Your doc needs to start low and go slow! you can always give more but can't take away once given. Start 1:1 then titrate. What works for one, doesn't for another.
6054 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. David Rosenfeld answered
Pain Management 27 years experience
Start slow: Theslows he initial answer is correct. There is no textbook answer. Methadone is especially tricky to switch from. A good starting point would be in the 20-30 mg per day range and then titrate up slowly.
5958 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Dec 19, 2017
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.