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An example oral opioid switch from morphine to oxycodone

Published Last updated See all updates
Topics: MorphineOxycodonePalliative and End of Life CareSwitching

An example worked scenario to support you when switching or advising on switching between morphine and other oral opioids in cancer and palliative care

This article forms part of a series
  1. Switching between morphine and other opioids in palliative care
    1. Estimating dose equivalence from oral morphine to other opioids
    2. An example oral opioid switch from morphine to oxycodone
Contents
  1. Refer to our full advice first
  2. Scenario: morphine to oxycodone switch
    1. Calculate current total daily dose
    2. Estimate an equivalent dose
    3. Consider applying a dose reduction
    4. Choose an appropriate modified-release oxycodone preparation
    5. Prescribe as required opioids
    6. Monitor patient and titrate doses
  3. Update history

Refer to our full advice first

If you’ve not done so already, refer first to our full advice on morphine and opioid switching included in this series.

Scenario: morphine to oxycodone switch

Patient is taking modified-release morphine tablets at a dose of 30mg twice daily with morphine oral solution at a dose of 10mg 4 hourly when required (‘prn’) for breakthrough pain (patient reports needing to take this on average twice daily). Their consultant suggests to switch morphine to oxycodone.

The steps below provide an example of how a healthcare professional may apply Switching between morphine and other opioids in palliative care to determine the appropriate dose of oxycodone to prescribe in this scenario.

Update history

  1. Minor amendments following user feedback
  1. Published