What is the oxycodone conversion factor used to calculate morphine milligram equivalents?

What is the oxycodone conversion factor used to calculate morphine milligram equivalents?

• A. 2.0
• B. 1.0
• C. 0.5
• D. 1.5

Answer: (D)

Morphine milligram equivalents (MME) provide a standard way to compare how strong different opioids are and to guide safe dosing. To convert any opioid dose to MMEs, you multiply by that drug’s conversion factor relative to morphine. Oxycodone’s factor is 1.5, meaning each milligram of oxycodone equals 1.5 milligrams of morphine. For example, 10 mg of oxycodone would be 15 MME. This helps clinicians assess total opioid exposure, especially when switching opioids or adjusting doses. Other factors would imply different potency relationships (1.0 would treat oxycodone as equal to morphine, 2.0 would double it, 0.5 would halve it), which do not reflect oxycodone’s true relative potency. Therefore, the conversion factor is 1.5.

Morphine milligram equivalents (MME) provide a standard way to compare how strong different opioids are and to guide safe dosing. To convert any opioid dose to MMEs, you multiply by that drug’s conversion factor relative to morphine. Oxycodone’s factor is 1.5, meaning each milligram of oxycodone equals 1.5 milligrams of morphine. For example, 10 mg of oxycodone would be 15 MME. This helps clinicians assess total opioid exposure, especially when switching opioids or adjusting doses. Other factors would imply different potency relationships (1.0 would treat oxycodone as equal to morphine, 2.0 would double it, 0.5 would halve it), which do not reflect oxycodone’s true relative potency. Therefore, the conversion factor is 1.5.