How Doctors Compare Pain Medications

Les Payne
September 06, 2023

Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME)

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Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:

What is an MME? The way doctors compare pain medications
Comparing the strength of some common pain medications
News: Update on the Oxycodone shortage

What is an MME?

Gif by foilarmsandhog on Giphy

A Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) is a standard unit of measurement used in healthcare to compare the potency and dosages of different opioid medications. It's a way to quantify the strength of opioids relative to the effects of morphine. This measurement is helpful for healthcare professionals when prescribing and monitoring opioid medications to ensure patient safety and prevent opioid overdose.

MMEs provide a standardized way to compare the potency of various opioids. Different opioids have different strengths. MMEs allow healthcare providers to convert all these different opioids into a common reference point, which is the amount of morphine that would produce the same pain-relieving effect.

Keep reading to see a comparison of some common opioid pain medication strengths using MMEs.

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Comparing Pain Medication Strengths

Giphy

Here is a list comparing the strengths of some common pain medications using MMEs

1 mg of Codeine

1 mg of Tramadol

1 mg of Morphine

1 mg of Hydrocodone

1 mg of Oxycodone

1 mg of Hydromorphone

1 mg of Fentanyl

0.1 MME

1.0 MME

1.5 MME

4.0 MME

130.0 MME 🤯

Patients prescribed opioids should always follow their healthcare provider's instructions and communicate any concerns or side effects related to their opioid medication. Opioid medications should be used cautiously and only when necessary, as they can carry risks of addiction, dependence, and overdose.

If you would like to measure your MMEs using your current pain medication regimen, use this simple online calculator from MDCalc.

Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME) Calculator

Calculates total daily morphine milligram equivalents

www.mdcalc.com/calc/10170/morphine-milligram-equivalents-mme-calculator

In the news…

Here is an update of the ongoing Opioid shortage

Rx Opioid Shortages Persist With No Federal Action — Pain News Network

By Pat Anson, PNN Editor There is no end in sight to shortages of opioid pain medication in the US, with the federal government taking no apparent action and several drug makers unable to estimate when full supplies will be restored. In a recent update , the American Society of Health-System Phar

www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2023/9/5/rx-opioid-shortages-persist-with-no-federal-action

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About the Author

Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!

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