Converting MME to OxyContin and Immediate-Release Oxycodone Regimen
Conversion Calculation
- According to CDC guidelines, oxycodone has a conversion factor of 1.5, meaning 203 MME equals approximately 135 mg of oxycodone daily 1, 2
- When converting between opioids, a conservative approach is recommended - starting with a lower dose (approximately 75-80% of the calculated equivalent) to account for incomplete cross-tolerance 2
OxyContin (Extended-Release) Dosing
- OxyContin should be administered twice daily (every 12 hours) for most patients to maintain consistent pain control 3, 4
- For a 203 MME conversion, OxyContin 60 mg twice daily (120 mg total) provides the foundation for around-the-clock pain control 4, 5
- While some patients may require dosing every 8 hours, twice-daily dosing is preferred for simplicity and compliance 3, 4
Breakthrough Pain Management
- Immediate-release oxycodone should be available for breakthrough pain 3, 6
- The appropriate breakthrough dose is typically 10-15% of the total daily extended-release dose 6, 5
- For this regimen, immediate-release oxycodone 15 mg every 4-6 hours as needed would be appropriate 4
Monitoring and Adjustments
- Reassess pain control within 24-48 hours after initiating therapy 7
- If breakthrough pain occurs consistently before the next scheduled OxyContin dose, consider increasing the regular dose rather than increasing dosing frequency 3, 7
- The drug regimen should be kept as simple as possible to improve compliance 6, 4