1. What is MME Equivalent?

MME (Morphine Milligram Equivalent) is a standardized unit used to compare the relative potency of different opioid medications to morphine. It helps healthcare providers assess opioid dosage strength and monitor for potential overdose risk.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the MME formula:

Where:

• \( Dose \) — Opioid medication dose in milligrams
• \( Conversion Factor \) — Factor to convert specific opioid to morphine equivalent

Explanation: The equation converts various opioid medications to their morphine equivalent dose, allowing for standardized comparison of opioid potency across different medications.

3. Importance of MME Calculation

Details: MME calculation is crucial for safe opioid prescribing, monitoring patient safety, identifying high-risk opioid use, and complying with prescribing guidelines and regulations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the opioid dose in milligrams and the appropriate conversion factor for the specific medication. Common conversion factors include 1 for morphine, 1.5 for oxycodone, 0.15 for fentanyl, etc.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the purpose of MME calculation?
A: MME calculation standardizes opioid potency comparisons, helps monitor overdose risk, and guides safe prescribing practices across different opioid medications.

Q2: What are common conversion factors?
A: Morphine = 1, Oxycodone = 1.5, Hydrocodone = 1, Hydromorphone = 4, Fentanyl = 0.15 (transdermal), Codeine = 0.15.

Q3: What MME level is considered high risk?
A: Generally, daily MME ≥50 is associated with increased overdose risk, and ≥90 MME/day significantly increases overdose risk. However, individual patient factors must be considered.

Q4: Are there limitations to MME calculations?
A: Yes, MME doesn't account for individual patient metabolism, tolerance, route of administration differences, or non-opioid pain management factors.

Q5: Should MME be used for all opioid conversions?
A: MME is most reliable for chronic pain management comparisons. For acute pain or opioid-naive patients, additional caution and lower dosing may be necessary.