Table 4. Equianalgesic Conversion Guide
  1. Add up the total amount of the current drug given in 24 hours.
    1. include both scheduled medication and rescue (breakthrough) doses for a "total 24 hour requirement)

  2. Go to equianalgesic chart and find the dose listed for the current drug AND the dose for the new drug.
    1. Set up a proportion as described below

       Dose listed for current medication  =  Dose listed for new drug
 Current 24h dose now for this pt.       (24h dose new drug)

Shortcut: Look at the left side of the equation as a fraction. If possible, reduce the fraction. This new fraction also applies to the relationship between the 24h doses and may immediately show the value of "N". If you can see this, go to step 4.
  1. Solve for "N" by cross multiplying.

     Equianalgesic table dose, current drug  =  24h dose current for this pt.
 Equianalgesic table dose, new drug                              N             

Next: finish the equation as below:

Equian.table dose of current drug x N = equian. table dose new drug x 24h dose current this pt.

N =equian table dose new drug x 24h dose current drug this pt
equianalgesic table dose, current drug

N = 24 hours dose of new drug

Look up duration of drug and divide N by the number of doses needed per 24 hr period

Check your math! Substitute the answer you calculated back into the proportion and cross multiply. The numbers should be equal.