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Morphine to oxycodone equivalence in chronic usage

Authoring team

Oxycodone

Oral oxycodone is 1.5 x as strong as oral morphine:

  • e.g. oral oxycodone 5mg is equivalent to oral morphine 7.5mg

SC oxycodone is 2x as strong as oral oxycodone:

  • e.g. SC oxycodone 5mg is equivalent to oral oxycodone 10mg

Oxycodone has good oral bioavailability.

Oxycodone is an alternative option if morphine is not tolerated.

Care should be taken to ensure clarity when prescribing immediate release capsules or modified release tablets. The modified release tablets also deliver a small dose which is immediate release.

Reference:

  • 1) West Midlands Palliative Care Physicians (2025). Palliative care - guidelines for the use of drugs in symptoms control.

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