Opioids are frequently prescribed for acute and chronic pain, but their varying potencies make dose comparison challenging. Morphine is used as a reference standard, and the morphine milligram equivalent (MME) provides a consistent way to compare different opioids. For example, oxycodone is approximately 1.5 times more potent than morphine, while hydromorphone is about 4–5 times more potent.

The MME concept is crucial for preventing overdose and misuse. High cumulative opioid doses are associated with increased risk of respiratory depression, dependence, and overdose-related mortality. Guidelines from the CDC and other organizations recommend careful monitoring when daily doses exceed certain MME thresholds, such as 50 MME/day, and strong justification or avoidance beyond 90–120 MME/day.

This calculator is useful when converting between opioids, adjusting treatment plans, or assessing cumulative opioid burden in patients receiving multiple opioids. However, it should not be the sole factor guiding clinical decisions. Patient-specific considerations such as tolerance, renal or hepatic function, concurrent medications, and comorbidities must be evaluated. Additionally, MME conversions do not apply to methadone and buprenorphine in a linear manner, as their potency changes with dose and context.