Opioid Tapering Calculator

Generates a tapering schedule based on CDC 2022 guidelines. Reduces opioid dose by 10% per week or slower to minimize withdrawal symptoms and rebound pain.

mg morphine equivalents/day
Total daily morphine milligram equivalent dose.
Standard is 10% per week. Slower for high doses or anxious patients. Faster only for urgent indications.
mg morphine equivalents/day
If goal is complete discontinuation, leave as 0. Otherwise enter target dose.

Enter values and click Calculate to see tapering schedule.

Note

CDC 2022 recommends: 10% per week or slower for doses <50 MME; 10% per month for doses >90 MME. At low doses, may slow to 5% per week or hold for 1-2 months between reductions. Conversion to equivalent shorter-acting opioid may facilitate tapering at low doses.

Warnings & Limitations

  • Do NOT taper >10% per week without compelling indication.
  • At doses >90 MME, taper by 10% per MONTH or slower.
  • NEVER abandon patients during taper - provide ongoing support.
  • Watch for opioid withdrawal: yawning, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, piloerection, restlessness, anxiety, myalgia.
  • Watch for opioid-induced hyperalgesia during taper.
  • If patient shows signs of opioid use disorder, consider medication-assisted treatment (buprenorphine, methadone).
  • Provide non-opioid multimodal pain management during taper.
  • Tapering may take months to years depending on starting dose and patient factors.

References

  1. CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain 2022 Update — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022)
  2. How Do You Taper Off Opioids? — WebMD (2025)