Opioid Comparison Table – Free PDF

Opioid Comparison Table - Free PDF

Opioids are commonly used in clinical practice. Selection on these agents can often be confusion. We’ve outlined some of the most important pharmacokinetic, pharmacogenomic, and dosage form clinical pearls in the table below. For easier reading, we have also created the Opioid Comparison Table as a free downloadable PDF which you can download at the end of this post.

Opioid Comparison Table

DrugAvailable Dosage FormsOral Morphine Milligram Equivalence (MME) Conversion Factor – Higher # = More Potent***Kinetics (Oral Unless Otherwise Stated)Relevant PGxMiscellaneous
CodeineOral Liquid, Oral Tablet0.15Time to Peak: 60 minutes Half-Life: 3 hoursCYP2D6 Metabolism: Rapid Metabolism = High Toxicity Risk, Poor Metabolism = Decreased AnalgesiaContraindicated in children under 12 years of age. Morphine is a metabolite of codeine, so a morphine allergy equates to a codeine allergy.
MorphineIM, IV, Oral Capsule/Tablet, Oral Solution, Rectal Suppository1Bioavailability: 20-30% Half-Life: 2-4 hours (IR), 15 hours (SR)No significant gene interactions.Excretion of metabolites is primarily renal. Morphine-3-glucuronide is the metabolite that can accumulate and cause CNS toxicity in renal failure.
OxycodoneOral Tablet/Capsule, Oral Solution1.5Bioavailability: 60-87% Half-Life: 3.5-4 hr (IR), 4.5-8 hr (ER)CYP2D6 Metabolism (Variable Evidence): Rapid Metabolism = High Toxicity Risk, Poor Metabolism = Decreased AnalgesiaAvailable in combination products with acetaminophen. Oxymorphone is the more active metabolite of oxycodone.
HydrocodoneOral Tablet/Capsule1Half-Life: 3.8 hours (IR), 7-9 hours (ER)CYP2D6 Metabolism (Variable Evidence): Rapid Metabolism = High Toxicity Risk, Poor Metabolism = Decreased AnalgesiaAvailable in combination products with acetaminophen. Hydromorphone is the active metabolite of hydrocodone.
HydromorphoneIV Solution, Oral Solution, Oral Tablet, Rectal Suppository4Bioavailability: 24% Half-Life: 2.6 hr (IR), 11 hr (ER)No significant gene interactions. Avoids CYP metabolism pathways.Primarily eliminated by the liver, therefore a better option in renal impairment.
OxymorphoneOral Tablets3Bioavailability: 10% Half-Life: 7.25 – 9.43 hrsNo significant gene interactions. Avoids CYP metabolism pathways.Oral administration should be separated from food due to increase in AUC.
MethadoneIV Solution, Oral Liquid, Oral Tablet1-20 mg/day: 4 21-40 mg/day: 8 41-60 mg/day: 10 61-80+ mg/day: 12Bioavailability: 36-100% Half-Life: 8 to 59 hoursMetabolized by CYP3A4, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6. Only CYP2B6 has been shown to be clinically significant with polymorphisms, but there are many drug interactions.Highest risk for QTc prolongation of all the opioids. Patient response and kinetics are extremely variable to methadone.
TramadolOral Tablet (IR and ER), Oral Liquid0.1Bioavailability: ~ 75% Half-Life: 5.6-10 hrsCYP2D6: Rapid Metabolism = Higher Risk of Toxicity, Poor Metabolism = Decreased AnalgesiaContraindicated in children under 12 years of age. Seizure risk. Serotonin risk with SNRI type activity.
FentanylTransdermal Patch, Buccal Tablet, IV solution, Lozenge/Troche, Sublingual Tablet, Nasal Spray30mg of morphine/day is approximately equivalent to 12mcg/hr patchPatches: Tmax = 28-35 hours; Effects may last 3-4 days due to absorption through the skin. Estimated Half-Life 3-12 hours Lozenge: Half-Life = 3-6 hrsCYP3A4 – Drug interactions exist with inhibitors and inducers, and an accumulation of fentanyl could occur with poor metabolizers though this is not mentioned in the PI or on CPIC.Absorption affected by external heat application. The lowest patch strength is technically 12.5 mcg/hr but is designated as 12 mcg/hr to avoid possible errors with a 125 mcg/hr dose. A REMS program exists with recommendations for healthcare providers and education programs prepared by manufacturers specifically for transmucosal formulations.
MeperidineOral Tablet, IV Solution, Oral Solution/Syrup0.1Bioavailability = 50%, Half-Life = 3 to 8 hoursMetabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 – no data on difference in metabolizers, but drug interactions with CYP3A4 inducers and inhibitors (black box warning)Contraindicated within 14 days of MAOI use. Risk of neurotoxicity and side effects such as delirium from normeperidine metabolite (generally avoided). Accumulates in poor renal function.
Opioid Comparison Table

***Conversions are approximate and not an exact science due to variability in genetics, metabolism, age, and kinetics – I discuss opioid equivalencies further in this previous blog post: Opioid Equivalencies: Are They Really?

If you notice any errors or items that you feel should be updated, please leave a comment below or email me at [email protected]

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Written By Eric Christianson

January 1, 2023

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