Equianalgesia

Adapted from Dr. Doberman's Principles of Analgesia, Palliative & Geriatrics

Make sure you are appropriately treating your patient's pain!
Use the appropriate dosages at the appropriate intervals; PO medications should be redosed every 3-4 hours for short-acting medications. IV opioids should be redosed every 1-2 hours. Titrate your dosing to patient comfort. 

In severe pain, titrate rapidly with short acting opioids, and change to longer acting medications when pain relief is achieved. During in-patient services, always remember to provide a breath through pain medication that provides 10-20% of their normal 24 hour oral dose, or 50-100% of their hourly IV rate.