Understanding equianalgesic dosing

Over the past several years, improving pain management has become a major initiative. Nurses play a vital role in this effort. To be most effective in this pain relief role, nurses need to develop a clearer understanding of the opioid analgesics and how to use them. The purpose of this article is to outline basic questions that are helpful as one considers either changing routes of opioid analgesic administration or changing drugs. Use of the equianalgesic table is discussed with specific examples of use in clinical practice.