What is Morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: January 11, 2019.

The MEDD represents the total dose of opioids used over the course of 24 hours converted to an equivalent dose of parenteral morphine, following the standard equianalgesic conversion tables.

Vigano A, Bruera E and Suarez-Almazor M. Age, pain intensity, and opioid dose in patients with advanced cancer. Cancer. Internet. 2000. Accessed July 24, 2009. 83(6):1244-1250.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: October 10, 2020.

The Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD) is used to translate the dose and route of each of the opioids the patient has received over the last 24 hours to a parenteral morphine equivalent using a standard conversion table.

MEDD initial is the 24 h opioid dose before the physician meets with the patient (midnight-midnight).
MEDD final is the final 24 h opioid dosage that the patient receives.

Adapted from Edmonton Zone Palliative Care Program. Health Professionals. Assessment Tools. MEDD. Internet. Accessed January 30, 2016.

To cite

Morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD). IAHPC Pallipedia. https://pallipedia.org/morphine-equivalent-daily-dose-medd/. Accessed