The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) served as a key partner in the development of new international guidelines on opioid conversion in adults with cancer. In collaboration with the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), and the Network Italiano Cure di Supporto in Oncologia (NICSO), these guidelines represent a major step forward in standardizing opioid conversion practices in oncology care.
Authored by Millar P. Davis and colleagues, the guidelines focus on enhancing the safety and effectiveness of opioid conversions for cancer patients. They provide recommendations across three critical areas: pre-conversion assessments, conversion strategies, and post-conversion evaluations. The primary aim is to minimize the risk of overdose or underdosing when switching between opioids or changing administration routes.
While the evidence supporting these recommendations is modest and significant clinical and research gaps remain, the expert panel—led by AAHPM—intends for this guideline to serve as a foundational reference. It is hoped that this work will guide future research and the development of more robust, evidence-based practices in opioid management for cancer-related pain.
AAHPM proudly served as a key partner in developing new international guidelines on opioid conversion in adults with cancer — a major step toward safer, standardized practices in oncology care.
In collaboration with MASCC, ASCO, HPNA & NICSO, and authored by Millar P. Davis et al., the guidelines offer evidence-informed recommendations on:
🔹 Pre-conversion assessments
🔹 Conversion strategies
🔹 Post-conversion evaluations
While evidence gaps remain, this foundational guidance aims to reduce risks of overdose or underdosing and pave the way for future research.