Calculation skills in chronic pain management: answers

Ben, aged 52, has type 2 diabetes mellitus and has been commenced on gabapentin capsules for neuropathic pain. The British National Formulary (Joint Formulary Committee, 2019) states that he should be prescribed the following regimen:

Janet, aged 45, was prescribed buprenorphine transdermal patch 10 micrograms per hour/one patch weekly. After 3 months' use, her pain is not adequately controlled and you decide to increase the strength of the patch by 50%.

Morphine sulfate 2 mg/ml oral solution (Oramorph) is prescribed for Ian who is in chronic pain at the end of life. The recommended dose for Ian is 10 mg every 4 hours.

Charlotte has chronic back pain due to previous orthopaedic surgery. Tramadol hydrochloride (modified-release) was prescribed and she has been taking one 200 mg tablet every 12 hours for 6 months. Charlotte has decided she wants to reduce this medication. As a prescriber, you agree to reduce the strength by 25% every 2 weeks.