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Converts between equivalent glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid doses of commonly used adrenal steroids.
Clinical decision-support tool for qualified healthcare professionals. Results are not a diagnosis and should not replace professional clinical judgment.
This calculator converts between equivalent anti-inflammatory and sodium-retaining doses of commonly used systemic glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. Equivalent doses approximate comparable biological potency but do not account for differences in pharmacokinetics, half-life, receptor affinity, or tissue-specific effects among individual agents. Practical interpretation depends on the clinical context. The equivalence factors are most applicable when switching between agents for the same indication at steady state. They are less reliable when converting between routes (e.g., intravenous to oral), when adjusting dose during acute illness, or when the clinical goal shifts from anti-inflammatory to mineralocorticoid replacement. Tissue selectivity differs: dexamethasone and betamethasone have negligible mineralocorticoid activity, while hydrocortisone retains meaningful sodium-retaining potency at replacement doses. Limitations: Steroid equivalents are approximations derived from classical bioassays and clinical experience, not precision pharmacology. The calculated dose should be treated as a starting estimate, not an exact replacement target. Duration of therapy, cumulative exposure, adrenal suppression risk, and patient-specific factors (age, weight, comorbidities, drug interactions) all influence appropriate dosing. This tool does not constitute individualized prescribing advice, and conversion decisions should be made by a clinician with familiarity with the patient's condition and steroid pharmacology.
Specialty
EndocrinologyCategory
EndocrinologyDifficulty
Basic
Estimated Time
30 seconds
Version
1.0
Last Updated
2026-08-06
Formula
Normal Range
Dose-dependent
| Classification | Range |
|---|---|
Low-dose glucocorticoid | ≤7.5 |
Moderate-dose glucocorticoid | 7.5–20 |
High-dose glucocorticoid | >20 |
Converts a dose of one glucocorticoid into its approximate prednisone-equivalent dose using standard anti-inflammatory potency equivalence factors, to support comparing doses across glucocorticoids.
The entered dose is converted to its prednisone-equivalent dose by multiplying by the steroid's glucocorticoid equivalence factor, with the mineralocorticoid equivalent also reported.
Dose of the source steroid in mg, multiplied by the equivalence factor.
The steroid being converted, which determines the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid equivalence factors.
The calculator returns the prednisone-equivalent dose in mg and assigns its own convention bands: ≤7.5 mg is labeled low-dose, 7.5–20 mg moderate-dose, and >20 mg high-dose. These bands are calculator conventions for context and are not universal treatment thresholds. Equivalences are approximate and based on anti-inflammatory potency; they do not reflect mineralocorticoid activity (e.g., hydrocortisone retains significant mineralocorticoid effect while dexamethasone has essentially none) or duration of action.
Because the anti-inflammatory potency of glucocorticoids differs, converting between them using standard equivalence factors helps ensure that a change from one steroid to another aims for a comparable dose — while emphasizing that equivalence is approximate and that formulation, route, indication, duration, and patient response must all be considered.
A patient is prescribed prednisone 10 mg/day; separately, dexamethasone 0.75 mg/day is being considered on another occasion.
Inputs:
Expected Result: Prednisone 10 mg → prednisone-equivalent = 10 mg, reported in the moderate-dose band (7.5–20 mg). As a second illustration, dexamethasone 0.75 mg → 0.75 × 6.667 ≈ 5 mg prednisone-equivalent, reported in the low-dose band (≤7.5 mg).
Prednisone 5 mg is approximately equivalent to dexamethasone 0.75 mg. Divide the prednisone dose by approximately 6.67 to get the dexamethasone equivalent.
Hydrocortisone has both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity, making it the preferred replacement in adrenal insufficiency when given in divided doses to mimic physiological cortisol rhythm.
No. These are approximations based on anti-inflammatory potency. Individual patient response varies based on metabolism, comorbidities, and the specific clinical condition.
Disclaimer: This calculator is intended for educational and clinical decision support purposes only. Glucocorticoid equivalence is approximate and is not a prescribing or tapering plan; formulation, route, indication, duration, and individual patient factors must be considered by the treating clinician.
Converting between equivalent steroid doses.
Approximate equivalences only.