Corticosteroid equivalent doses
Corticosteroid equivalent doses compare steroids — for example prednisolone and dexamethasone — by anti-inflammatory potency only; equal anti-inflammatory milligrams do not mean equal adrenal suppression, duration of action, or salt-retaining effect, so it is an educational estimate, not a tapering plan or a prescription.
Reference table
Doses by anti-inflammatory potency relative to prednisolone 5 mg. Equal anti-inflammatory milligrams do not mean equal adrenal suppression, duration, or salt-retaining effect; not a tapering plan. Educational, not a prescription.
| Drug | Equivalent dose |
|---|---|
| Cortisone | 25 mg |
| Hydrocortisone | 20 mg |
| Deflazacort | 7.5 mg |
| Prednisolone | 5 mg |
| Prednisone | 5 mg |
| Methylprednisolone | 4 mg |
| Triamcinolone | 4 mg |
| Betamethasone | 0.8 mg |
| Dexamethasone | 0.8 mg |
Common switches
Prednisolone to Dexamethasone
Prednisolone 5 mg maps to about 0.8 mg of Dexamethasone (modeled estimate, educational — not a prescription).
Methylprednisolone to Prednisolone
Methylprednisolone 4 mg maps to about 5 mg of Prednisolone (modeled estimate, educational — not a prescription).