💊 Glucocorticoid Equivalent Dose Conversion
Glucocorticoid equivalence converts an anti-inflammatory potency dose from one corticosteroid to another.
The conversion reflects anti-inflammatory potency only and ignores mineralocorticoid activity, half-life, and onset differences (original synthesis · not guideline verbatim).
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When to use
Select the source and target drugs and enter the source dose; the tool returns the equivalent target dose and the prednisone equivalent.
How it works
Target dose = source dose × (potency_target / potency_source). Equivalent anti-inflammatory doses (mg): hydrocortisone 20, cortisone 25, prednisone 5, prednisolone 5, methylprednisolone 4, triamcinolone 4, dexamethasone 0.75, betamethasone 0.6.
Key points
- The conversion reflects anti-inflammatory potency only and ignores mineralocorticoid activity, half-life, and onset differences (original synthesis · not guideline verbatim).
- It is not valid for adrenal-insufficiency replacement dosing and does not define a tapering schedule.
- Long-acting agents such as dexamethasone suppress the HPA axis more strongly despite a low milligram dose.
References
- Williams DM. Clinical Pharmacology of Corticosteroids. Respir Care. 2018.
- Liu D, et al. A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2013.
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| From drug | Hydrocortisone |
|---|---|
| Dose of source drug | 40 mg |
| To drug | Hydrocortisone |
→Hydrocortisone equivalent dose40mg
- Prednisone equivalent：10 mg
- Basis：Anti-inflammatory equivalence: hydrocortisone 20 = cortisone 25 = prednisone 5 = methylprednisolone 4 = dexamethasone 0.75 = betamethasone 0.6 mg
Frequently asked questions
- What is Glucocorticoid Equivalent Dose Conversion?
- Glucocorticoid equivalence converts an anti-inflammatory potency dose from one corticosteroid to another.
- How is Glucocorticoid Equivalent Dose Conversion calculated? What is the core formula?
- Target dose = source dose × (potency_target / potency_source). Equivalent anti-inflammatory doses (mg): hydrocortisone 20, cortisone 25, prednisone 5, prednisolone 5, methylprednisolone 4, triamcinolone 4, dexamethasone 0.75, betamethasone 0.6.
- When is Glucocorticoid Equivalent Dose Conversion used?
- Select the source and target drugs and enter the source dose; the tool returns the equivalent target dose and the prednisone equivalent.
- What are the key clinical points for Glucocorticoid Equivalent Dose Conversion?
- The conversion reflects anti-inflammatory potency only and ignores mineralocorticoid activity, half-life, and onset differences (original synthesis · not guideline verbatim). It is not valid for adrenal-insufficiency replacement dosing and does not define a tapering schedule. Long-acting agents such as dexamethasone suppress the HPA axis more strongly despite a low milligram dose.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Glucocorticoid Equivalent Dose Conversion?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Glucocorticoid Equivalent Dose Conversion calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: From drug Hydrocortisone, Dose of source drug 40 mg, To drug Hydrocortisone → Result: Hydrocortisone equivalent dose 40 mg（Prednisone equivalent: 10 mg, Basis: Anti-inflammatory equivalence: hydrocortisone 20 = cortisone 25 = prednisone 5 = methylprednisolone 4 = dexamethasone 0.75 = betamethasone 0.6 mg）