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Corticosteroid conversion

Equivalent glucocorticoid doses by anti-inflammatory potency.

Corticosteroid conversion
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When to use

  • Switching between glucocorticoids while maintaining anti-inflammatory effect.

Formula

Equipotent anti-inflammatory doses: hydrocortisone 20 mg = prednisone/prednisolone 5 mg = methylprednisolone 4 mg = dexamethasone 0.75 mg.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • These ratios equate glucocorticoid (anti-inflammatory) effect only. Mineralocorticoid activity and duration of action differ markedly — dexamethasone has negligible mineralocorticoid effect and a much longer duration.

References

  1. Meikle AW, Tyler FH. Potency and duration of action of glucocorticoids. Am J Med. 1977;63(2):200–7.