Steroid Conversion Calculator (Corticosteroid Equivalents)
Convert a corticosteroid dose to its equivalent anti-inflammatory dose of another steroid — prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, betamethasone and more.
How it works
Equivalent dose = current dose ÷ equivalent of current steroid × equivalent of new steroid. Equivalent anti-inflammatory doses (BNF): prednisolone 5 mg = prednisone 5 mg = hydrocortisone 20 mg = cortisone 25 mg = methylprednisolone 4 mg = triamcinolone 4 mg = deflazacort 6 mg = dexamethasone 0.75 mg = betamethasone 0.75 mg.
Glucocorticoids differ widely in potency, so switching between them — for example from oral prednisone to intravenous methylprednisolone or dexamethasone — needs an equivalence table. The ratios used here are the equivalent anti-inflammatory doses published in the British National Formulary. They ignore differences in mineralocorticoid (salt-retaining) activity, which is high for hydrocortisone and cortisone and negligible for dexamethasone and betamethasone, and in duration of action. Equivalences are approximate and apply to oral or intravenous systemic doses, not to inhaled, topical or intra-articular use.
Worked example
Prednisone 40 mg a day equals 40 ÷ 5 × 0.75 = 6 mg of dexamethasone, 32 mg of methylprednisolone or 160 mg of hydrocortisone.
Sources: British National Formulary — Glucocorticoid therapy: equivalent anti-inflammatory doses
Frequently asked questions
How much dexamethasone equals prednisone?
Dexamethasone 0.75 mg is roughly equivalent to prednisone 5 mg, so dexamethasone is about 6–7 times as potent: 6 mg of dexamethasone ≈ 40 mg of prednisone.
How do I convert prednisone to methylprednisolone?
Methylprednisolone 4 mg ≈ prednisone 5 mg, so multiply the prednisone dose by 0.8. For example, prednisone 50 mg ≈ methylprednisolone 40 mg.
Is hydrocortisone replacement converted the same way?
For adrenal insufficiency the goal is physiological replacement, and dexamethasone has no mineralocorticoid effect — so endocrinology guidance should be followed instead of a simple equivalence table.
Are prednisone and prednisolone the same dose?
Yes. Prednisone is converted to prednisolone in the liver and the two are used milligram for milligram.
Related calculators
Dosing information for education and for checking by a qualified prescriber — always confirm the dose against the product label, the local formulary and the patient’s indication, allergies, age and renal function before giving any medicine.