Glucocorticoid Equivalence
Enter a source corticosteroid and dose to convert into an equipotent dose of another steroid. Useful for taper planning or switching agents.
Conversion Result
Prednisone equivalent
10.00 mg/day
10.00 mg Prednisone. Half-life: 12–36 h. Mineralocorticoid activity: Low.
Target steroid dose
40.00 mg/day
Hydrocortisone. Half-life: 8–12 h. Mineralocorticoid: High.
How to Use This Calculator
Identify the current regimen
Confirm total daily dose and formulation of the current corticosteroid.
Select the new steroid
Choose the agent you plan to switch to; review potency and mineralocorticoid activity.
Apply clinical judgement
Tailor the converted dose to taper goals, disease activity, and patient-specific factors.
Formula
Prednisone equivalent (mg) = source dose × (5 ÷ source potency mg).
Potency data from Endocrine Society and pharmacotherapy references (5 mg prednisone equivalents).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to IV formulations?
Yes—the potency relationship holds across oral and IV forms (e.g., methylprednisolone IV). Adjust for bioavailability if needed.
How do I taper safely?
Gradual tapers depend on duration of therapy. Reduce by 5–10% every 1–2 weeks once near physiologic doses; monitor for adrenal insufficiency.
What about mineralocorticoid activity?
Agents with higher mineralocorticoid activity (hydrocortisone, cortisone) cause more fluid retention; consider this when switching.
Can I use this for topical steroids?
No. Topical steroids have different potency classes and are not interchangeable with systemic equivalents.
How accurate are equivalence tables?
They provide approximations. Individual response varies—monitor clinical status and lab markers.