Corticosteroid Conversion Calculator
Converts corticosteroid dosages using equivalences
Medical Specialty:
pharmacology
FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY
This calculator is a support tool intended exclusively for health professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. The final decision regarding diagnosis and treatment is the sole responsibility of the professional.
About this Calculator 💡
A corticosteroid converter, often referred to as a steroid equivalence calculator, is an essential clinical tool used by healthcare professionals to determine equipotent doses when switching a patient from one corticosteroid medication to another. This tool is fundamental because different corticosteroids (such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone) possess vastly different anti-inflammatory (glucocorticoid) potencies, in addition to varying in their mineralocorticoid (salt and water retention) properties and their biological half-lives. The converter uses established equivalence ratios – for example, 5 mg of prednisone is approximately equivalent in anti-inflammatory effect to 20 mg of hydrocortisone, 4 mg of methylprednisolone, or 0.75 mg of dexamethasone – to calculate the dose of the new drug that will provide a comparable therapeutic effect. Correct use of this converter is vital for maintaining disease control, avoiding underdosing (which can lead to disease flare or adrenal insufficiency), and preventing overdosing (which increases the risk of cushingoid and metabolic side effects) during the therapy transition.
Reference Values
- •Equivalent dose of the converted corticosteroid
Formula
Calculation Methodology Conversion based on anti-inflammatory potency equivalences
Reference
Chrousos GP. Adrenocorticosteroids & adrenocortical antagonists. In: Katzung BG, ed. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. 12th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2012.