Source Steroid Select a steroid Hydrocortisone Cortisone Prednisone Prednisolone Methylprednisolone Triamcinolone Dexamethasone Betamethasone Select the corticosteroid you are currently using or converting from

Source Dose (mg/day) Enter your current daily steroid dose in milligrams (e.g., 10)

Target Steroid Select a steroid Hydrocortisone Cortisone Prednisone Prednisolone Methylprednisolone Triamcinolone Dexamethasone Betamethasone Select the corticosteroid you want to convert to

Quick Examples:

Prednisone to Dexamethasone Hydrocortisone to Methylprednisolone

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This calculator is a screening tool only, not a diagnostic instrument. It is not intended to replace professional medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare provider.

What Is Equivalent Dose

An equivalent dose is the amount of one corticosteroid that may produce a similar anti-inflammatory effect as another corticosteroid. Different steroid medicines have different strengths. A small amount of one steroid might work as well as a larger amount of another. Equivalent dose helps compare these strengths so doctors and patients can understand how doses relate to each other when switching between medications.

How Equivalent Dose Is Calculated

Formula

The formula works by finding how strong each steroid is compared to a common reference point, which is hydrocortisone. First, it looks up the standard equivalent dose for both the source and target steroid. Then it divides the target factor by the source factor to get a conversion ratio. This ratio shows how many times stronger or weaker the target steroid is. Finally, it multiplies the source dose by this ratio to find the matching target dose. If the target steroid is stronger, the equivalent dose will be smaller. If it is weaker, the equivalent dose will be larger.

Why Equivalent Dose Matters

Knowing the equivalent dose helps when a doctor suggests switching from one steroid to another. It gives a starting point for the new dose so the anti-inflammatory effect may stay about the same during the switch.

Why Steroid Conversion Is Important for Safe Dosing

Switching steroids without a proper conversion may lead to a dose that is too high or too low. A dose that is too high may increase the chance of side effects such as weight gain, high blood sugar, or bone loss. A dose that is too low may not control inflammation well enough. Using an equivalent dose calculation is one step that may help reduce these risks, but it does not replace a doctor's judgment.

For Tapering Off Corticosteroids

When tapering off a steroid, doctors may switch to a shorter-acting steroid first. The equivalent dose gives a starting point for this switch. From there, the dose may be slowly lowered over time. This approach may help the body adjust more gradually, but the exact taper schedule should always be guided by a healthcare provider.

For Clinicians and Advanced Users

Standard equivalent factors are based on average anti-inflammatory potency and may not reflect individual patient responses. Factors such as how the body absorbs and breaks down each drug, the length of time the drug stays active, and a patient's liver or kidney function may all change the actual effective dose. Advanced users may consider these factors alongside the calculated equivalent dose.

Glucocorticoid Equivalence vs Mineralocorticoid Activity

This calculator estimates glucocorticoid (anti-inflammatory) equivalence only. Some steroids also have mineralocorticoid effects, which affect salt and water balance in the body. For example, hydrocortisone and cortisone have higher mineralocorticoid activity than prednisone or dexamethasone. A common mistake is assuming that equivalent anti-inflammatory doses also have equivalent effects on fluid balance, which is not always the case.

Example Calculation

A patient is currently taking prednisone at a dose of 10 mg/day. Their doctor wants to know what dose of dexamethasone may provide a similar anti-inflammatory effect. The source steroid is prednisone and the target steroid is dexamethasone.

First, the calculator looks up the equivalent factors. Prednisone has a factor of 5 mg and dexamethasone has a factor of 0.75 mg. The conversion ratio is 0.75 divided by 5, which equals 0.15. Then it multiplies 10 mg by 0.15 to get the equivalent dose.

Equivalent Dose: 1.50 mg/day of dexamethasone. Conversion Ratio: 0.15.

This means 1.50 mg of dexamethasone is estimated to have a similar anti-inflammatory effect as 10 mg of prednisone. However, dexamethasone lasts longer in the body and has different side effect patterns. A healthcare provider may adjust this starting dose based on the patient's specific needs and response.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between prednisone and prednisolone conversion?

Prednisone and prednisolone have the same equivalent factor of 5 mg, so the conversion ratio between them is 1. This means the estimated equivalent dose is the same. In practice, the body converts prednisone into prednisolone, so they are very closely related. Some patients with liver problems may process prednisone differently, which a doctor may consider.

How often should I recalculate when switching steroids?

A conversion calculation is typically done once at the time of the switch to find a starting dose. After that, a healthcare provider may adjust the dose based on how the patient responds. There is usually no need to recalculate unless a second switch to a different steroid is being considered.

Do steroid conversion factors apply to children?

The standard equivalent factors used in this calculator are based on adult data. Children may process steroids differently due to differences in body size, metabolism, and growth. Pediatric dosing often requires weight-based adjustments and should always be directed by a healthcare provider experienced in pediatric care.

Can I use this calculator if I have liver or kidney disease?

This calculator uses standard population factors that do not account for liver or kidney disease. These conditions may change how the body processes steroids, which could make the actual effective dose different from the calculated estimate. Consult a healthcare provider for dosing guidance in these situations.