Steroid-Umrechnungsrechner
Convert between corticosteroid equivalent doses based on anti-inflammatory (glucocorticoid) potency. See the full equivalency table with mineralocorticoid potency and half-life.
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Relative Potency Table
| Steroid | Equiv. Dose (mg) | GC Potency | MC Potency | Half-life |
|---|
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Conversions are approximate — clinical response varies. Mineralocorticoid activity differs between steroids. Not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Über dieses Tool
What Is Steroid Equivalency?
Corticosteroid equivalency refers to the relative anti-inflammatory (glucocorticoid) potency of different synthetic and naturally occurring corticosteroids. Because these agents vary in their glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity, duration of action, and bioavailability, equivalent dose tables are essential for safe conversion when switching between steroids. The standard reference point is prednisone 5 mg, to which all other steroids are compared.
Clinical Application
Steroid conversions are commonly needed when transitioning from IV to oral corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone IV to prednisone PO), calculating cumulative steroid burden, or adjusting therapy based on side-effect profiles. For example, dexamethasone (long-acting, no mineralocorticoid effect) may be preferred for cerebral edema or antiemetic use, while hydrocortisone is preferred for adrenal insufficiency replacement due to its physiologic mineralocorticoid activity. Understanding equivalencies helps avoid both under-dosing (treatment failure) and over-dosing (Cushingoid effects, adrenal suppression).
Mineralocorticoid vs. Glucocorticoid Activity
All corticosteroids have both glucocorticoid (anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, metabolic) and mineralocorticoid (sodium retention, potassium excretion) activity, but the balance varies greatly. Hydrocortisone and cortisone have significant mineralocorticoid activity. Prednisone and prednisolone have moderate mineralocorticoid activity. Dexamethasone and betamethasone have essentially none. This distinction is critical when choosing steroids for adrenal replacement (need mineralocorticoid) versus pure immunosuppression (may prefer no mineralocorticoid effect).
Important Limitations
Equivalency tables are based on anti-inflammatory potency only and do not account for differences in mineralocorticoid activity, biological half-life, or tissue-specific effects. Clinical response may vary based on route of administration, patient-specific factors (obesity, liver disease), and the specific indication. These conversions do not apply to inhaled or topical corticosteroid formulations, which have entirely different potency scales.
🔑 Klinische Praxistipps
- Prednisone is a prodrug that requires hepatic conversion to prednisolone — in severe liver disease, use prednisolone directly.
- Patients on ≥20 mg prednisone equivalent daily for ≥3 weeks are at risk for adrenal suppression and require a taper.
- Dexamethasone 6 mg ≈ prednisone 40 mg — the dose used in the RECOVERY trial for COVID-19.
- Stress-dose steroids: hydrocortisone 100 mg IV bolus, then 50 mg q8h, tapered as stress resolves. Hydrocortisone is preferred for its mineralocorticoid activity.
- When calculating cumulative dose for osteoporosis risk, convert all steroids to prednisone equivalents.
- Duration of action matters clinically: a single daily dose of dexamethasone covers 36–72 hours, while hydrocortisone needs 2–3 daily doses.
Key References
- Schimmer BP, Funder JW. ACTH, Adrenal Steroids. In: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 13th ed. 2018.
- Liu D, Ahmet A, et al. A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2013;9(1):30.
- Paragliola RM, Papi G, et al. Treatment with synthetic glucocorticoids and the HPA axis. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(10):2201.
Formel zuletzt überprüft: Februar 2026