Steroid Conversion Calculator

How does the steroid conversion calculator work?

This health tool transforms one steroid medication dosage to another steroid dosage based on equivalent dose. The list of corticosteroid medication available to convert is:

■ Cortisone – referred to as corticosteroid, treats different conditions such as arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis etc. by suppressing inflammation.

■ Hydrocortisone – is a topical corticosteroid that calms inflammation in skin conditions by reducing redness and itching.

■ Prednisone – suppresses the immune system, is also anti inflammatory and treats allergic disorders, skin conditions, arthritis etc.

■ Prednisolone – is the active metabolite of prednisone, specifically used in patients with conditions that require prednisone but also suffer from liver failure.

■ Triamcinolone – used in various skin conditions to relieve inflammation symptoms.

■ Methylprednisolone – used in conditions that respond to corticosteroids like the ones above but also in conditions affecting the lungs, nervous system and blood cells.

■ Betamethasone – used in rheumatic disorders, dermatitis, asthma, Crohn disease, and in adrenocortical insufficiency.

■ Dexamethasone – used in inflammatory conditions as most corticosteroids but also in tuberculosis along antibiotics.

The steroid conversion calculator can be utilized for drugs administered orally or by IV and the following table offers information on the anti inflammatory and mineralocorticoid potency of the steroid as well as the biological half life time.

*Biological half life accurately reflects the action duration of corticosteroid medication. The following legend has been used in the table:

■ Short = 8 – 12 hours;

■ Intermediate = 12 – 36 hours;

■ Long = 36 – 72 hours.

Steroid conversions are often used in the clinical setting due to medication shortages or required formulation for treatment i.e. IV or oral.

Medical specialists are also required to consider potency and the duration of the effect not only the steroid conversion in mg. For example, drugs such as Dexamethasone do not require frequent dosing due to the very long half life.

Steroid Dosage forms

■ Cortisone – oral tablet (25 mg);

■ Hydrocortisone – injection (100, 250, 500, 1000 mg) and oral tablet (5, 10, 20 mg);

■ Prednisone – oral tablet (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 50 mg), oral solution (1, 5 mg/mL);

■ Prednisolone – oral solution (5, 15, 20 mg/5 mL), oral suspension (15 mg/5 mL), oral tablet (10, 15, 30 mg);

■ Triamcinolone – injection (5, 10, 20, 40 mg/mL as 5 mL);

■ Methylprednisolone – injection (40, 125, 500, 1000, 2000 mg), oral tablet (2, 4, 8, 16, 32 mg);

■ Betamethasone – injection (3 mg/mL as 5 mL), oral solution (0.6 mg/5 mL);

■ Dexamethasone – injection (4 mg/mL as 1 mL, 5 mL, 30 mL or 10 mg/mL as 1 mL, 10 mL), oral tablet (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 6 mg), oral solution (0.5 mg/5 mL, 1 mg/mL).

References

1) Meikle AW, Tyler FH.(1977) Potency and duration of action of glucocorticoids. Effects of hydrocortisone, prednisone and dexamethasone on human pituitary-adrenal function. Am J Med; 63(2):200-7.

2) Chrousos GP, "Chapter 39. Adrenocorticosteroids & Adrenocortical Antagonists" (Chapter). Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ: Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 11e.

3) Asare K. (2007) Diagnosis and treatment of adrenal insufficiency in the critically ill patient. Pharmacotherapy; 27(11):1512-28.