Summary
Usage Patients using steroid medications may need to have doses converted to another steroid for various reasons, such as formulation (IV, oral, liquid or pill) or drug availability. This may be required whether a patient is on a short "burst" dose or taking medication long-term.. Summary Different glucocorticoids or steroid medication exhibit a range of duration of effect and potency. Both factors ought to be considered when converting steroid medications. IV and oral administration dosing relationships only apply for this use case. Intra-muscular and intra-articular routes are not included due to significant differences in potency compared to IV and oral routes.Fludrocortisone is not included as it is used for its mineralocorticoid properties and not its glucocorticoid effects Rules for Corticosteroid Conversions:MedicationRouteEquivalent(Eq) Dose (mg)Duration of ActionBetamethasoneIV0.75Long (36-72 Hours)CortisonePO25Short (8-12 Hours)Dexamethasone (Decadron)IV or PO0.75Long (36-72 Hours)HydrocortisoneIV or PO20Short (8-12 Hours)MethylPrednisoLONE (Solu-Medrol)IV or PO4Medium (12-36 Hours)PrednisoLONEPO5Medium (12-36 Hours)PredniSONEPO5Medium (12-36 Hours)TriamcinoloneIV4Medium (12-36 Hours) Formula: Convert To Dosage (mg) = Convert From Dose (mg) / (Convert From Eq Dose (mg) / Convert To Eq Dose (mg)) .