Corticosteroid Comparison Chart

Potency relative to
Hydrocortisone

Half-Life

Equivalent
AntiMineral- Plasma
Glucocorticoid
Inflammatory Corticoid (minutes)
Dose (mg)
Short Acting
Hydrocortisone
(Cortef, Cortisol)
Cortisone Acetate
Intermediate Acting
Prednisone
Prednisolone
Triamcinolone
Methylprednisolone
Long Acting
Dexamethasone
Betamethasone
Mineralocorticoid
Fludrocortisone
Aldosterone

Duration
of
Action
(hours)

20

90

8-12

25

0.8

0.8

30

8-12

5
5
4
4

4
4
5
5

0.8
0.8
0
0.5

60
200
300
180

12-36
12-36
12-36
12-36

0.75
0.6

30
30

0
0

200
300

36-54
36-54

0
0

15
0

150
400 +

240
20

24-36
--

Reference: Adrenal Cortical Steroids. In Drug Facts and Comparisons. 5th ed. St. Louis, Facts and
Comparisons, Inc.:122-128, 1997

Commonly Prescribed Replacement Steroid Equivalents

Prednisone Cortisone Dexamethasone Hydrocortisone
5 mg
= 25 mg =
0.75 mg
=
20 mg