Figure 1.
Log dose–response plot for 08.00 h plasma cortisol suppression to show dose-ratios for relative potency. Doses of oral prednisolone (Pred) were 5 mg day−1, 10 mg day−1 and 20 mg day−1. Doses of inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) were 0.44 mg day−1, 0.88 mg day−1 and 1.76 mg day−1. Parallel fitted slope analysis was used to calculate the equivalent dose of prednisolone causing the same degree of suppression as compared with 1 mg fluticasone. The relative dose ratio for Pred. vs FP was calculated at 8.5:1 mg (95% CI 5.7–11.2).