Table 1.

Pharmacological properties of cortisol and synthetic glucocorticoids

	Biological Half-life	Mineralocorticoid Potency	Glucocorticoid Potency	Recommended Daily Dose (range)	Cortisol Equivalent	Cushing Threshold
Cortisol (known as hydrocortisone when used therapeutically)	8–12 h	1	1	(hydrocortisone: 20–30 mg)	1	30
Cortisone	8–12 h	0.8	0.8	–	1.25	40
Prednisone	12–36 h	0.6	4	5–60 mg	0.25	7.5
Methylprednisolone	12–36 h	–	5	500–1000 mg	0.2	6
Dexamethasone	> 48 h	–	30	2–24 mg	0.04	1.5
Budesonide	n.a.	n.a.	> 30	400–1600 mg	n.a.	n.a.