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Equipotency and half-life of steroids commonly prescribed:
| Equivalent glucocorticoid dose in mg | Anti-inflammatory potency compared to hydrocortisone | Duration of action in hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone | 20 | 1 | 8–12 |
| Prednisone | 5 | 4 | 12–36 |
| Prednisolone | 5 | 4 | 12–36 |
| Dexamethasone | 0.75 | 30 | 36–54 |
| Betamethasone | 0.6 | 30 | 36–54 |
Adapted from Adrenal Cortical Steroids. In Drug Facts and Comparisons. 5th ed. St. Louis, Facts and Comparisons, Inc.:122–128, 1997
