approximate relative potencies of steroids used in palliative care

Last reviewed 01/2018

Approximate relative potencies:

Steroid Route of administration Equivalent anti-inflammatory dose
dexamethasone oral/subcutaneous/IV/IM 2mg
prednisolone oral/rectal 15mg
hydrocortisone oral/IM/IV/rectal 60mg

 

Reference:

  1. West Midlands Palliative Care Physicians (2007). Palliative care - guidelines for the use of drugs in symptom control.