This content has been updated and merged into our The Condition guide. Please use that page for current, consistent information. The text below is kept for reference; if anything differs, The Condition page and your endocrinologist’s advice take precedence.
Source and scope: Short English summary of our Turkish page, rewritten from our earlier articles “What is a steroid (cortisone)?” and “Comparing cortisone types”. Full version: Steroid (Kortizon) İlaçları (TR).
“Steroid” or “cortisone” medicines are man-made versions of adrenal hormones. They are used in two very different ways: replacement in adrenal insufficiency (physiological doses, replacing what the body cannot make — essential for life) and high-dose treatment for inflammatory or immune diseases (asthma, rheumatic disease, etc.).
Side effects such as weight gain, high blood sugar, bone loss, high blood pressure, infections and mood changes are mainly a problem with long-term high doses. Long-term high-dose use can also suppress your own adrenal glands, so these medicines must never be stopped suddenly.
| Medicine | Approximate equivalent glucocorticoid strength* |
|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone | 20 mg |
| Cortisone acetate | 25 mg |
| Prednisolone / prednisone | 5 mg |
| Methylprednisolone | 4 mg |
| Dexamethasone | 0.75 mg |
| Fludrocortisone | Used for its salt-retaining (mineralocorticoid) effect, not for glucocorticoid equivalence |
*Textbook approximations only. Medicines differ in how long they act and in their salt-retaining effect. Never switch or adjust your steroid yourself — ask your endocrinologist.
Steroid dose converter: approximate equivalent in another steroid →
Medical disclaimer: The information on this site is prepared by a patient community for general information only. Always consult your own doctor (endocrinologist) about diagnosis, treatment or any dose change. In an emergency in Türkiye, call 112.