Home › Generic equivalents › Steroid dose equivalents
Medrol vs Predmet vs Omnacortil vs dexamethasone: steroid doses compared
Methylprednisolone, prednisolone and dexamethasone are related steroids, but a milligram of one is not a milligram of another. Use the converter to see how doses line up, then compare the brands we stock and what to know before a course.
Steroid dose converter
Approximate anti-inflammatory equivalents. For understanding a prescription, not for changing one.
Steroids also differ in how long they last and how much they affect salt and water. Your prescriber chooses the drug, not just the dose.
Equivalence
Steroid equivalents at a glance
These are the standard approximate equivalents used in prescribing references. They describe anti-inflammatory strength only.
| Steroid | Equivalent dose | How long it acts | Salt and water retention | Brands we stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone | 20 mg | Short (8–12 hours) | High | — |
| Prednisone | 5 mg | Intermediate (12–36 hours) | Moderate | Prednisone is converted to prednisolone in the liver |
| Prednisolone | 5 mg | Intermediate (12–36 hours) | Moderate | |
| Methylprednisolone | 4 mg | Intermediate (12–36 hours) | Low | |
| Dexamethasone | 0.75 mg | Long (36–72 hours) | Minimal |
Side by side
The steroid tablets we stock
| Brand | Active ingredient | Reference brand | Strengths | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medrol | Methylprednisolone | Medrol | 4 mg tablets are what a Medrol dose pack uses. | |
| Predmet | Methylprednisolone | Medrol | Same strengths as Medrol. | |
| Omnacortil | Prednisolone | Millipred, Orapred | The 2.5 and 5 mg tablets make gradual tapering easier. | |
| Decmax, Biodexone | Dexamethasone | Decadron | Long-acting and potent; 4 mg is roughly equal to 27 mg of prednisolone. |
Short courses
How a methylprednisolone dose pack works
A standard 6-day pack uses 21 tablets of 4 mg, stepping down by one tablet a day. Full worked example: Medrol dose pack prescription.
| Day | Tablets (4 mg) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 24 mg |
| 2 | 5 | 20 mg |
| 3 | 4 | 16 mg |
| 4 | 3 | 12 mg |
| 5 | 2 | 8 mg |
| 6 | 1 | 4 mg |
Follow the exact schedule on your prescription; some packs split day one across the day.
Safety
Taking steroid tablets safely
How to take them
- In the morning, with food
- At the same time each day
- Exactly as tapered; don’t stop early on a long course
Short-term effects
- Higher blood sugar, which matters if you have diabetes
- Trouble sleeping and mood changes
- Bigger appetite and indigestion
After about 3 weeks
- Your body makes less of its own cortisol, so you need a taper
- Carry a steroid card if you’re given one
- Long courses raise the risk of infections, bone thinning and cataracts
Ordering over $499? Save 10%
Use the code below at checkout for 10% off orders above $499, with free shipping included.
Steroid questions
How much prednisolone equals 4 mg of methylprednisolone?
About 5 mg. Methylprednisolone is roughly 25% stronger per milligram than prednisolone. Try other doses in the converter at the top of this page.
Is Predmet the same as Medrol?
Are prednisone and prednisolone the same?
Nearly. Prednisone is converted into prednisolone by the liver, and they’re used milligram for milligram. Prednisolone is preferred for people with significant liver disease.
Can I stop a steroid course early?
Short courses of a few days can usually be finished or stopped as prescribed. After about three weeks, stopping suddenly can cause adrenal insufficiency, so taper as directed.
Why take steroids in the morning?
Morning doses match the body’s natural cortisol rhythm and cause less sleep disruption.
Not sure which one matches your prescription?
Send us the medicine name and strength exactly as your prescriber wrote it, and we’ll tell you which brands we stock that match.
MyRxBox, California, USA. Follow us on X and Facebook. Terms, Refunds, Cancellations, Privacy.
This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace your doctor or pharmacist. Reference brand names are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify active ingredients. Last updated October 2026.
