Corticosteroid Tapering Schedule Generator
Generate a printable day-by-day steroid tapering schedule for prednisolone, methylprednisolone, deflazacort, or dexamethasone. Used for asthma, COPD, allergies, autoimmune conditions, and post-surgery.
Tapering Schedule
Patient Instructions — Prednisolone / Wysolone 5 mg
| Day | Daily Dose | Take |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–3 | 40 mg | 8 tab |
| Day 4–6 | 35 mg | 7 tab |
| Day 7–9 | 30 mg | 6 tab |
| Day 10–12 | 25 mg | 5 tab |
| Day 13–15 | 20 mg | 4 tab |
| Day 16–18 | 15 mg | 3 tab |
| Day 19–21 | 10 mg | 2 tab |
| Day 22–24 | 5 mg | 1 tab |
| Day 25+ | 0 mg | STOP — taper complete |
No more confusing handwritten taper schedules
EasyClinic auto-generates the taper, prints it as a clear table on your prescription pad, AND auto-sends a WhatsApp reminder to the patient every time the dose changes. Patients adhere — and remember which doctor cared enough to send the reminder.
Also Known As
When to Taper Corticosteroids
Tapering is required when: oral steroids have been used for >14 days, doses >20 mg/day prednisolone equivalent for >3 weeks, repeated short courses (multiple bursts), or any clinical indication of HPA-axis suppression. Abrupt cessation can cause adrenal crisis — fatigue, hypotension, hypoglycemia, shock.
For courses <7 days at any dose (e.g., asthma exacerbation), abrupt cessation is usually safe. The 'burst' regimens (e.g., prednisolone 40 mg × 5 days then stop) are well-validated.
Common Steroid Equivalencies
| Drug | Equivalent Dose | Half-life |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone | 20 mg | 8-12 h |
| Prednisolone (Wysolone) | 5 mg | 12-36 h |
| Methylprednisolone (Medrol) | 4 mg | 12-36 h |
| Deflazacort (Defcort) | 7.5 mg | 12-36 h |
| Dexamethasone | 0.75 mg | 36-54 h |
| Triamcinolone | 4 mg | 12-36 h |
Frequently Asked Questions
▸How fast can I taper steroids?
Typical taper: reduce by 5 mg every 3-7 days for prednisolone doses ≥20 mg, then by 2.5 mg every 5-7 days below 20 mg, then by 1 mg below 5 mg for longer courses.
▸Do I need to taper a 5-day prednisolone burst for asthma?
No — courses ≤7 days at any dose can be stopped abruptly. HPA axis recovers quickly. This is the standard for acute asthma/COPD exacerbations.
▸What are signs of adrenal insufficiency during taper?
Fatigue, weakness, nausea, dizziness, hypotension, hypoglycemia, salt craving. If severe, give hydrocortisone 100 mg IV and saline.
▸Can I switch from prednisolone to deflazacort mid-taper?
Yes, using equivalent doses (5 mg pred = 7.5 mg defla). Useful if patient develops Cushingoid features — deflazacort has fewer mineralocorticoid effects.
▸Should I take steroids in the morning?
Yes — morning dose mimics natural cortisol rhythm and minimizes HPA suppression. Always take with food to reduce GI side effects.
References
- NICE CKS — Corticosteroids: oral. Recommendations on tapering
- Hodgens A, Sharman T. Corticosteroids. StatPearls (2024)
- Indian Chest Society Guidelines on Asthma and COPD Management
Send tapering schedules to patients via WhatsApp automatically
EasyClinic generates the steroid taper, prints it on your prescription, AND sends a WhatsApp reminder to the patient on each step-down day. No confusion. No missed doses.