Adrenal Insufficiency Stress Dosing Calculator
Hydrocortisone stress dose from procedure severity.
Medical Disclaimer
This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of results from this tool.
Inputs
Results
Stress Dose (mg/day)
40
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the patient's Maintenance Dose (mg/day) of hydrocortisone or equivalent.
- Select Stress Level (1 = minor illness, 2 = moderate surgery, 3 = major surgery/ICU).
- Enter Duration (days) for the stress dosing period.
- Review Stress Dose (mg/day), IV Bolus (mg), and dose every 8 hours.
- Taper back to the maintenance dose over 1-3 days once the stressor resolves.
How the result changes with Maintenance Dose (mg/day)
| Maintenance Dose (mg/day) | Stress Dose (mg/day) |
|---|---|
| 11 | 22 |
| 24 | 48 |
| 41 | 82 |
| 55 | 110 |
What each input means
- Maintenance Dose (mg/day)
- Current daily hydrocortisone maintenance dose in mg. Typical: 15–25 mg/day.
- Stress Level (1–3)
- 1 = Minor (dental, mild illness). 2 = Moderate (moderate surgery, pneumonia). 3 = Major (major surgery, sepsis, trauma).
- Duration (days)
- Expected duration of physiological stress in days before taper to maintenance.
What each result means
- Stress Dose (mg/day)
- Total hydrocortisone dose per day during the stress period.
- IV Bolus (mg)
- Initial IV hydrocortisone bolus dose (moderate/major stress only).
- Dose q8h (mg)
- Hydrocortisone dose given every 8 hours.
- Day-1 Total (mg)
- Total hydrocortisone on first day including IV bolus.
- Total Over Period (mg)
- Cumulative hydrocortisone over the entire stress dosing period.
- Prednisone Equivalent (mg/day)
- Daily stress dose expressed as prednisone equivalent (HC ÷ 4).
- Dexamethasone Equivalent (mg/day)
- Daily stress dose expressed as dexamethasone equivalent (HC ÷ 26.67).
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input ParametersMaintenance Dose (mg/day) = 20, Stress Level (1–3) = 1, Duration (days) = 2 = 3 input(s) provided
- Calculate Stress DoseStress Dose40 = 40
- Calculate IV BolusIV Bolus0 = 0
- Calculate Dose q8hDose q8h13 = 13
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