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ProZinc Cat Insulin
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Advantage Multi Rx,
Advantage Multi Rx,
Prescription Required

ProZinc Cat Insulin
See More from: ProZinc

Our Price: $116.62

SKU: prozinc-cat-insulin
Price: $116.62
Sale Price: $102.84 
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What is ProZinc Cat Insulin? ProZinc is insulin combined with zinc and protamine which helps to prolong the release of the insulin into your cat's body. ProZinc requires a prescription from your veterinarian. For: Cats Benefits:
  • Helps control blood glucose and alleviate symptoms of diabetes.
  • It is the first and only FDA-approved insulin for cats made from recombinant DNA (DNA molecules created from the DNA of two unrelated organisms) that is identical to human insulin.
  • The ingredients in ProZinc (protamine zinc insulin) are classified as long-acting with duration of effect for 10-14 hours.
How it works: Like other insulins, ProZinc controls blood glucose by stimulating carbohydrate metabolism in heart, bone and fat tissue, helping these cells to use glucose for energy. Cautions: For use in cats only. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. Accidental injection may cause hypoglycemia. In case of accidental injection, seek medical attention immediately. Exposure to product may induce a local or systematic allergic reaction in sensitized individuals. Do not switch from one type insulin to another unless under the directions of a veterinarian. Changing from one insulin to another may require an adjustment in the dose. ProZinc Video How to Give Your Cat an Insulin Injection Featuring ProZinc Insulin More Information: Brand Name ProZinc Generic Name protamine zinc recombinant human insulin What is the most important information I should know about ProZinc: Diabetes mellitus is a disease where the body produces insufficient insulin. The low insulin levels may result in high blood glucose that could produce the following changes in a cat; increased thirst, urination and appetite; weight loss; high levels of glucose in the urine. ProZinc is not a cure for diabetes mellitus, it can control the levels of glucose in the blood to help alleviate the clinical signs. Follow any diet or exercise plan developed by your Veterinarian. What is ProZinc: Insulin is a hormone naturally produced by the pancreas. Insulin enables the body to use the sugar in food as a source of energy. When the body does not produce enough insulin, or when the insulin produced by the body is not effective enough, this condition is called diabetes mellitus. This condition allows sugar levels in the body to become very high. ProZinc is a protamine zinc insulin, a type of long-acting insulin derived from recombinant human insulin used to reduce hyperglycemia (high blood glucose or sugar) in cats with diabetes mellitus. A licensed veterinarian must prescribe ProZinc insulin for your cat. ProZinc insulin should be given to cats only. Seek medical attention immediately if you accidentally inject yourself with ProZinc insulin. ProZinc is available by prescription as a sterile injectable suspension in 10 ml multidose vials. Each ml of ProZinc product contains 40 International Units (U) of recombinant human insulin and is given to cats by subcutaneous injection. What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving ProZinc: Do not give ProZinc to cats sensitive to Protamine zinc recombinant human insulin or any other ingredients in the ProZinc product. Do not give ProZinc during episodes of hypoglycemia. Before using ProZinc, tell your veterinarian if your cat has any other medical conditions or allergies, or if your cat takes any other prescription or over the counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements. Tell your veterinarian if your cat is pregnant, nursing, or if you plan to breed your cat. How should this medication be given: Do not switch from one type insulin to another unless under the directions of a veterinarian. Changing from one insulin to another may require an adjustment in the dose. ProZinc should be given according to your veterinarian's instructions. ProZinc is given using a U-40 syringe only. Use of a syringe other than a U-40 syringe will result in incorrect dosing. ProZinc should not be shaken. Just prior to use, the vial should be mixed by rolling the vial between the palms of your hands. Do not reuse a syringe. Dispose of all syringes in an appropriate puncture-resistant disposal container. Dosage regimens of ProZinc will vary among patients. The recommended starting dose is 0.1 to 0.3 units per lb of body weight every 12 hours. This dose should be adjusted based on changes in blood glucose levels and resolution of clinical signs. Further adjustments may be necessary with changes in the cat's diet, body weight or other medications, or if the cat develops an infection, inflammation, neoplasia or an additional endocrine or other medical disorder. Store ProZinc in an upright position, in the refrigerator, between 36º-46º F. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Keep this medication out of the reach of children and pets. What happens if I miss giving a dose: Contact and follow your veterinarian¿s directions if you miss giving a dose of ProZinc. If you cannot contact your veterinarian and your cat is eating and acting normally, give your cat the usual dose at the next regularly scheduled time. To prevent missed doses, be sure to always have enough ProZinc on hand. What happens if I overdose the pet: Contact your veterinarian immediately if you inject more than the prescribed amount of ProZinc. Signs of hypoglycemia that may occur include; weakness; depression, lethargy, sluggishness; staggering gait; behavioral changes; muscle twitching; seizures; coma; death. What should I avoid while giving ProZinc: ProZinc should be given to cats only. ProZinc should not be administered to humans. Call a physician immediately if you accidentally inject yourself with ProZinc. Do not give a dose of ProZinc to a cat experiencing an episode of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Common causes for hypoglycemia include excessive doses of insulin, failure to eat, accidental doubling of insulin dose, strenuous exercise, correction of obesity or diabetes-inducing disease, drug effects. Do not give a dose of PROZINC if the cat has not eaten or is vomiting. What are the possible side effects of ProZinc: Rarely, allergic reactions to insulin can occur. Seek emergency veterinary medical attention if an allergic reaction is experienced (difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives). Other serious side effects can occur with or without warning. The most common insulin-related side effect is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) with symptoms that include; weakness; depression, lethargy, sluggishness; staggering gait; behavioral changes; muscle twitching; seizures; coma; death. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat has a medical problem or side effect from ProZinc therapy. Other side effects may occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to the cat. What other drugs will affect ProZinc: ProZinc can be given with other medications, but the dose may need to be adjusted due to the medication resulting in either increased or decreased insulin requirements. Do not give any other prescription or over the counter medications, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products, without first talking to your veterinarian or pharmacist during treatment with ProZinc. Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional information about ProZinc written for health professionals that you can read. What is diabetes mellitus? Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces and thus cannot regulate glucose in the body. When the body cannot produce enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels regulated, this is referred to as Type I diabetes, and is most commonly seen in dogs. When the body cannot respond to the insulin in the bloodstream, this is considered a relative insulin deficiency. This is called Type II diabetes, and is the most common form seen in cats. Initially, the most common symptoms or signs of diabetes mellitus are increased thirst, urination and appetite. Is there a cure for diabetes mellitus? Unfortunately, no; once diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, a cat will always be considered diabetic. However, most cats’ symptoms or signs can be well controlled with insulin injections, diet, and in some cases, weight loss. In fact, a small percentage of cats’ diabetes may go into remission, which means they no longer exhibit the clinical symptoms or signs (increased thirst, urination and appetite), and they no longer require insulin injections. However, these patients should still be considered diabetic, as remission is not always permanent and the symptoms or signs of diabetes may return in the future. How do I know if there are problems with my cat’s glucose levels? Often if a cat’s blood glucose is persistently elevated, the symptoms or signs associated with hyperglycemia will return (increased thirst, urination and appetite). If your cat’s glucose level drops too low, your cat may exhibit symptoms or signs of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) such as lethargy, sluggishness, trembling and seizures. This is an emergency situation and requires immediate veterinary intervention. What are typical symptoms or signs of diabetes mellitus? The clinical symptoms or signs most often seen with diabetes mellitus are due to persistently high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Most often owners will notice increased thirst, urination and appetite. What is ProZinc™ (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin)? PROZINC is a sterile aqueous protamine zinc suspension of recombinant human insulin indicated for the reduction of hyperglycemia and hyperglycemia associated clinical symptoms or signs in cats with diabetes mellitus.1 It is the first FDA-approved protamine zinc insulin for cats. How does PROZINC work? PROZINC, like other insulins, controls blood glucose by stimulating carbohydrate metabolism in heart, bone and fat tissue, helping these cells to use glucose for energy.2 How is PROZINC different from other insulin products? PROZINC is the first and only FDA-approved protamine zinc insulin for cats containing human recombinant insulin. Protamine zinc insulin formulations are classified as long-acting with a typical duration of effect in the cat of 10-14 hours. How do I use PROZINC? PROZINC should be mixed by gently rolling the vial prior to withdrawing each dose from the vial. Using a U-40 syringe, the injection should be administered subcutaneously along the back of the neck or on the side of the cat.1 NOTE: It is important that you roll the vial and not shake it. Shaking the vial may reduce the effect of the insulin by breaking the insulin molecules apart. How is PROZINC supplied? PROZINC is supplied as a sterile injectable suspension in 10-ml multidose vials. Each ml of PROZINC product contains 40 IU (International Units) of recombinant human insulin. How do I store PROZINC? Store in an upright position under refrigeration at 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Protect from light. How long can a PROZINC vial be used after it is opened? Although product literature or labels for other insulin products advocate replacing insulin vials every month, there are no special requirements to periodically replace PROZINC once the bottle has been punctured under normal use conditions. PROZINC is a suspension and once mixed has a whitish cloudy appearance. Of course, if discoloration or other abnormal appearances are observed, indicating contamination within the vial, it should be discarded. Loss of insulin activity in the bottle should always be considered whenever clinical symptoms or signs recur, regardless of the amount of insulin in the bottle. What is the expiration date of a vial of PROZINC? PROZINC carries a two-year shelf life from the date of manufacture. Why is it important to use U-40 syringes with PROZINC? Use of a syringe other than U-40 syringe may result in incorrect dosing. Who should I call if I have questions about PROZINC? Cat owners should first direct their questions to their regular veterinarian. Veterinarians and veterinary professionals are encouraged to call Boehringer Ingelheim Technical Support at 1-866-638-2226 1-866-638-2226 for product inquiries. To report a suspected adverse reaction to PROZINC, please call 1-866-638-2226 1-866-638-2226 . What are the possible side effects of PROZINC? The most common side effect associated with the use of PROZINC observed during the field study was hypoglycemia (defined as a blood glucose value of < 50 mg/dL). Most of these cases were not reported as adverse reactions because there were no clinical signs of hypoglycemia.6 The clinical signs observed were typically mild in nature and were described as lethargic, sluggish, weak, trembling, uncoordinated, groggy, glassy-eyed or dazed. Most cases were not associated with clinical signs and received no treatment.6 It is the clinical signs listed above that veterinarians and staff members should teach their clients to watch for at home while a cat is under insulin therapy. Reacting to early signs of clinical symptoms will decrease the risk of a more serious side effect. The cat owner Information Sheet should be provided with each prescription. Hypoglycemia is the most common side effect seen with almost any insulin. In the PROZINC field studies, 71/176 cats enrolled experienced hypoglycemia. The following additional clinical observations were reported in the PROZINC field study: vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea or loose stool, cystitis/hematuria, dry coat, hair loss, upper respiratory infection, ocular discharge, abnormal vocalization, black stools, and rapid breathing.1 Is it possible to use PROZINC once a day? Historically, protamine zinc insulins were administered once daily to diabetic cats, a protocol based more on clinical perceptions of response to treatment than on results of absorption of kinetic studies. Studies show that absorption of protamine zinc insulins in cats can be quite variable. In the field studies, mean time of the blood glucose nadir was between 5 and 7 hours, and subsequent blood glucose concentrations were increasing in most cats by 9 hours after administration of PROZINC. These results suggest that PROZINC should be administered twice daily in most diabetic cats to maintain glycemic control. How long will it take to regulate my cat on PROZINC? Every cat is an individual, and therefore each cat will respond differently to the same insulin. However, based on the results of an effectiveness field study, 76% of the cats enrolled in the study were considered a treatment success by 45 days. How do I give my cat a PROZINC injection? Using a U-40 insulin syringe, the injection should be administered subcutaneously on the back of the neck or on the side of the cat. When should I give my cat the PROZINC injection? Generally, PROZINC should be given twice daily with food. Should I feed a special diet? Your veterinarian is the best person to determine the treatment protocol for your diabetic cat. In light of this, obesity is common in diabetic cats and results from excessive caloric intake. Obesity causes reversible insulin resistance, which resolves as weight is lost. Glycemic control often improves and some diabetic cats may revert to a subclinical diabetic state (remission) after weight reduction. Research also suggests that diabetic cats may be predisposed to developing higher postprandial (occurring after a meal) blood glucose concentrations after consumption of diets with a high carbohydrate load. Feeding diets lower in carbohydrates and higher in protein/fiber is currently recommended in the literature4 and may have an underestimated role in the development of diabetic remission. What should I do if my cat has low blood glucose? If you suspect your cat has low blood glucose (sugar), don’t panic. You can help your cat by following these steps.
  • If your cat isn’t conscious, rub a tablespoon of corn syrup or honey on your cat’s gums and contact your veterinarian immediately.
  • If your cat remains unconscious or is having a seizure, veterinary care is required. Take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
  • If your cat is conscious, or when your cat regains consciousness and is able to swallow, hand feed corn syrup or honey until your cat is alert enough to eat normal food.
  • As soon as your cat is alert enough to eat, feed the next scheduled meal instead of waiting for mealtime, and call your veterinarian for advice.
Can I use U-100 syringes? It is important that you use a U-40 syringe with PROZINC. If the proper mathematical conversion is made, U-100 syringes may be used, but the risk of administering the wrong dose increases dramatically. We recommend consulting with your attending veterinarian before attempting to dose PROZINC with any syringe other than a U-40. Where can I get syringes? Please discuss this with your regular veterinarian. Can I use PROZINC in a diabetic dog? No. To date, PROZINC has not been studied in the dog. What should I do if my cat is accidentally overdosed? The cat should be closely monitored for symptoms or signs of hypoglycemia. If symptoms or signs are present, the patient should be administered oral glucose and taken to a veterinarian immediately for continued care. Advice on when to restart insulin injections can only be given by the attending veterinarian. How should I dispose of syringes? Syringes should be used once, and then disposed of in a puncture-resistant, leak-proof container. Special containers, often called “sharps” containers, can be purchased at human pharmacies specifically for this purpose. Boehringer Ingelheim has a PROZINC Diabetes Care Kit that includes a supply of U-40 insulin syringes together with a sharps container. Please consult your attending veterinarian with any questions. What are the contraindications associated with PROZINC? PROZINC is contraindicated in cats sensitive to protamine zinc recombinant human insulin or any other ingredients in the PROZINC product. PROZINC is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia. What happens if I accidentally inject myself with PROZINC? Please contact your physician/health care provider immediately.

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