What is ProZinc Insulin?
ProZinc is insulin combined with zinc and protamine, which prolongs the release of insulin in your pet's body. ProZinc requires a prescription from your veterinarian. U-40 syringes sold separately. ProZinc Insulin requires refrigeration and should always be stored at refrigerator temperature. To ensure proper temperature, overnight shipping is required for an additional fee.
For:
Dogs and cats
Advantages:
- Helps control blood sugar levels and relieve symptoms of diabetes.
- It is the first and only FDA-approved feline insulin made from recombinant DNA (DNA molecules made from the DNA of two unrelated organisms) that is identical to human insulin.
- Now approved by the FDA for use in dogs
- The ingredients in ProZinc (protamine zinc insulin) are classified as long-acting with a duration of action of 10-14 hours.
Here's how it works:
Insulin helps regulate cellular metabolism by moving the all-important glucose from the bloodstream into the cells. Cats and dogs with diabetes mellitus do not produce enough of their own natural insulin, or their own insulin does not work properly. This causes glucose to continually build up in the bloodstream, leading to health problems. PROZINC® insulin is becoming the essential replacement for diabetics to get their adequate source of daily insulin.
Carefully:
Syringes are sold separately. We recommend usingU-40-sprays. ProZinc is intended for use in dogs and cats only. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with the eyes. An accidental injection can cause hypoglycemia. In case of accidental injection, seek immediate medical attention. Exposure to the product may cause a local or systemic allergic reaction in hypersensitive individuals.Do not switch from one type of insulin to another unless directed by a veterinarian. When switching from one insulin to another, the dose may need to be adjusted.Do not give your cat/dog the prescribed dose of PROZINC® insulin if he is experiencing an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Common causes of low blood sugar include excessive doses of insulin, not eating, strenuous exercise, changes in the body's need for insulin, diabetes-causing diseases or drug effects, not eating or vomiting, being sensitive to protamine-zinc recombinant human insulin or other ingredients in PROZINC insulin and do not give your cat/dog the prescribed dose of PROZINC insulin if you see lumps or visible white particles in the vial after gentle rolling. SGLT2 inhibitors are sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, a class of drugs that work by preventing the reabsorption of glucose by SGLT2s in the kidneys and promoting the natural excretion of glucose through the urine. SGLT2s are contraindicated for use in cats previously or currently on insulin therapy and are not labeled for use in dogs. PROZINC is FDA-approved veterinary insulin made with recombinant technology approved for dogs and cats to reduce clinical symptoms. 1
Brand Name:
ProZink
Generic name:
recombinant humane insuline zinkprotamine
What is the most important information I need to know about ProZinc:
Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin. The low insulin levels can result in high blood sugar levels, which can cause the following changes in a pet; increased thirst, urination and appetite; weight loss; high glucose levels in the urine. ProZinc is not a medicine for diabetes mellitus; it can control blood glucose levels to help relieve clinical symptoms. Follow any diet or exercise plan established by your veterinarian. The safety and efficacy of PROZINC® insulin in breeding, pregnant and lactating cats and dogs has not been evaluated. The safety and efficacy of PROZINC in puppies and kittens have not been evaluated. PROZINC insulin has a shelf life of two years from the date of manufacture. Use the 10 ml vial within 60 days of the first puncture. Use the 20 ml vial within 80 days of the first puncture. The vial of PROZINC® insulin should be stored upright and in a refrigerator at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Do not freeze. Protect from light.
What is ProZinc:
PROZINC® is an FDA-approved injectable insulin for cats and dogs, indicated for the reduction of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar/high blood sugar) and the clinical signs associated with hyperglycemia in cats and dogs with diabetes mellitus. PROZINC® insulin is the only recombinant human insulin approved by the FDA for use in dogs and cats with diabetes. PROZINC insulin contains protamine and zinc in the formulation, which help promote optimal and consistent glycemic control. PROZINC® insulin is designed for use with a U-40 syringe, and use of non-U-40 syringes may result in incorrect dosing.
What should I discuss with my vet before giving ProZinc:
Do not give ProZinc to pets that are sensitive to protamine-zinc recombinant human insulin or other ingredients in the ProZinc product. Do not give ProZinc during episodes of hypoglycemia. Before using ProZinc, tell your veterinarian if your pet has any other medical conditions or allergies, or if your pet is taking other prescription or over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies. Tell your veterinarian if your pet is pregnant, nursing, or if you plan to breed your pet.
How to administer this medicine:
Do not switch from one type of insulin to another unless directed by a veterinarian. When switching from one insulin to another, the dose may need to be adjusted.ProZinc should be administered according to your veterinarian's instructions. ProZinc is only administered with a U-40 syringe. Using any syringe other than a U-40 syringe will result in incorrect dosing. ProZinc should not be shaken. Mix the vial just before use by rolling the vial between your palms. Do not reuse a syringe. Dispose of all syringes in an appropriate, puncture-resistant waste container. ProZinc dosing regimens will vary by patient. The recommended starting dose for cats is 0.1 to 0.3 units per dose kg body weight every 12 hours. The recommended starting dose for dogs is 0.2 to 0.5 units per pound of body weight dose once daily. This dose should be adjusted based on changes in blood glucose levels and resolution of clinical symptoms. Additional adjustments may be necessary with changes in the pet's diet, body weight, or other medications, or if the pet develops an infection, inflammation, neoplasia, or concomitant endocrine or other medical condition. Store ProZinc upright in the refrigerator between 36°-46° F. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
What happens if I miss a dose:
If you miss a dose of ProZinc, contact and follow your veterinarian's instructions. If you are unable to contact your veterinarian and your pet is eating and behaving normally, give your pet the usual dose at the next scheduled time. To avoid missed doses, make sure you always have enough ProZinc on hand.
What happens if I overdose the pet:
Contact your vet immediately and if your vet is unavailable, find another vet immediately.
What should I avoid when giving ProZinc:
ProZinc should only be given to dogs and cats. ProZinc should not be administered to humans. Call a doctor immediately if you accidentally inject yourself with ProZinc. Do not give a dose of ProZinc to a pet experiencing an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Common causes of hypoglycemia include excessive doses of insulin, not eating, unintentional doubling of insulin dose, strenuous exercise, correction of obesity or diabetes causing diseases, drug effects. Do not give a dose of PROZINC if the pet has not eaten or is vomiting. Before using PROZINC® insulin, consult your veterinarian to determine your pet's dosage needs. According to the package insert, it is recommended to start PROZINC insulin for dogs with a starting dose of 0.2-0.5 IU insulin/pound of body weight (0.5-1.0 IU/kg) per day. The recommended starting dose for naive dogs with diabetes is at the lower end of the dose range. For cats, it is recommended to administer PROZINC insulin twice daily with a recommended starting dose of 0.1 – 0.3 IU insulin/pound of body weight (0.2 – 0.7 IU/kg). Before using PROZINC insulin, consult your veterinarian to determine your pet's dosage needs. Avoid contact with the eyes. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with running water for at least 15 minutes. An accidental injection can cause hypoglycemia. In case of accidental injection, seek immediate medical attention. Exposure to the product may cause a local or systemic allergic reaction in hypersensitive individuals.
What are the possible side effects of ProZinc:
PROZINC® (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin) has been extensively tested for safety in cats and dogs and is approved by the FDA as safe and effective for diabetes control (when used as directed). As with the use of all insulin products for dogs and cats, careful monitoring of the patient for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is essential to prevent possible associated complications. The most common insulin-related side effect is hypoglycemia. Signs of low blood sugar may occur suddenly and may include weakness, unsteady gait, muscle twitching, coma, depression, lethargy, sluggishness, behavioral changes, seizures, convulsions and death.
What other medicines will affect ProZinc:
PROZINC® insulin can be given with other medications, but the dose may need to be adjusted as the medication results in an increased or decreased insulin requirement. Tell your veterinarian about all medications you have given to your pet in the past and any medications you plan to administer with PROZINC insulin. This also includes medications that you can get for your pet without a prescription. Your vet may want to make sure that all of your pet's medications can be given together.
Where can I get more information:
Consult your veterinarian for general questions. For specific product questions, please refer to the prescribing information or call Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Customer Service at 1-888-637-4251. Your pharmacy has additional information about ProZinc, written for healthcare professionals, that you can read. PROZINC® insulin is available in 20 ml and 10 ml multidose vials. Each ml of PROZINC insulin product contains 40 IU (international units) of protamine-zinc recombinant human insulin.
