Vetsulin Insulin

Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) is the first and only FDA-approved insulin available in the U.S. for treating diabetic dogs and cats. Vetsulin controls levels of glucose in the blood to help alleviate diabetic symptoms. It's used with U-40 insulin syringes (sold separately). Vetsulin requires a prescription from your veterinarian. Vetsulin Insulin requires refrigeration and must be kept at refrigerator temperatures at all times. To ensure proper temperature, it requires overnight shipping at an additional cost.

Dogs and Cats

• Controls your pets glucose levels and alleviates symptoms of diabetes.
• Improvement can usually be seen within a few days.
• First and only FDA-approved pet insulin available in the U.S.

Insulin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the pancreas. When the body does not produce enough insulin, or when the insulin produced is not effective, it results in diabetes mellitus. Vetsulin is an aqueous suspension of porcine (pork) insulin that controls hyperglycemia in pets with diabetes.

Insulin requires refrigeration. Overnight shipping is required and additional shipping charges are applicable. Rarely, allergic reactions can occur. Seek emergency veterinary medical attention if your pet experiences hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling lips, tongue, or face.

Vetsulin

Porcine Insulin Zinc Suspension

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 dog or cat: increased thirst, urination and appetite, weight loss, high levels of glucose in the urine, ketones in the urine, cloudy eyes and vision loss (diabetic cataracts). Vetsulin is not a cure for diabetes mellitus, it can control or eliminate many of the complications associated with the disease (such as excessive thirst, urination, and weight loss) and prevent development of life threatening ketoacidosis. Response varies from animal to animal but can be dramatic. In most cases improvement can be seen within a few days. In cats, treatment may lead to diabetes remission (insulin injections no longer required). If Vetsulin is discontinued or not given as directed, the signs of diabetes will likely return and life-threatening complications such as ketoacidosis may develop.

Vetsulin is a sterile aqueous zinc suspension of purified porcine insulin. 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. Vetsulin is Purified porcine (pork) insulin Zinc Suspension that is used to control hyperglycemia in dogs and cats with diabetes mellitus. Vetsulin is available by prescription as a 10 ml multi-dose vial containing 40 units (U) per mL of porcine insulin zinc suspension per ml and is given to dogs or cats by subcutaneous injection.

Do not give Vetsulin if your pet is allergic to pork or pork products. Before using Vetsulin, tell your veterinarian if your pet has any other medical conditions such as: vomiting and/or diarrhea, shows signs of extreme drowsiness or fatigue (lethargy), and/or shows signs of severe ketoacidosis. Tell your veterinarian if your pet takes any other prescription or over the counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements. Tell your veterinarian if your dog or cat has any liver or kidney disease; inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis), underactive (hypo) or over-active (hyper) thyroid, Cushing's disease or if your dog or cat is pregnant, nursing, or if you plan to breed your dog or cat.

Vetsulin should be given according to your veterinarian's instructions. Vetsulin is given using a U-40 syringe only. Use of a syringe other than a U-40 syringe will result in incorrect dosing. Vetsulin should not be shaken. Just prior to use, the vial should be mixed by rolling the vial between the palms of your hands 10 times. Do not reuse a syringe. Dispose of all syringes in an appropriate puncture-resistant disposal container. Vetsulin should be stored in an upright position under refrigeration (36º-46º F). Do not freeze. Protect from light. Keep this medication out of the reach of children and pets.

Follow your veterinarian's directions if you miss giving a dose of Vetsulin. To prevent missed doses, be sure to always have enough Vetsulin on hand.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you inject more than the prescribed amount of Vetsulin.

Vetsulin should be given to dogs and cats only. Vetsulin should not be administered to humans. Call a physician immediately if you accidentally inject yourself with Vetsulin. Do not give a dose of Vetsulin to a pet 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, and strenuous exercise.

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; lethargy, staggering gait, seizure or coma. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet has a medical problem or side effect from Vetsulin therapy. Other side effects may occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to your pet.

Vetsulin 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. Progestogen (such as megestrol) and glucocorticoids (such as cortisone, prednisone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone) should be avoided during Vetsulin therapy. Progestogen, glucocorticoids, and certain endocrine diseases may counter the effect of insulin. 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 Vetsulin.

Your pharmacist has additional information about Vetsulin written for health professionals that you can read.