Buprenorphine, Stevia, dextrose, and diabetes?

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Justin & Sebastian

Member Since 2019
I started Sebastian on an oral compound of Buprenorphine to help manage any pain from his pancreatitis. I saw on the p'titis primer thread to make sure it's not compounded with sugar or other sweeteners. I called the lab to confirm and they said there's no sugar, they use Stevia. I did some quick research on Stevia and I see that it's actually supposed to help reduce blood glucose levels. Anyone got any input on the subject and can confirm or deny that and whether it's okay for him to take or if I need to get something else?

His BG numbers are kind of all over the place right now but I'm not necessarily seeing any consistent big spikes after I give him the dose.
 
The guy at the lab just called back and said he did a little more research and it also has dextrose in it which can affect BG. Any insight on that?
 
Also, stevia is not supposed to have many ill effects on humans, but I know for a fact that it makes me incredibly nauseated. I've extensively googled stevia, and nausea is almost never listed as a possible side-effect, but that is most definitely what it does to me (and I have an otherwise "cast-iron" stomach).
I know that humans are not cats, and vice-versa, but based on my personal experience, I would not give something containing stevia to anyone who couldn't verbalize that feeling.

My cat, Autumn, was just released from a 3 day emergency vet hospitalization for acute pancreatitis, and I am so paranoid about her nausea/vomiting returning. I'm sure that you live with that fear for Sebastian as well (pancreatitis is so, so scary!). I'm sure that bupe cost a lot; any chance you can get a refund or replacement?
 
dextrose is pure sugar so that could cause the blood glucose to be a lot higher
I'm just wondering what the volume is. We're only giving him .15ml twice a day so I have to imagine the amount of sugar is very small. Still, none is better than some, though I'm fully expecting the vet to tell me not to worry about it due to the small amount when I bring up the issue.

I'm sure that you live with that fear for Sebastian as well (pancreatitis is so, so scary!). I'm sure that bupe cost a lot; any chance you can get a refund or replacement?
We've already gone through 2 prolonged bouts of nausea since his p'titis diagnosis. We tried both Cerenia and Odanstetron and neither had any effect. He had already stopped this latest bout before we started the bupe, so I haven't really noticed any effect one way or the other. The bupe actually wasn't that much relatively speaking, only $35 for the bottle.

I'm going to contact my vet today and see what we can do about getting a new script that is sweetener free. Judging by the fact that they know he's diabetic and didn't already request that, I'm expecting some resistance.
 
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