8/16 Pabay
- Thread starter Pabs&Ro
- Start date
You might want to edit your subject line to add something like, "Lantus cost in UK?" Would it be possible to call a local pharmacy?
@Elizabeth and Bertie - do you happen to know the cost?
@Elizabeth and Bertie - do you happen to know the cost?
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Hello,
You'll first need a prescription from your vet, and that typically costs about £15 (anywhere between £12 and £18). And it will need to specify exactly what you want, whether that is a 10ml vial or 5 x Lantus Solostar pens. Some folks have asked a pharmacist directly what the prescription needs to say, and then relay that info to their vet.
Costs do vary depending on the pharmacy. But Lantus vials seem to cost around £45. The pens cost a little more (someone recently got theirs for £53 from Tesco pharmacy), but they last longer and so work out cheaper.
Eliz
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Oh, just saw that you were on Prozinc but put onto Caninsulin because of the UK supply issues..?
Supply of Prozinc has now apparently been restored. This is from the Boehringer UK website:
"ProZinc 40 IU/ml suspension for injection for cats and dogs
Normal supply has been restored – vets can place orders via their usual process (updated 11 August 2020)"
Supply of Prozinc has now apparently been restored. This is from the Boehringer UK website:
"ProZinc 40 IU/ml suspension for injection for cats and dogs
Normal supply has been restored – vets can place orders via their usual process (updated 11 August 2020)"
Pabs&Ro
Member Since 2020
Eliz
That is very helpful thanks. I am using the caninsulin cartridges as a vial at the moment so I always have fresh insulin every two weeks. I would do the same with Lantus. In that event I need a new needle. I use U40 at the moment but Lantus is U100 but it is too dangerous to use a U100 needle for small doses for a cat. What needles do you use and where do you source them please?
That is very helpful thanks. I am using the caninsulin cartridges as a vial at the moment so I always have fresh insulin every two weeks. I would do the same with Lantus. In that event I need a new needle. I use U40 at the moment but Lantus is U100 but it is too dangerous to use a U100 needle for small doses for a cat. What needles do you use and where do you source them please?
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
I contacted Viovet and they said the laws had changed and that they now needed to source Prozinc from the US. This new source of supply has needed to be established. ...I suspect this 'may' be something to do with Brexit and that this means we may no longer be able to source from Europe now that the transition period is coming to an end.
Most UK folks who use U100 syringes use the BD 0.3ml '+demi' syringes. These are easily available and have half-unit markings.
If you are using a tiny weeny dose though then do keep an eye on the markings on the syringe barrels, and where the markings actually start on the syringe, sometimes this has been found to vary a tad. This is often the case with syringes made for humans; they're not designed for the small doses of insulin that kitties get.
Here's one place that you can get them from (and I think this may be the cheapest at the moment):
http://www.alldaypharmacy.co.uk/pro...3ml-Syringe-0.3mm-(30G)-x-8mm-Box-of-100.html
Eliz
Elizabeth and Bertie
Member Since 2010
Oh, @Pads&Ro (Are you Ro? I'm guessing so..but don't want to presume too much... 
)
A few afterthoughts...
You may find some helpful general info in the links in my signature (at the bottom of this post).
The first link is to a list of low carb foods in the UK. We recommend that kitties eat foods that are less than 10% of calories from carbs. But if your kitty is currently on a higher carb diet then it is super important that you learn to test blood glucose at home before lowering the carb content of the diet. Lowering carb content of the diet can reduce blood glucose considerably in some kitties, and the insulin dose may need to be reduced accordingly so as to avoid hypo. Hypo can kill...
The second link is to a compilation of info for UK newcomers to feline diabetes (although I know that you are not 'new' to diabetes, just new to this forum).
And regarding switching to lantus from Caninsulin (or Prozinc). There are differences in these insulins which you'll need to be aware of. So do read the info stickies at the top of the lantus/lev subforum. (Get a cuppa and get comfortable first...
)
Key differences include things like how the insulins actually work.
Caninsulin is an 'in and out' insulin and is invariably gone from the system well within 12 hours (often much less); Prozinc can have a slightly longer duration. Lantus is a 'depot' insulin. This means that when you inject it some of that is used in that same insulin cycle, but some is stored under the skin (the 'depot', also known as the 'shed') and is released slowly over time. It can take a number of days for the 'depot' to build to its optimal level for any given dose, so you won't see the full effect of any dose until the input/output of the depot has become established.
If you draw too much insulin into the syringe you can't put that back into the vial when you're using lantus as you might do if using Prozinc or Caninsulin. So, you'll need to eject any excess onto kitchen paper, or into the sink, or dramatically into the air, haha!
Lantus requires greater consistency with regard to the timing of the insulin shots, and the dosage itself. Prozinc and Caninsuln are more 'flexible' in this regard, but with depot insulins you always have to consider the effect on the insulin 'depot'.
Eliz
)A few afterthoughts...
You may find some helpful general info in the links in my signature (at the bottom of this post).
The first link is to a list of low carb foods in the UK. We recommend that kitties eat foods that are less than 10% of calories from carbs. But if your kitty is currently on a higher carb diet then it is super important that you learn to test blood glucose at home before lowering the carb content of the diet. Lowering carb content of the diet can reduce blood glucose considerably in some kitties, and the insulin dose may need to be reduced accordingly so as to avoid hypo. Hypo can kill...
The second link is to a compilation of info for UK newcomers to feline diabetes (although I know that you are not 'new' to diabetes, just new to this forum).
And regarding switching to lantus from Caninsulin (or Prozinc). There are differences in these insulins which you'll need to be aware of. So do read the info stickies at the top of the lantus/lev subforum. (Get a cuppa and get comfortable first...
)Key differences include things like how the insulins actually work.
Caninsulin is an 'in and out' insulin and is invariably gone from the system well within 12 hours (often much less); Prozinc can have a slightly longer duration. Lantus is a 'depot' insulin. This means that when you inject it some of that is used in that same insulin cycle, but some is stored under the skin (the 'depot', also known as the 'shed') and is released slowly over time. It can take a number of days for the 'depot' to build to its optimal level for any given dose, so you won't see the full effect of any dose until the input/output of the depot has become established.
If you draw too much insulin into the syringe you can't put that back into the vial when you're using lantus as you might do if using Prozinc or Caninsulin. So, you'll need to eject any excess onto kitchen paper, or into the sink, or dramatically into the air, haha!
Lantus requires greater consistency with regard to the timing of the insulin shots, and the dosage itself. Prozinc and Caninsuln are more 'flexible' in this regard, but with depot insulins you always have to consider the effect on the insulin 'depot'.
Eliz
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