OKAY kids, time for a primer on BCP PZI, Prozinc, and the differences between each. Thank you for posing the question, because most of this stuff, I had no idea about. This is good information to know, y'all! I love this site - it keeps my brain exercised on a daily basis!
BCP PZI can be either U40 or U100, so she needs to be careful if that is what she buys. Mine was U40, and until this case, I had never heard of it being available as a U100. AND, as stated below, it is also available as a U50??? Never heard of that.
The BCP, I think, stands for "bovine compounded" but I might be mistaken. Different labs can make it differently, so it is important to always get it from the same place. Mine was made in Houston TX. There are other labs in and out of the U.S.
BCP Veterinary Pharmacy has replicated the discontinued formula for 100% bovine protamine zinc insulin (PZI). With only one amino acid difference occurring at site A18, bovine PZI is the closest match to feline insulin available. Cats can accept this insulin better because it is much more like their own. By comparison, recombinant human insulin is the furthest removed from feline insulin with four amino acid differences, while porcine insulin has three amino acid differences and is structurally closest to canine insulin. The protamine binds to the insulin molecule and slowly releases insulin into the bodily tissue. Most cats can be regulated with only one dose per day, as opposed to the twice-a-day routine many cats require when using synthetic human insulin. Once-a-day insulin injections obviously offer a considerable compliance benefit for pet owners. Veterinarians have reported that there seems to be a smoother regulation of blood glucose curve when using BCP PZI®. This medication is a good choice for cats suspected of having insulin resistance. Some cats, whose condition had previously been difficult to control with other types of insulin, have finally been regulated with BCP PZI®. BCP Veterinary Pharmacy compounds its BCP PZI® with 100% pure bovine insulin crystals that meet all USP monograph specifications and insists upon ongoing analysis to ensure quality control.
BCP PZI® insulin is available in 100u/ml 5ml or 10ml, 50u/ml 10ml & 40u/ml 10ml. 40u syringes are also available for purchase.
IIRC, once upon a time, there was something called PZI Vet?
http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/PZIVet
This is a letter from the manufacturer explaining why it was discontinued in 2008:
Apparently they ran out of cow parts.... It was also referred to as IDEXX, which I guess was the name of the lab.
April 8, 2008
Dear Concerned Cat Owner,
Recently there have been some developments regarding the availability of PZI VET® (protamine zinc
insulin), and I wanted to update you on the situation because it may impact your diabetic cat. You
may know that PZI VET is derived from bovine and porcine pancreatic glands, and unfortunately, the
supply of our original raw material has been exhausted. As there are no FDA approved facilities for
harvesting bovine pancreatic tissue, we have determined after extensive study that further
production of animal source insulins is not practical in a modern manufacturing environment.
Therefore, following the sale of our existing inventory, IDEXX will no longer manufacture or sell
any animal-based insulin. We are currently in the process of notifying veterinarians who prescribe
PZI-VET of the situation. As of April 1, 2008, there was a considerable inventory in distribution,
so please consult with your own veterinarian on the best course of action for your cat.
We appreciate that feline diabetes is a chronic condition requiring ongoing treatment and
monitoring.
Accordingly, IDEXX remains committed to the treatment of this disease. We are working diligently to
develop and bring to market a new insulin product for the treatment of diabetes in cats.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Cole DVM, PhD, DACVCP
Manager, Professional Services Group
IDEXX Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
And when it went away, the formula for PZI became available for others to make. That led to BCP PZI, and now it can be made by anyone who wants to make it. At the time it came out, it was supposed to be the best insulin for cats, because it was made for cats, and apparently bovine insulin is close chemically to a cat's natural insulin. Before all the studies were done on using human insulins like lantus and levimer, PZI was touted as having the best remission rate for kitties. I think that was probably before the TR protocol for Lantus was developed maybe. If you go to the YDC site, Dr. Hodgkins claims that it is much better for cats. But their claims are sort of suspect, IMO
BCP PZI has one minor difference from the old PZI Vet. BCP is 100% derived from cows, while Vet was 90% cow and 10% pig.
Prozinc is actually a human insulin according to their website: Interesting reading - I didn't know any of this stuff!
http://www.prozinc.us/faq.aspx#prozinc
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 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.
It is a U40 insulin only according the website. Anybody using it should read the FAQ I linked above. Good info.
