Lantus for pets?...not likely

[Seattlebrian]

I called up the makers of Lantus to see if there were any plans to sell it in U-40 or U-50 concentrations. And unfortunately, there are currently no studies planned to research it. And on the down low, I got some info out of the rep on the phone. They don't want to make it in lower concentration or for pets because of the success many have had with remission. It would not be an ongoing revenue stream for them, and so it isn't worth the investment of money to get FDA approval for that application.

 

[chriscleo]

guessing this discussion may be better for thinktank but why are you looking into lower concentrations? (ya got me curious.) we've seen so much success on this protocol that i'd guess only a minority of kitties would benefit from the change...

 

[Seattlebrian]

A lower concentration would be easier to measure smaller doses.

 

[kryskat]

I figured it was a dosing issue when I read it - it would be much easier and more accurate, I think, to measure the smaller doses in the other concentrations...

It just makes me soooo mad to think that it's all about money... I mean, we know it is... and you know these big pharmaceutical companies are looking to make a profit, but you'd hope somewhere in there, just a tiny part of them might just want to help the people and pets using their products... And I guess they do - as long as they still make a steady and ongoing profit...

Grrr...

 

[Roni and Moonie]

Just wanted to inform you that we have had 134 cats go into remission since 2008 on this lantus board!--Looks pretty good to me!!
Humilin N, another widely used human insulin and Humilin R-aka R, is also used by cats for many many years..not made specifically for cat use by manufacturer either, is widely used by vets.
Many meds & supplements have been used by many many cats here successfully, havent been made for pets--
But here we keep on Learning & studying what's available. This is your best resource for what meds can help your cat.

 

[Laurie and Mr Tinkles]

I was thinking that a lower concentration would be nice! I'm not surprised that they won't consider it, they would probably have to go through the FDA process all over again, and that costs $$$. Since they already have broken into the pet market with off label use, why spend any money?

Another thing to ponder....if they did go through the process and offer a pet version, think about what the price difference would be..... :shock:

That's ok, I'll use my magnifying glass to measure! :mrgreen:

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Actually, to lower the concentration isn't just a matter of dilution. It's reworking all of the research including all of the clinical trials. It would cost a fortune and the typical method of recouping those costs is to pass them along to the consumer. A better route may be to get syringe manufacturers to work on syringes with better markings. Cats and children use small doses.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

yes indeed:

Actually, to lower the concentration isn't just a matter of dilution. It's reworking all of the research including all of the clinical trials. It would cost a fortune and the typical method of recouping those costs is to pass them along to the consumer. A better route may be to get syringe manufacturers to work on syringes with better markings. Cats and children use small doses.

 

[Laurie and Mr Tinkles]

yes indeed:

Actually, to lower the concentration isn't just a matter of dilution. It's reworking all of the research including all of the clinical trials. It would cost a fortune and the typical method of recouping those costs is to pass them along to the consumer. A better route may be to get syringe manufacturers to work on syringes with better markings. Cats and children use small doses.

Or make syringes with smaller capacity. How about 0.1cc or 0.05cc syringes, that would make it easier to measure the smaller dosages!

 

[kryskat]

Personally, I don't much care if they change the concentration although better syringes would be awesome. I'm just disgusted with pharmaceutical companies that publish only the studies that support their claims and create meds that will support a constant revenue stream (i.e. drugs that maintain a condition indefinitely rather than cure/help cure). I understand that they are corporations that need to make a profit... But I think when you are dealing with health, there are definitely ethical issues...

BTW... the way we're headed, diabetes will be so prevalent that someone is eventually going to have to respond to the needs of children and therefore pets... it's sad...

Guess I'll just put my little rose-colored glasses back on now... Hmmm... must have misplaced them.

 

[squeem3]

Or make syringes with smaller capacity. How about 0.1cc or 0.05cc syringes, that would make it easier to measure the smaller dosages!

This web site lists 1/4 cc insulin syringes as available but they are pretty rare: http://www.diabetesexplained.com/insulin-syringe.html Someone on the old board claimed to have gotten 1/4 cc insulin sryinges from a Human doctor for use in diabetic Human babies. The person never posted the manufacturer of those insulin syringes or provided a photo of them :roll:

Sanofi-aventis, the company that makes Lantus, is a Human pharmaceutical so all their products are for Human use. It's not worth the time and money to have a product also approved for pet use because the market is very small. Not to mention all the research and studies that have to be done to prove that the product works well in pets.

Some Human pharmaceutical do have a separate animal division and market those products to vets and farmers and such.
My two cents :smile:

 

[housecats4]

Yeah good idea on the syringes ..As for Lantus it does seem to work good on our kitties Kath :mrgreen: