Nico's a mess

[JL and Chip]

I look forward to following you on your glargine journey. We have lots of experience with that insulin around here.

Personally I think your vet jumped ship too quickly on the Prozinc, but both Prozinc annd Lantus (glargine) are good insulins for cats and that’s what’s most important.

There are some key differences in how the two insulin work that you should be aware of. Here’s a quick rundown:

- Lantus is a depot-type insulin whereas Prozinc is more of an in-and-out insulin. What that means is that Lantus builds up in the system and the impact of each injection can carry over into the following 12-hour cycle(s). Prozinc, on the other hand, is primarily out of the system after each 12 hour cycle with no (or minimal) carryover into the next cycle. That also means that hypo events can last longer on Lantus.

- Lantus does best with a pretty strict 12/12 hour shot schedule, whereas Prozinc can be a bit more forgiving. Lantus tends to be more strict on shot timing because of its depot/carryover nature. Therefore, those who have unusual work schedules and can’t strictly shoot a 12/12 hour schedule sometimes go with Prozinc.

- The concentrations (“strengths”) are different — Lantus is a U-100 insulin (100 units/ml) whereas Prozinc is U-40 (40 units/ml). When comparing prices, keep in mind, for example, that a 10ml vial of Lantus contains 1000 units of insulin whereas a 10ml vial of Prozinc contains 400 units. Also, you’ll either need to use u-40 syringes with Prozinc or use u-100 syringes with a conversion chart.

- Lantus is a human insulin so typically sold by human pharmacies (not often carried by vet clinics, at least where I live) whereas Prozinc is a pet insulin so typically sold by vet clinics/online (and not as often available in human pharmacies).

As for this message board, the Lantus forum is busier and probably has more active users daily than the Prozinc forum. Since you’re moving to Lantus, I suggest you head over to the Lantus forum and start reading the Sticky posts. There’s a lot of valuable info there. And ask questions!

 

[Tyleete]

I look forward to following you on your glargine journey. We have lots of experience with that insulin around here.

Personally I think your vet jumped ship too quickly on the Prozinc, but both Prozinc annd Lantus (glargine) are good insulins for cats and that’s what’s most important.

There are some key differences in how the two insulin work that you should be aware of. Here’s a quick rundown:

- Lantus is a depot-type insulin whereas Prozinc is more of an in-and-out insulin. What that means is that Lantus builds up in the system and the impact of each injection can carry over into the following 12-hour cycle(s). Prozinc, on the other hand, is primarily out of the system after each 12 hour cycle with no (or minimal) carryover into the next cycle. That also means that hypo events can last longer on Lantus.

- Lantus does best with a pretty strict 12/12 hour shot schedule, whereas Prozinc can be a bit more forgiving. Lantus tends to be more strict on shot timing because of its depot/carryover nature. Therefore, those who have unusual work schedules and can’t strictly shoot a 12/12 hour schedule sometimes go with Prozinc.

- The concentrations (“strengths”) are different — Lantus is a U-100 insulin (100 units/ml) whereas Prozinc is U-40 (40 units/ml). When comparing prices, keep in mind, for example, that a 10ml vial of Lantus contains 1000 units of insulin whereas a 10ml vial of Prozinc contains 400 units. Also, you’ll either need to use u-40 syringes with Prozinc or use u-100 syringes with a conversion chart.

- Lantus is a human insulin so typically sold by human pharmacies (not often carried by vet clinics, at least where I live) whereas Prozinc is a pet insulin so typically sold by vet clinics/online (and not as often available in human pharmacies).

As for this message board, the Lantus forum is busier and probably has more active users daily than the Prozinc forum. Since you’re moving to Lantus, I suggest you head over to the Lantus forum and start reading the Sticky posts. There’s a lot of valuable info there. And ask questions!

Thankfully, I'm disabled and can't work, except in that I serve my cats 24/7.

I'm am just starting to read through the sticky ones. Is it true that their numbers aren't all over the place on Lantus like they are constantly moving up and down with PZ? I had at least 2 people suggesting I switch over to the Lantus, so wasn't complaining.

Then the pharmacy she called the meds in to, said it's not there. I texted my vet to ask if she called it and she just called saying.... I called it in myself. I don't think they ever check their messages. So I have to drive back another 54 miles and deliver an rx by hand. So nuts. If anyone here discovers where the Easy button is, can they please pass on the info? Thanks kindly!

 

[Suzanne & Darcy]

Wanted to say thank you for all the help and advice given. Nico's doc wants to try him on Glargine, since his numbers aren't going the way she wants. But I've gotten a lot of assistance here and wanted to just say thank you.

Cool. I really liked Lantus for my cat! We did well on it and then we eventually moved to Levemir and he did even better. You have to try to see what works for your cat.

 

[JL and Chip]

Is it true that their numbers aren't all over the place on Lantus like they are constantly moving up and down with PZ?

Lantus can definitely provide a “surfing” effect in many cats whereby they hang out in relatively flat BG numbers for long stretches of time.

To be fair, don’t expect that immediately. In some cats, it can happen quickly, but in others it can take awhile to achieve flat cycles and some cats still do the up-and-down thing you reference. The power of Lantus is in the “depot” and the tendency for the insulin effects to overlap into ensuing cycles, thus flattening the curve. And be prepared to be patient when you first start Lantus. It can take several days for the depot to build and to see the full impact of what a particular dose will do.

I used both Prozinc and Lantus and, all things being equal, I much preferred Lantus.

So I have to drive back another 54 miles and deliver an rx by hand. So nuts.

Wow, that’s really disappointing. What a hassle.

Remember to get u-100 syringes (if you haven’t already), and make sure they’re 3/10cc with half-unit markings. The 3/10cc simply indicates how much insulin the syringe holds —and although you can technically use any u-100 syringe, the larger volume syringes (such as 1/2cc or 1cc) make it really hard to measure accurate doses given the small amount most cats need.

Some states require a prescription for insulin syringes, some states do not.

 

[Tyleete]

Yes, I will have to try my best to be patient. Someone else told me an average of 3-5 days for build up, and then of course, you're going to deal with the tweaking until you get it right. I'm just going this is the one.
I got some awful news about another of my cats today, and while I've had as many as 13 at one time as permanent residents (I do rescue on my own and adopt out as many as I can-but no one ever wants the old and sick), this sort of thing never gets easier. I only have 7 now, after having lost 4 seniors due to illness just last year. Thought I'd get a break, but apparently not.
I did buy the syringes online. The same brand as the ones you showed me Suzanne, just the U-100 instead of 40. I think the vet did call in for them along with Glargine.
I hope I can keep up with all this, but with also now spending a lot of time trying to find ways to help my other girl too now, it's going to be Fun. But I'll do my best. Thanks for all the support.