Switching from ProZinc to Lantus -- please share experience

[alicia.1771]

Can someone who has switched their kitty from ProZinc to Lantus share their experiences with me?

My Beau was put on ProZinc upon diagnosis on 7/19/11 and seemed to do well in the beginning but not so much lately. Vet recommended a dose increase to 2.0 today for one more week then re-evaluate on switching to Lantus.

I know there is a forum with a lot of info which will take me some time to read through. In the mean time, can you let me know:

1) If you & the kitty had a good/bad experience switching from ProZinc to Lantus.
2) If remission/regulation was achieved after the switch.
3) How different is handling Lantus vs. ProZinc in terms of shots, testing, flexibility, dose adjustment, etc.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Re: Switching from ProZinc to Lantus -- please share experie

There are a number of people here who have switched over. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. Folks will stop by throughout the evening.

I can address your third point. The two types of insulin are very different. Lantus is long acting and is a depot-type drug. What this means is that dosing is based on the nadir and not on the pre-shot value. We do not slide doses they way you do with ProZinc. Doses are held for a specific period of time (barring numbers that indicate a dose reduction is needed). Lantus is a U100 insulin that is shot twice a day, 12 hours apart. Lantus also works best when you are consistent (and patient). You need to do what you can to keep with a 12-hour shot schedule. Because it is a depot insulin, changes in shot time have the effect of acting like a dose reduction or increase. Dose changes are typically made in 0.25u increments so getting U100 syringes that are in 0.5u increments is very helpful. Like with any insulin, a pre-shot test is important. It is also important to get spot checks during the cycle -- again, because dosing is based on nadir. Minimally, a pre-shot test and one test per cycle is requested.

You may want to read over the starred, sticky note above that pertains to the Tight Regulation Protocol. There is more specific information on dosing.

 

[julie & punkin (ga)]

Re: Switching from ProZinc to Lantus -- please share experie

hi alicia - punkin was on prozinc for a while before we switched to lantus, but honestly, i can't tell you much about it. i just gave the shots as the vet directed and didn't start hometesting til we switched to the lantus.

one big oops - the vet didn't have us switch needle sizes - you MUST switch to u-100 syringes. ProZinc uses u-40. that's essential.

punkin hasn't gone OTJ because he has acromegaly, but we see a cat or two every week go off. some cats are just on for a short time.

what i can tell you is that we'll all help you through the learning curve to use lantus.

 

[LynnLee + Mousie]

Re: Switching from ProZinc to Lantus -- please share experie

bump.....just wanted to bump this up to see if there are others with input

 

[Ann & Tess GA]

Re: Switching from ProZinc to Lantus -- please share experie