Vetsulin® Insulin

Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) is indicated for the reduction of hyperglycemia and hyperglycemia-associated clinical signs in dogs and cats with diabetes mellitus.

References:

1. Behrend E, Holford A, Lathan P, Rucinsky R, Schulman R. 2018 AAHA diabetes management guidelines for dogs and cats. J AM Anim Hosp Assoc. 2018 [updated 2022];54(1):1-19. Doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6822

Dogs and Cats

Lente (porcine* zinc) insulin

Zinc (as chloride) 0.08 mg, Sodium acetate trihydrate 1.36 mg, Sodium chloride 7 mg, Methylparaben (preservative) 1 mg.

pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide.

Vetsulin

Intermediate-acting insulin, Injectable

Merck Animal Health

This sterile injectable suspension contains 40 IU of purified porcine insulin per 1 mL (U-40) of suspension and is supplied in a 10 mL multidose vial. Please ensure the selected product is appropriate for your pet, as recommended by your veterinarian.

For current availability, please refer to the product selection above.

Vetsulin Insulin should be administered subcutaneously (injected under the skin) as directed by your veterinarian. Please consult your veterinarian before making any changes or discontinuing the prescribed dosing schedule.

For general injectable use (aseptic technique):

Aseptic technique refers to a set of practices designed to minimize the risk of contamination and infection during medical procedures. These practices can also be applied to the handling and administration of injectable medications to your pet to help reduce the risk of post-injection bacterial infections.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after administration.

Use a new, sterile needle and syringe for each injection. Needles and syringes should never be reused.

Do not touch the needle, syringe tip, or vial stopper (once it has been wiped with alcohol) to any surface to avoid contamination.

Adequately clean and disinfect the vial stopper with an alcohol wipe, then allow it to dry before inserting the sterile needle/syringe.

Withdraw and administer the prescribed dose as directed by your veterinarian.

Dispose of the needle/syringe immediately after use into a proper sharps disposal container.

Manufacturer Dosage and Administration:

FOR SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION IN DOGS AND CATS ONLY

USE OF A SYRINGE OTHER THAN A U-40 SYRINGE WILL RESULT IN INCORRECT DOSING.

Shake the vial thoroughly until a homogeneous, uniformly milky suspension is obtained. Foam on the surface of the suspension formed during shaking should be allowed to disperse before the product is used and, if required, the product should be gently mixed to maintain a homogeneous, uniformly milky suspension before use. Clumps or white particles can form in insulin suspensions: do not use the product if visible clumps or white particles persist after shaking thoroughly.

Administer the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular schedule. Do not administer more medication than prescribed or two doses at once.

If you have questions about your pet’s prescribed dosing schedule (e.g., timing, interval), please consult your veterinarian.

Store in an upright position under refrigeration at 36 to 46°F. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

The most common side effect of this medication is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Signs of hypoglycemia may occur suddenly, and may include weakness/lethargy, behavioral changes, muscle twitching, decreased coordination (e.g., stumbling/falling), seizures, and coma.

Always be prepared for an unexpected hypoglycemic event; a source of real sugar (e.g., food, oral dextrose) should be kept on hand and offered to your pet if hypoglycemia occurs. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Prolonged hyperglycemia can result in severe side effects including seizures, coma, and death. If your pet falls unconscious or has a seizure, this is a medical emergency- seek emergency veterinary attention immediately.

In some cases, injection site reactions (including lumps or thickening of the skin) have been reported. Rotating injection sites may help prevent these reactions.

Notify your veterinarian if your pet experiences any of the effects described above, or if you notice any other side effects that are persistent or troublesome.

If you notice anything unusual, please consult your veterinarian.

This is a U-40 insulin; only compatible (U-40) syringes should be used to administer this product.

Inspect the vial before each use. Do NOT use this medication if the suspension changes in appearance (e.g., color, clumping, presence of large visible particles). These may be signs that the product is no longer fit for use.

For use in animals only. Keep out of the reach of children.

Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes. Accidental injection may cause clinical hypoglycemia. In case of accidental injection, seek medical attention immediately. Exposure to product may induce a local or systemic allergic reaction in sensitized individuals.

Do NOT administer this medication during periods of hypoglycemia. Any change in insulin should be made cautiously and only under a veterinarian's supervision.

Animals presenting with severe ketoacidosis, anorexia, lethargy, and/or vomiting should be stabilized with short-acting insulin and appropriate supportive therapy until their condition is stabilized.

As with all insulin products, careful patient monitoring for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are essential to attain and maintain adequate glycemic control and prevent associated complications.

The safety and effectiveness of Vetsulin in breeding, pregnant, and lactating dogs and cats has not been evaluated. Discuss the risks of using this medication with your veterinarian prior to use if your pet is in one of these groups.

The safety and effectiveness of Vetsulin in puppies and kittens has not been evaluated.

Do not administer Vetsulin to animals with a systemic allergy to pork or pork products.

Do not administer to animals with a known history or suspected allergy/hypersensitivity to this medication or any of its ingredients. Allergic reactions to medications may occur. Be sure to inform Vetsource and your veterinarian if your pet has any known drug sensitivities or allergies.

If your pet displays symptoms of an allergic reaction, discontinue therapy and call your veterinarian immediately or seek emergency veterinary attention. Symptoms may include (but are not limited to): swollen lips, tongue, face, or airways; difficulty breathing; agitation; profuse salivation; and widespread hives or itching.

The following drugs* may have potential interactions with this medication: ACE inhibitors (e.g., benazepril, enalapril), alpha-2 agonists (e.g., clonidine, dexmedetomidine), anabolic steroids, ARBs (e.g., telmisartan), aspirin, beta agonists (e.g., albuterol), beta blockers (e.g., atenolol, sotalol), corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone, prednisone), digoxin, diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), estrogens (e.g., estriol), fluoroquinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin), concurrent insulins, MAOIs (e.g., amitraz, selegiline), metformin, metoclopramide, NSAIDs, pentoxifylline, phenothiazines (e.g., acepromazine), phenylpropanolamine (Proin), progestins (e.g., altrenogest), SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., bexagliflozin, velagliflozin), SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline), sulfonamides (e.g., sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethoxazole), tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline), and thyroid hormones (e.g., levothyroxine).

*NOTE: this may not be a comprehensive list. Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

Please ensure your veterinarian is aware of all medications and supplements that your pet is currently receiving. Your veterinarian may prescribe multiple medications, even if a potential drug interaction may occur. In these instances, your veterinarian may adjust the dosages or monitor your pet more closely.

If you are concerned that your pet has experienced an adverse reaction to this medication, please contact the manufacturer Merck Animal Health at 1-800-224-5318 or Vetsource Pet Owner Care at 877-738-4443.

If you have any reason to suspect an overdose, call your doctor/veterinarian or the appropriate poison control resource immediately.

For humans:

The national toll-free Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, will connect you to your local poison center in case of emergency. This service is available nationwide and in most U.S. territories.

For animals:

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 888-426-4435.

Pet Poison Helpline® also provides a 24/7 animal poison control service at 855-764-7661.

All content, including the images and product description above, is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional veterinary consultation, diagnosis, or treatment.

Consult your veterinarian for complete information about this product and how it fits into your pet's individual treatment plan.