Insulin human

Indications

PROZINC (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin) is indicated for the reduction of hyperglycemia and hyperglycemia-associated clinical signs in cats with diabetes mellitus.

Dosage and Administration

USE OF A SYRINGE OTHER THAN A U-40 SYRINGE WILL RESULT IN INCORRECT DOSING. FOR SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION ONLY. DO NOT SHAKE OR AGITATE THE VIAL. PROZINC should be mixed by gently rolling the vial prior to withdrawing each dose from the vial. Once mixed, PROZINC suspension has a white, cloudy appearance. Clumps or visible white particles can form in insulin suspensions: do not use the product if clumps or visible white particles persist after gently rolling the vial. Using a U-40 insulin syringe, the injection should be administered subcutaneously on the back of the neck or on the side of the cat. Always provide the Client Information Sheet with each prescription. The initial recommended PROZINC dose is 0.1 - 0.3 IU insulin/pound of body weight (0.2 - 0.7 IU/kg) every 12 hours. The dose should be given concurrently with or right after a meal. The veterinarian should re-evaluate the cat at appropriate intervals and adjust the dose based on both clinical signs and glucose nadirs until adequate glycemic control has been attained. In the effectiveness field study, glycemic control was considered adequate if the glucose nadir from a 9-hour blood glucose curve was between 80 and 150 mg/dL and clinical signs of hyperglycemia such as polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss were improved. Further adjustments in the dosage may be necessary with changes in the cat’s diet, body weight, or concomitant medication, or if the cat develops concurrent infection, inflammation, neoplasia, or an additional endocrine or other medical disorder.

Contraindications

PROZINC is contraindicated in cats sensitive to protamine zinc recombinant human insulin or any other ingredients in PROZINC. PROZINC is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia.

Warnings

User Safety: For use in cats and dogs only. Keep out of the reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes. In case of contact, immediately flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. Accidental injection may cause hypoglycemia. In case of accidental injection, seek medical attention immediately. Exposure to product may induce a local or systemic allergic reaction in sensitized individuals. Animal Safety: Owners should be advised to observe for signs of hypoglycemia (see Client Information Sheet). Use of this product, even at established doses, has been associated with hypoglycemia. A cat with signs of hypoglycemia should be treated immediately. Glucose should be given orally or intravenously as dictated by clinical signs. Insulin should be temporarily withheld and, if indicated, the dosage adjusted. Any change in insulin should be made cautiously and only under a veterinarian’s supervision. Changes in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, species (human, animal) or method of manufacture (rDNA versus animal-source insulin) may result in the need for a change in dosage. Appropriate diagnostic tests should be performed to rule out other endocrinopathies in diabetic cats that are difficult to regulate.

Precautions

Cats 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 is essential to attain and maintain adequate glycemic control and to prevent associated complications. Overdose can result in profound hypoglycemia and death. Glucocorticoids, progestogens, and certain endocrinopathies can have an antagonistic effect on insulin activity. Glucocorticoid and progestogen use should be avoided. The safety and effectiveness of PROZINC in breeding, pregnant, and lactating cats has not been evaluated. The safety and effectiveness of PROZINC in kittens has not been evaluated.

Adverse Reactions

Effectiveness Field Study In a 45-day effectiveness field study, 176 cats received PROZINC. Hypoglycemia (defined as a blood glucose value of < 50 mg/dL) occurred in 71 of the cats at various times throughout the study. Clinical signs of hypoglycemia were generally mild in nature (described as lethargic, sluggish, weak, trembling, uncoordinated, groggy, glassy-eyed or dazed). In 17 cases, the veterinarian provided oral glucose supplementation or food as treatment. Most cases were not associated with clinical signs and received no treatment. One cat had a serious hypoglycemic event associated with stupor, lateral recumbency, hypothermia and seizures. All cases of hypoglycemia resolved with appropriate therapy and if needed, a dose reduction. Three cats had injection site reactions which were described as either small, punctate, red lesions; lesions on neck; or palpable subcutaneous thickening. All injection site reactions resolved without cessation of therapy. Four cats developed diabetic neuropathy during the study as evidenced by plantigrade stance. Three cats entered the study with plantigrade stance, one of which resolved by Day 45. Four cats were diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis during the study. Two were euthanized due to poor response to treatment. Five other cats were euthanized during the study, one of which had hypoglycemia. Four cats had received PROZINC for less than a week and were euthanized due to worsening concurrent medical conditions. The following additional clinical observations or diagnoses were reported in cats during the effectiveness field study: vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, cystitis/hematuria, upper respiratory infection, dry coat, hair loss, ocular discharge, abnormal vocalization, black stool, and rapid breathing. Extended Use Field Study Cats that completed the effectiveness study were enrolled into an extended use field study. In this study, 145 cats received PROZINC for up to an additional 136 days. Adverse reactions were similar to those reported during the 45-day effectiveness study and are listed in order of decreasing frequency: vomiting, hypoglycemia, anorexia/poor appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, cystitis/hematuria, and weakness. Twenty cats had signs consistent with hypoglycemia described as: sluggish, lethargic, unsteady, wobbly, seizures, trembling, or dazed. Most of these were treated by the owner or veterinarian with oral glucose supplementation or food; others received intravenous glucose. One cat had a serious hypoglycemic event associated with seizures and blindness. The cat fully recovered after supportive therapy and finished the study. All cases of hypoglycemia resolved with appropriate therapy and if needed, a dose reduction. Fourteen cats died or were euthanized during the extended use study. In two cases, continued use of insulin despite anorexia and signs of hypoglycemia contributed to the deaths. In one case, the owner decided not to continue therapy after a presumed episode of hypoglycemia. The rest were due to concurrent medical conditions or worsening of the diabetes mellitus. To report suspected adverse drug events, for technical assistance or to obtain a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), contact Boehringer Ingelheim at 1-888-637-4251. For additional information about adverse drug experience reporting for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or online at www.fda.gov/reportanimalae.

Description

PROZINC is a sterile aqueous protamine zinc suspension of recombinant human insulin. Each mL contains: recombinant human insulin............................40 International Units (IU) protamine sulfate............................................0.466 mg zinc oxide........................................................0.088 mg glycerin...........................................................16.00 mg dibasic sodium phosphate, heptahydrate........ 3.78 mg phenol (added as preservative)....................... 2.50 mg hydrochloric acid............................................ 1.63 mg water for injection (maximum)....................... 1005 mg pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide.

Information for Owners

Please refer to the Client Information Sheet for Cats for more information about PROZINC. PROZINC, like other insulin products, is not free from adverse reactions. Owners should be advised of the potential for adverse reactions and be informed of the associated clinical signs. Potential adverse reactions include: hypoglycemia, insulin antagonism/resistance, rapid insulin metabolism, insulin-induced hyperglycemia (Somogyi Effect), and local or systemic reactions. The most common adverse reaction observed is hypoglycemia. Signs may include: weakness, depression, behavioral changes, muscle twitching, and anxiety. In severe cases of hypoglycemia, seizures and coma can occur. Hypoglycemia can be fatal if an affected cat does not receive prompt treatment. Appropriate veterinary monitoring of blood glucose, adjustment of insulin dose and regimen as needed, and stabilization of diet and activity help minimize the risk of hypoglycemic episodes. The attending veterinarian should evaluate other adverse reactions on a case-by-case basis to determine if an adjustment in therapy is appropriate, or if alternative therapy should be considered.

Storage

Store in an upright position under refrigeration at 36-46°F (2-8°C). Do not freeze. Protect from light. Use the 10 mL vial within 60 days of first puncture. Use the 20 mL vial within 80 days of first puncture. Approved by FDA under NADA #141-297 Marketed by: Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. Duluth, GA 30096 PROZINC® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. © 2019 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. All rights reserved. Revised 08/2019 449986-01 Package Insert for Dogs ProZinc® (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin) 40 IU/mL

FDA adverse event reports

The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine publishes the adverse event reports it receives through openFDA. The counts below are the reports naming insulin human as an active ingredient for each species this label names, as returned on 2026-09-16, coded by the VeDDRA reaction term the reporter chose. Reactions are counted per report, so one report can appear under several terms.

These are counts, not rates. Reporting is voluntary, the number of animals treated is not known, and a widely used product accumulates reports for that reason alone. A report records that an event followed a dose; it does not establish that the product caused it. The counts say nothing about how one product compares with another.