Cat Owners

How PROZINC Helps

How PROZINC Helps PAGES

Healthy cats are able to regulate their blood glucose levels with the help of insulin that's produced in the body.

Cats diagnosed with diabetes have a harder time maintaining those levels throughout the day, due to an ineffective response to insulin or an insulin deficiency. That's where PROZINC® (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin) comes in.

With 2 daily doses, you can provide your diabetic cat the help they need to regulate their blood glucose and relieve clinical signs.1 With PROZINC proven safety profile, it's the at-home feline insulin treatment you can feel confident about.

Administering Insulin

Important

As with any prescription medication, PROZINC should only be given in the dosage and frequency prescribed by your veterinarian. Talk to your vet before making any adjustments to your cat’s treatment.

Administering PROZINC

If your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, the idea of administering daily insulin injections may seem overwhelming.

With PROZINC, managing feline diabetes is safe and simple. 
Here's how it works:

PROZINC injections should be given before or just after a meal.

Give injections at the same time every day.

Keep a consistent feeding schedule to help ensure proper treatment.

PROZINC Mode of Action
8:02
Your Cat Has Diabetes. Now What?
(3:26)
Feline Diabetes: Fact or Fiction?
3:14
Understanding Insulin
3:40
Preparing an Insulin Injection
3:12

Important User Safety Information: For use in dogs and cats 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.

Giving Your Cat an Insulin Injection
2:54

Important User Safety Information: For use in dogs and cats 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.

Diabetes Regulation & Cats
2:20

Human Safety Information

For use in cats and dogs only. Keep out of 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.

PROZINC Safety & Dosing

PROZINC is the only American Animal Hospital Association-recommended AND FDA-approved first-line treatment for feline diabetes.

In a clinical study of 151 diabetic cats, most cats treated with PROZINC showed improvement within 45 days.2

76% showed improvement in excessive thirst.

74% showed improvement in excessive urination.

The twice-daily dosing of PROZINC ensures your cat receives an insulin that provides appropriate duration of action. PROZINC also uses specific syringes with calibrations suitable for cats (known as U-40) to deliver precise, accurate doses, reducing the risk of under- or overdosing.3

Possible Side Effects of PROZINC

PROZINC, like other drugs, may cause side effects. Serious side effects can occur with or without warning. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your cat has a medical problem or side effect from PROZINC therapy.

The most common insulin-related side effect is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur suddenly and may include:

  • Weakness 
  • Staggering gait
  • Muscle twitching 
  • Coma
  • Depression, lethargy, sluggishness 
  • Behavioral changes 
  • Seizures, convulsions 
  • Death

Download full product information (PDF)

Feline Safety Information

  • PROZINC is for use in cats only. Keep out of the reach of children. 
  • Owners should be advised to observe for signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 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 animal does not receive prompt treatment. 
  • PROZINC should not be used during episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
  • 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.
  • The safety and effectiveness of PROZINC in kittens, or breeding, pregnant, and lactating animals has not been evaluated.

1 Nelson RW, Henley K, Cole C, et al. Field safety and efficacy of protamine zinc recombinant human insulin for treatment of diabetes mellitus in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2009;23:787-802.

2 PROZINC® (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin) [Freedom of Information Summary]. St. Joseph, MO: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.; 2009.

3 Borin-Crivellenti S, Bonagura JD, Gilor C. Comparison of precision and accuracy of U100 and U40 insulin syringes. 2014 ACVIM Forum Research Abstracts Program. J Vet Intern Med. 2014;28:1029.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: PROZINC® (protamine zinc recombinant human insulin) is for use in dogs and cats only. Keep out of the reach of children. Owners should be advised to observe for signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 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 animal does not receive prompt treatment. PROZINC should not be used during episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 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. The safety and effectiveness of PROZINC in puppies, kittens, or breeding, pregnant, and lactating animals has not been evaluated. For more information, see full prescribing information.