Insulin, Lente
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Insulin, Lente during a consultation by Dr Noor. Insulin, Lente for pets in Perth.”
Key Information
Note: This handout is meant to address questions people often ask. It does not include every detail that exists about this medicine. It also does not replace guidance from your veterinary care team.
Description
- This is an insulin that works for a medium length of time.
- It is a liquid that must be injected and comes as a vial or a pen.
- This type of insulin contains 40 units in each 1 mL.
Other common names
- Porcine zinc insulin
- VetPen
- vetsulin
Uses
Approved uses in animals:
- Used to manage diabetes in dogs and cats.
Your veterinarian may also choose to use this medicine in other animal species (this is called “extra-label use,” meaning it is used in a way not specifically listed for that species).
Before this medication is given
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Talk with your veterinarian about:
- Any other medicines or supplements your pet is taking.
- Any health problems your pet has now or has had before.
- Any unwanted reactions your pet has had to medicines in the past.
- The possible risks of using this medicine if your pet is pregnant or nursing.
Warnings for animals
Do not use this medicine in animals:
- That have had an allergy to lente insulin, pork, or pork-based products.
- That are not eating.
- That already have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Some animal competitions do not allow certain medicines. If your animal competes, check the rules while your animal is receiving this medicine.
Warnings for humans
- Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
- To reduce the chance of being stuck by a needle:
- Throw away used needles, syringes, and pen needles right after use.
- Do not put the cap back on a syringe needle before you throw it away.
- A needle stick can cause pain and infection. If you are stuck by a needle, contact your doctor.
How do I give this medication? Insulin, Lente for pets
Give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it. Follow the directions on the prescription label.
Lente insulin is a medium-duration insulin used for diabetes. It is given as an injection under the skin.
- Shake the vial or the pen cartridge very well until the insulin is evenly mixed and looks the same throughout, like a smooth milky liquid. If shaking creates bubbles or foam, wait until the foam goes away before you draw up or give the dose.
- Do not use the insulin if the color looks wrong, or if you still see clumps or bits in it after shaking.
- Give each dose at the same time(s) every day. Give it right after a meal.
- Do not give insulin if your animal is not eating. Call your veterinarian if your animal will not eat.
- Use only U40 syringes with lente insulin. If you are using a pen, use only the pen needles made for that device.
- Check the amount in the syringe or pen carefully before you inject. Giving too much can be deadly.
- Use a different injection spot each time.
- Do not use needles or syringes more than once. Put used needles and syringes into a sharps container right away.
- Call your veterinarian if you see signs that blood sugar may be too low, such as weakness, low energy, wobbliness, changes in behavior, muscle shaking/twitching, or seizures.
Side effects
Common — contact your veterinarian if these problems are strong, keep happening, or get worse over time:
Skin changes where injections are given, such as small lumps or thickened skin. Changing injection locations can help lower the chance of these skin problems.
Severe — stop giving the medicine and contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic right away if you notice any of the following:
- Be ready for an unexpected low-blood-sugar event. Keep real sugar available, such as honey, table sugar, corn syrup, or liquid glucose packets. Do not use sugar substitutes like xylitol or aspartame, because these can be poisonous.
- If low blood sugar happens:
- If your animal is unconscious or having a seizure, this is an emergency. Go to a veterinarian immediately.
- If your animal is awake and can swallow, rub about 1 tablespoon of corn syrup or honey on the gums until your animal is alert enough to eat. Then give a meal and contact your veterinarian.
- Weakness, low energy, wobbliness, behavior changes, muscle twitching, or seizures. These can be signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Hives, swelling of the head or neck, loud/noisy breathing, or trouble breathing. Although uncommon, these can be signs of an allergic reaction.
How will I know it's working?
This medicine should begin to work within 1 to 2 hours, but you may not be able to see the effects.
Your veterinarian will need to do follow-up testing to check how well it is working.
Contact your veterinary clinic if your animal’s signs get worse or do not improve.
How long will the medication effects last?
Lente insulin is a medium-duration insulin. It may work for 8 to 24 hours.
How long do I give it for?
This medicine may be used for different time periods, but it is often needed for life.
Continue for as long as your veterinarian instructs.
Make sure you refill the prescription so treatment is not interrupted.
You may want to keep an extra vial or pen at home in case one breaks or there is a delay getting a refill.
Overdose
Giving too much insulin can cause a dangerous, life-threatening drop in blood sugar.
Signs of low blood sugar include weakness, low energy, wobbliness, behavior changes, muscle twitching, seizures, or coma.
If you see or suspect an overdose, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service (a consultation fee may apply):
Have the product or label with you if you can.
Missed dose
Missing a dose can cause signs of high blood sugar, such as drinking more and urinating more, but it is not life-threatening.
Call your veterinarian as soon as you can to ask when to give the next dose.
If you cannot reach your veterinarian and your animal is eating and acting normally, give the usual dose at the next scheduled time.
Do not give two doses to make up for a missed one, because that can cause a life-threatening overdose.
Storage
- Keep vials and pens in the refrigerator.
- Keep vials and unopened cartridges standing upright.
- Keep away from light and heat.
- Do not freeze. If the insulin has frozen, throw it away.
- Store insulin, needles, and syringes where children and animals cannot reach them.
Discard insulin 42 days after it is first punctured.
Disposal
Insulin disposal: Do not flush this medicine down a toilet and do not pour it into a sink. Ways to get rid of unused or expired medicine include:
- At-home disposal: Mix the medicine with coffee grounds or kitty litter, put the mixture into a sealed plastic bag, and place it in the trash.
Do not keep leftover medicine for later use and do not give it to anyone else to use.
Disposal of used needles and syringes:
- Put used needles and syringes into a sharps container. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can help you get a sharps container.
- When the sharps container is about ¾ full, dispose of it. Ask your local trash service or health department what disposal options are available where you live.
Questions?
Speak with your veterinarian.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”