Warnings
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.
Precautions
For obese patients, dose calculations should be based on the patient's ideal body weight to avoid inadvertent insulin overdose.
Long term repeated injections of insulin at the same site may cause lipodystrophic reactions, which could interfere with insulin absorption.
Food and Drug Interactions
- BETA-ADRENERGIC ANTAGONISTS (eg, atenolol, propranolol) - Can have variable effects on glycemic control and can mask the signs associated with hypoglycemia.
- CLONIDINE - Can mask the signs associated with hypoglycemia.
- DIGOXIN - Because insulin can reduce serum potassium levels, patients receiving concomitant digoxin therapy - especially those reveiving concurrent diuretic therapy - should be closely monitored.
- DIURETICS (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) - Insulin shifts extracellular potassium into the intracellular space; serum potassium concentration should be closely monitored in patients receiving concomitant diuretic therapy. Diuretics may also decrease the hypoglycemic activity of insulin (ie, increase insulin requirements).
- RESERPINE - Can mask the signs associated with hypoglycemia.
The following drugs or drug classes may potentiate the hypoglycemic activity of insulin (ie, decrease insulin requirements).
- ALCOHOL
- ANABOLIC STEROIDS (eg, boldenone, stanozolol, testosterone)
- ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR BLOCKERS (eg, telmisartan)
- ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORS (eg, benazepril, enalapril)
- DISOPYRAMIDE
- FENOFIBRATE
- FLUOROQUINOLONES (eg, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin)
- FLUOXETINE
- HYPOGLYCEMICS, ORAL (eg, acarbose, glipizide, metformin)
- MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS (eg, amitraz, linezolid, selegiline)
- PENTOXIFYLLINE
- SALICYLATES (eg, aspirin, bismuth subsalicylate)
- SOMATOSTATIN DERIVATIVES (eg, octreotide)
- SULFONAMIDES (eg, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethoxazole)
Human Warnings
