POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

ProZinc 40 IU/ml Suspension for Injection for Cats and Dogs

Active ingredient: Insulin

Form

Injection

Species

Cats Dogs

Manufacturer

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH

VMD MA No.

04491/5049

What it's used for

of diabetes mellitus (insulin deficiency) in dogs and cats, where the required blood levels are achieved by using an individually adjusted dose of the vete...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

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Paying less for Insulin

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

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Prescription required

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Clinical information

ProZinc 40 IU/ml Suspension for Injection for Cats and Dogs — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

of diabetes mellitus (insulin deficiency) in dogs and cats, where the required blood
levels are achieved by using an individually adjusted dose of the veterinary medicinal
product.

If the animal owner is to administer the veterinary medicinal product, suitable training/advice
should be provided by the prescribing veterinarian before using for the first time.
Dosage:
The veterinarian should re-evaluate the animal at appropriate intervals and make adjustments
to the treatment protocol, for instance dose and dosing regimen, until adequate glycaemic
control has been attained.
Any dose adjustment (i.e. increase of dose) should be in general performed after several days
(e.g. 1 week) since full action of insulin requires an equilibration phase. Dose reductions due to
observed hypoglycaemia or suspected Somogyi effect (rebound hyperglycaemia) may be of
50% or higher (potentially including a temporary pause of insulin administration).
Once adequate glycaemic control is achieved intermittent glucose monitoring should be
performed, especially when there is a change in clinical signs or diabetic remission is
suspected, and further adjustments in the insulin dose might be necessary.
Cats:
The initial recommended dose is 0.2 to 0.4 IU insulin/kg bodyweight every 12 hours.
- For cats previously controlled on insulin, a higher starting dose up to 0.7 IU insulin/kg
bodyweight may be appropriate.
- Adjustments of insulin dose if required should usually be done between 0.5 to 1 IU insulin
per injection.
Cats can develop diabetic remission, in which case sufficient endogenous insulin production
will be regained and exogenous insulin dose will need to be adjusted or ceased.
Dogs:
General guidance:
Dosing should be individualised and based on the clinical presentation of each patient. To
achieve optimal control of diabetes mellitus, dose adjustments should primarily be based on
clinical signs. Blood parameters such as fructosamine, maximum blood glucose and decrease
of blood glucose concentrations in blood glucose curves conducted over a sufficient period of
time to determine a blood glucose nadir should be used as supporting tools.
Re-evaluation of clinical signs and laboratory parameters should be performed as
recommended by the attending veterinarian.
Initiation:
For initiation of treatment, the recommended dose is 0.5 to 1 IU insulin/kg bodyweight once
daily every morning (approx. every 24 hours).
For newly diagnosed diabetic dogs, a starting dose of 0.5 IU insulin/kg once daily is
recommended.
Management:
Adjustments of insulin dose on a once daily regimen, if required, should generally be done in a
conservative and gradual manner, (e.g. up to 25% increase/decrease of the dose per
injection).
If insufficient improvement in diabetic control is observed after an adequate dose adjustment
period of 4 to 6 weeks on once daily treatment, the following options may be considered:
- Further adjustments of insulin dose on once daily treatment may be necessary; in
particular if dogs undertake increased physical activity, have a change of their usual diet
or during concomitant illness.
- Switching to twice daily dosing: In such cases, it is recommended to reduce the dose per
injection by one third (e.g. 12 kg dog being treated once daily with 12 IU insulin/injection
may be switched to 8 IU insulin/injection administered twice daily). The veterinary
medicinal product should be administered in the morning and in the evening, approx. 12
hours apart. Further adjustments of insulin dose on twice daily treatment may be
necessary.
Depending on the underlying cause (e.g. dioestrus-induced diabetes mellitus), dogs can
develop diabetic remission, although more seldom than in cats. In those cases, sufficient
endogenous insulin production will be regained and the exogenous insulin dose will need to be
adjusted or ceased.
Method of administration:
A U-40 syringe must be used.
The suspension should be mixed by gently rolling the vial prior to withdrawing each dose from
the vial.
The dose should be given concurrently with or immediately after a meal.
Particular care should be taken with regard to the accuracy of dosing.
The veterinary medicinal product should be administered by subcutaneous injection.
Avoid introduction of contamination during use.
After gently rolling the vial, veterinary medicinal product suspension has a white, cloudy
appearance.
A white ring may be seen in the neck of some vials, but this does not affect the quality of the
veterinary medicinal product.
Agglomerates (e.g. clumps) can form in insulin suspensions: do not use the veterinary
medicinal product if visible agglomerates persist after gently rolling the vial.

Do not use for the acute management of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

Cats and dogs:
Very common
(> 1 animal in 10 animals treated):
Hypoglycaemia (increased
appetite, anxiety, twitching,
stumbling gait
,
disorientation)
.
Very rare
(< 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including
isolated reports).
Injection site reactions
.
Unstable locomotion and sinking in the rear legs.
Generally mild in nature. Immediate administration of a glucose containing solution or gel
and/or food is required. Insulin administration should be temporarily stopped and the next
dose of insulin adjusted appropriately.
Resolved without cessation of therapy.
Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary
medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the
marketing authorisation holder or its local representative or the national competent authority
via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

Very stressful events, inappetence, concomitant treatment with gestagens and corticosteroids
or other concomitant diseases (e.g. gastro-intestinal, infectious or inflammatory or endocrine
diseases), might influence insulin effectiveness and therefore the insulin dose may need to be
adjusted.

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:
The insulin dose may need to be adjusted or discontinued in case of remission of the diabetic
state in cats or after resolution of transient diabetic stages in dogs (e.g. dioestrus-induced
diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus secondary to hyperadrenocorticism).
After the daily insulin dose is established, monitoring for diabetic control is recommended.
Treatment with insulin can cause hypoglycaemia, for clinical signs and appropriate treatment,
see section 3.10.
Special precautions for use in dogs:
In cases where hypoglycaemia is suspected, blood glucose measurements should be taken at
the time of occurrence (if possible) as well as shortly prior to the next feeding/injection (where
applicable).
Stress and irregular exercise should be avoided. It is recommended to establish a regular
twice daily feeding schedule with the owner whether injecting insulin once or twice daily.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product
to animals:
Accidental self-injection can provoke clinical signs of hypoglycaemia which may be treated by
oral administration of sugar. There is a low possibility of an allergic reaction in sensitised
individuals.
In case of accidental self-injection seek medical advice immediately and show the package
leaflet or the label to the physician.
Special precautions for the protection of the environment:
Not applicable.

Changes in insulin requirements may result from administration of substances which alter
glucose tolerance (e.g. corticosteroids and gestagens). Monitoring of glucose concentrations
should be performed to adjust the dose accordingly. Similarly, feeding cats with a high
protein/low carbohydrate diet and changing the diet of any given cat or dog may alter insulin
requirements and necessitate a change of insulin dose.

Store upright in a refrigerator (2 °C – 8 °C).
Do not freeze.
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Not applicable.
4.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.