Switching insulin

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by Jennifer Girard, Aug 25, 2018.

  1. Jennifer Girard

    Jennifer Girard New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2018
    I was wondering if I could just change the insulin from lantus to levemir.
     
  2. Jennifer Girard

    Jennifer Girard New Member

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    Aug 19, 2018
    also Is there any differences between cat and human insulin?
     
  3. Tanya and Ducia

    Tanya and Ducia Well-Known Member

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    Feb 25, 2017
    pourquoi pas?
    Glargine Lantus/ or Basaglar or Levemir are both good for cats.
    They work slightly differently thou. Very slightly differently.
    So if yo uwish to switch it is up to you, but why?

    Why do you want to switch away from Lantus? have your kitty being on it for for awhile w/ no results?
    Insulin replacement therapy takes time - regardless of the insulin type - why do you thing Lantus is no longer good?

    There is no cat insulin as such if I am not mistaken...not in the USA at least.

    In the US one Rxes Vetsulin or ProZinc to pets but it is not as good as human. synthetic insulin like Glargine Lantus or Glargine Bazaglar, or Levemir - they all are human , synthetic insulin and are very good for cats. (in the USA, that is).

    Lantus is very good choice for cats and a lot of people here use it for years. If yo ucan tell us what is - as you think - is wrong with it, then perhaps we can help?
     
  4. Meridith and Zeke

    Meridith and Zeke Well-Known Member

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    May 22, 2017
    We switched from Lantus to Levemir. Each cat is different. Lev works better for Zeke then Lantus ever did. :)
     
  5. Meridith and Zeke

    Meridith and Zeke Well-Known Member

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    May 22, 2017
    How long has your kitty been on Lantus?
     
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  6. Jennifer Girard

    Jennifer Girard New Member

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    Aug 19, 2018
    I'm considering changing only because my grandfather is using levemir and I was wondering if human insulin is the same as the one from the veterinarian.
     
  7. Jennifer Girard

    Jennifer Girard New Member

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    Aug 19, 2018
    He's been on Lantus since May I believe
     
  8. Meridith and Zeke

    Meridith and Zeke Well-Known Member

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    May 22, 2017
    Other then vetuslin, they are all human insulins as far as I know of.

    If your cat is doing good, it would be best to leave him on his current insulin. You don't have any data on your SS so will be hard for anyone to be able to tell you how Lantus is doing for your kitty.
     
  9. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Feb 28, 2012
    Yes there are pet insulins, including in North America. Prozinc is one example, as was PZI. Vetsulin is another, though it's really a dog insulin (originally called Caninsulin in the US), being used for a cat. I got my Levemir from the human pharmacy, some vets charge a mark up so best to buy where humans do.

    I also switched from Lantus to Levemir. We recommend starting at a Levemir dose that is 70% of the size of the Lantus dose, as some cats have a strong reaction to the change. The other thing to consider is that the Levemir onset and nadirs are later than for Lantus, typically around +4 for the onset and +8 for the nadir, though lots of cats are not typical. :cat:
     
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  10. Jennifer Girard

    Jennifer Girard New Member

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    Aug 19, 2018
    I will update the SS in the next days ! I’m pretty sure I would need to increase the number of units. My vet is not very helpful !

    So I can get the insulin in a pharmacy without issues ? They have Lantus too
     
    Jill & Alex (GA) likes this.
  11. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Feb 28, 2012
    Yes, in Canada it's an over the counter medicine. Depending where you live, some people have had issues, so just went to another pharmacy. I found It cheapest at Safeway pharmacy of all places.

    If you keep your spreadsheet up to date, we can help you with dosing.
     
  12. Jennifer Girard

    Jennifer Girard New Member

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    Aug 19, 2018
    I’m from the province of Quebec so I don’t have Safeway near ! And thanks I will do it.
     
  13. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Feb 28, 2012
    Costco Pharmacy, if you have one, is also a good price.
     
  14. Jennifer Girard

    Jennifer Girard New Member

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    Aug 19, 2018
    I don’t haha (small town) but I’ll ask my sister ! Do you know what a « good price » is ?
     
  15. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Feb 28, 2012
    I got a five pack of Levemir cartridges fro around $125, but that's in BC.
     
  16. Mary Ann & Baby

    Mary Ann & Baby Member

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    Aug 6, 2018
    Hi Wendy, do you use Marks Marine? I just talked to them today and they quoted me $169.99 for 5 cartridges? If not, which pharmacy do you get your insulin from? Thanks!
     
  17. Wendy&Neko

    Wendy&Neko Senior Member Moderator

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    Feb 28, 2012
    No, I didn't use Mark's Marine. I live in Canada, about 25 minute drive from Marks as it turns out. Their prices are high compared to what I got over the counter. Safeway pharmacy had the best prices. If you are in the US, that's a good price for 5 cartridges.
     

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