VPT 311: General and Systemic Veterinary Pharmacology (2+1)

PREPARATIONS OF INSULIN

• Insulin was originally derived from the pancreas of either pig of the ox.
• The standard preparation contains 20, 40 and 80 units of insulin in one milliliter of the injection.
• The rate of absorption of insulin and its duration of action depends on the physical state (crystalline or amorphous, proportion of zinc, solution or suspension) and the route of injection of the chosen formulation.
• The complexed solution ie. Protamine zinc insulin and globin of zinc insulin are effective for about 48 hours and 24 hours. But, the plain insulin is effective only for 8 hours and lente insulin is effective for 18-20 hours duration.
• Human insulin (Humulin) is a DNA recombinant derived preparation of insulin.
• The specialized delivery devices for insulin include insulin syringes, pen devices, inhalation devices, pumps and implantable preparations.
• Uses
  • Diabetes mellitus in dogs
  • Acetonemia in cattle (Insulin is a powerful antiketotic agent. It is particularly useful in ketosis that occurs within the first week of lactation and is non responsive to glucose or glucocorticoids therapy alone)
  • Pregnancy toxemia in sheep.