Excessive thirst after Insulin in cats

166 reports to the FDA describe excessive thirst in cats given Insulin. That is 4.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 1.0% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

166Reports

26%Marked serious

4.8%Recovered

8.4%Died or euthanised

19 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

6 12%

1–2 days

1 2.0%

3–7 days

13 27%

1–4 weeks

11 22%

Over a month

18 37%

How the animals did

Recovered

8 4.8%

Still unwell when reported

27 16%

Died

13 7.8%

Euthanised

1 0.6%

Not known

117 70%

Problems reported at the same time

Excessive urination

135 81%

Didn't work as expected

120 72%

79 48%

36 22%

25 15%

23 14%

20 12%

14 8.4%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Insulin treats diabetes.

Questions owners ask

Can Insulin cause excessive thirst in cats?: 166 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 19 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Excessive thirst with similar medicines

Excessive thirst after Velagliflozin (Senvelgo) 158 reports · 3.3% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Bexagliflozin (Bexacat) 230 reports · 5.7% of its reports
Excessive thirst after Methimazole 27 reports · 1.5% of its reports

All reported side effects of Insulin in cats · Medicines most reported with excessive thirst