Elevated cholesterol (total) after Insulin in dogs

83 reports to the FDA describe elevated cholesterol (total) in dogs given Insulin. That is 1.1% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 0.3% across reports for all dog medicines, so it is reported unusually often with this medicine.

83Reports

78%Marked serious

13%Recovered

13%Died or euthanised

72 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 7.3%

1–2 days

1 2.4%

3–7 days

5 12%

1–4 weeks

7 17%

Over a month

25 61%

How the animals did

Recovered

2 2.4%

Recovered with lasting effects

9 11%

Still unwell when reported

38 46%

Died

3 3.6%

Euthanised

8 9.6%

Not known

23 28%

Problems reported at the same time

Liver problems

55 66%

Didn't work as expected

37 45%

29 35%

29 35%

27 33%

25 30%

Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase (ggt)

22 27%

Vomiting

21 25%

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 elevated cholesterol (total) in dogs?: 83 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 72 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).

Elevated cholesterol (total) with similar medicines

Elevated cholesterol (total) after Trilostane (Vetoryl) 312 reports · 2.6% of its reports
Elevated cholesterol (total) after Phenylpropanolamine (Proin) 20 reports · 0.5% of its reports
Elevated cholesterol (total) after Levothyroxine 25 reports · 0.8% of its reports

All reported side effects of Insulin in dogs · Medicines most reported with elevated cholesterol (total)