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Weight loss injections/treatments

Discuss weight-loss injections and treatments, including personal experiences. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any treatments.

The 'discard your pen after 30 days' thing

7 replies

SevernWonders · 14/07/2024 17:51

I'm due to order my 3rd pen (7.5) soon but my suppression is ok atm.

I don't want to risk ordering a 5mg pen if the suppression might stop, but if it carries on as it is then I won't need to go up to 7.5mg.

So if I dose 5mg from a 7.5mg would you risk using it all up over 6 (plus bonus) doses of 5mg or would you follow what the patient leaflet says about MJ pen should be discarded after 30 days.

It is a lot of money to waste but I don't want to end up making myself unwell.

OP posts:
Snozzlemaid · 14/07/2024 18:37

I've done it the other way.
I've ordered another 5 which is working okay for me at the moment.
If I find it gets less effective and I need to go up to 7.5 I'll take more than 1 dose from my 5mg pen.
I know my pen won't last as long but possibly preferable to using one over the 30 days.

SevernWonders · 14/07/2024 19:42

I am gritting my teeth at the loss of £35 a dose!

OP posts:
Tirzepatide · 14/07/2024 21:16

I've been thinking the same thing and yes, I would risk it. I think - still researching but what I've read so far doesn't worry me.

As long as it had been consistently refrigerated, sterilised before putting needle in and after, needle only in for minimum time etc.

Tirzepatide · 14/07/2024 21:33

I think the issue is with using a multi-dose vial, rather than degradation. Normal protocol is to discard after 28 days unless stated otherwise (so 30 days in this case).

I've copied this:

With injectable medicine you’re bypassing your stomach, lungs, and skin, and injecting directly into your blood.

This is the reason sterility is so important and why you must be concerned with how long you use a multi-dose vial. When the product leaves the pharmacy it is sterile. This is known because of all of the rigorous standards during production mentioned above. After you receive the product, puncture it, and begin using it, there is a risk of introducing germs into the vial. Germs introduced into the vial can multiply in the vial and end up in your blood the next time you inject. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, we are surrounded by germs, there is no way at home to be absolutely certain you didn’t contaminate the vial – but sterile production standards, and added preservatives help protect you, for at least 28 days.

Remember the goal: keep germs out of your blood.

People often struggle with this concept as it relates to sterile injectable medications. We go about our everyday lives, get sick, get better, and we minimize the importance of keeping our blood free of germs, because our body does the job for us. However, if you are injecting medications, you need to be more aware of sterility and safety.

People will sometimes say, “but I used a vial well past 28 days after first puncture and I didn’t get sick, so why should I care?” Well, those people are taking a risk. Just because you didn’t get sick by risky behavior one time, doesn’t mean you will never get sick if you continue to disregard the rules.

Using an injectable medicine beyond 28 days after first puncture is risky. It is not recommended by the scientific community, and not recommended by the pharmacy that made your medication.

I'm not so sure about risking it now! Would maybe go to 35 days but definitely not beyond.

Tirzepatide · 15/07/2024 17:03

Just coming back to this again!

I have decided that I will not risk it. As long as I get five doses out of a pen I'm happy. I'm going to tell myself it is irrelevant if there is any left over - I've paid for four doses and I got five so I'm one up already.

SevernWonders · 15/07/2024 21:09

Yes that is true. I just feel annoyed at the thought of throwing away several doses, when it is sooooo expensive.

OP posts:
Ineffable23 · 15/07/2024 21:21

I think I would be less concerned if it was stored refrigerated the entire time. Most bacteria will have a very slow growth rate at that temperature. I think that + being exceptionally careful about hand washing + disinfecting the red seal (maybe both before and after injecting?) and using the cap, would reduce the risk of infection (which will be the main risk here) quite substantially.

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