Mounjaro expiry

[Friedslice]

Hi All!

I just can’t seem to find a definite answer to this on Google so hoping someone who’s better at digging than me may have an answer!

I am hoping to wean off mounjaro as I’m nearly at goal, next pen will be 10mg so I’m hoping to make that my last one and just go back down to 5mg for 10 weeks - but for obvious reasons I would rather buy 1 10mg pen than 2 5mg ones!

I can see general advice is 30 days after being taken out of the fridge or first use - I’ve always kept mine in the fridge and had no issues using it on week 5 with the bonus dose - results have still been the same on those weeks!

Just not sure if using it for 10 weeks is pushing it too far? It would obviously still be within the expiry date just over the ‘30 day’ guidance.

I've read in a few places that 6 weeks is possible but I personally wouldn't be happy to stretch it to 10. I would just buy two more pens.

Well done!

Congratulations on nearly reaching goal - you must feel amazing!
From what I have read, a massive issue with the pens is about bacteria growing from multiple punctures to the seal. So using a pen 4 or 5 times gives that many chances of bacterial growth whereas puncturing a pen seal 8-10 obviously massively ups the chances of it causing an infection. So it isn't just the 30 day thing.

Ahh ok that makes sense! Explains why the instructions are to wipe the seal with an anti bacterial wipe each time!

I read somewhere (recollecting from memory), every time you puncture the seal there will be bacteria being introduced to the medication in the vial (regardless of how clean you are as you are in a domestic environment). The medication has preservatives in it that prevent bacteria from growing for up to 30 days. They don't have those preservatives in the US which is why their pens have even shorter use by dates/are single use.

I personally wouldn't risk injecting myself much outside of those 30 days.

The issue with the internet is that we read things and take them as gospel. I've seen the rumour about 'bacteria' from excess puncturing of the vial, I've not seen any actual research about it. It could be a rumour put out by the manufacturer to put us off eeking extra doses ... or it could be entirely true!

I remember when Insulin used to be in a little vial that would be repeatedly 'punctured' with an insulin needle - I don't remember it being an issue.

For context I have been using the same pen for 7 weeks now. I'm probably to throw it away and start a new one next week (even though it has 3 doses left in it!)

@AubreysMonkey Very true! It’s hard to know isn’t it, I think the 30 days is probably to stop people using the extra dose or splitting doses but can’t find anything definition how long it can safely be used for!

I have just done 8 with 2 to go. No issue so far. But is it really any different to getting bacteria in a wound.

@Londonlady365 Im also 7 half doses in, 3 left to go and no issues. Ordering another 10mg to split to keep up the maintenance dose.

I think as long as we’re keeping the area / skin / needle as sanitised as possible then the risks are just as low as using it 5 times instead of 10 🤷🏼‍♀️

@Friedslice thanks. I am buying 15mg but using half for maintenance. Although actually still losing. I will have to stop due to shelf life. My next pen has already expired..

@Londonlady365 Oh that’s rubbish :( I just pushed my next delivery back so it won’t come until I’ve finished this pen, and hopefully the new one will have a decent expiry date on it too 🤞🏼

@Friedslice Did that work? I haven't tried. I thought they would question a 2 month gap. I use aj hill

My 12.5 and 15 have had 2 months on them. The 10mg had longer. Hoping with 15mg shortage I might get longer

@Londonlady365 Yeah, I’m with Voy and they let me change the next date to end of October which is about 2 months after my last one. I know a few suppliers only let you push back by a few weeks / 1 month but I just messaged voy and they changed it.
All the ones I’ve had apart from my 2.5mg have had dates in to next year, so it’s strange as I presumed they would be the same wherever they’re from as they all come from the same Eli Lilly company don’t they 🫤

@Friedslice maybe I will give it a try. Its been 6 weeks since my last order. Do voy ask for photos etc.

I think the higher doses are maybe older stock. My lower doses had longer dates.

@Londonlady365 Yeah, I had to provide a photo when I first started, then they asked for an updated one before my first 10mg pen.

That's me out I'm afraid😪

My next 15mg had a date of 2/25 so that's good. I managed 8 injections out of 15mg pen but I broke it trying to get the last two out and had to start a new pen. The new pen did feel more effective so maybe it loses some potency after first use. But no other issues.