Bonus - dose … plunger wouldn’t move

[Keepitup88]

So I’ve done a lot of research about the 5th/bonus dose in the Mounjaro pen. My pen is on 29 days open so I thought I would give it a try. I used pliers to get past the ‘click’ and wound the pen to one. The needle was firmly secured , the issue is I have ‘administered ‘ the dose and the plunger inside the vial has not moved and there is still the same amount of medicine left. Has anyone had this? I think the plunger is broke now maybe - the needle is on properly and a few droplets came out when I tested.

It sounds like the plunger isn't working properly now.

I always use an insulin syringe to draw out the dose so you could do this? It's also helpful to actually measure how much the extra dose is as sometimes you get more. I tend to get 0.8ml instead of 0.6ml.

Just ordered some - thanks!!!

Do you have to prime / check for bubbles after pulling the liquid out with the syringe? @CesarSoubreyon

I think the new style pens don't allow this, mine didn't last week.n

My current pen does

Just accept its too risky to try and get a "bonus dose"

@Keepitup88yes you do. Hold the syringe with the needle up, tap and then prime a few drops.

I keep reading that the pens do this (wouldn’t know as have always used a syringe) so suspect there has been a redesign of the mechanics!

@lasagnellerisky? How?

If it is at all broken don't do it

@lasagnelle sorry I'm not following? I've been using the bonus dose every month and it's fine. If the pen is broken when you receive it, then yes obviously don't use it, but if it's broken by you to access one last dose, what possible problem do you think there might be?

@Puppylucky yes I’ve used all 4 doses fine. I watched several videos and decided to try to hard twist to get a 5th dose. Did the hard twist fine but when going to inject the plunger inside does not move and I don’t think much has come out. You are right that the pen isn’t broken / wasn’t broken for the 4 doses! I’ve ordered some insulin needles recommended on the Mounjaro group. I don’t see a problem extracting the medicine as the inside where the medicine hasn’t been tampered with it just won’t plunge out with the pen x

I think @lasagnelle is thinking that maybe the pen was broken in the first place which it wasn’t x

If you still have it, try a new needle, could be that. Even of u say you primed it fine.. I would still try a new needle and see if it plunges..

Shame to waste any.

I think the MJ pens aren't half as good as the wegovy ones.

I just use a syringe now for bonus dose. There's usually at least 6/7ml

Could you please link to the syringes?

Keepitup88

You just draw it into the syringe, tap to make any bubbles go to the top, push out the air and prime. It's very easy, there are always videos to show how to do it online.

That’s what I’d also previously heard. Never had a problem before but it wouldn’t work today. Have ordered some insulin needles. These, hope they’re right https://www.amazon.co.uk/Precision-Dispensing-Accessories-Laboratory-Individually/dp/B0D8T7FGD1/ref=sr_1_8?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dX0B6OqBGP_xDGpHrwNIOpy5JYVubPWqqY1fIwDghx8qKDkOgKB2wj6cb3zG2fiUrWjczd1Iy5xQEHrwaLz1Gu2_3zfZwCFWGsf8CRE50I7bUOVrq7sM9LbTF6oqtSRNu8q-0futQd77qKXjRJcpk-98G9t8HI8j1ucrRA2EGHaEFwVxvB6Z5078pdiYtB9iN_CMMMfpLNam40-jMirO6We2rBzCROBrmM-QejeDV_wQF4lvYECUko_Djx3bhXJOvO8eS3lcuW5PskhDBixQY4OuThV_BbDBM6UDBbKAOO0.eO-nypa_BvaZ43zxybLgjUhGXR82dadZjt6ZpQMfmwM&dib_tag=se&keywords=insulin+needle&qid=1731347736&sr=8-8]]

Iml insulin syringes can be obtained from any needle exchange, within participating chemists

Oh right yes sorry ignore me I've misunderstood

Could you say what the expiry date was on the pen? I wonder if it is from a certain batch onwards. Annoyingly, I’d just ordered some extra needles to try this for the first time. I am too pathetic to use a syringe one!

I had the same thing a couple of pens back. The plunger would only go down about a third of the way. Luckily I had some insulin syringes to hand.

I haven’t tried the hard twist method again and now use insulin syringes for the bonus dose.

Same. I have not been able to get my bonus dose out of my last two pens, it is almost like the plunger bit just separates off. I have been using insulin syringes.

Same happened to me Friday before last! And as I had not ordered my next one went a week with whatever tiny bit it did administer! I’m considering buying syringes to use the next bonus dose but haven’t as yet.

Thanks all I’m going to do the syringe method. Ordered some suggested on here and arrive tomorrow

UPDATE - just done my ‘bonus dose’ - I had 8mm 30g (or something like that) needles - I def found the needles slightly bigger than the usual pen needles and needed to ‘push’ more into my stomach to get into the skin but it did not hurt (/sorry TMI!). I got just under 0.6ml (a full dose) out, I think there was a little less as when I did the ‘break the pen method’ I did get a small amount out then. This method with the insulin was super easy, followed a video on YouTube . Sterilised everything as per usual, will def do it again.
another note is I had a fair bit of air at the top when extracting (a good few mm) so I think it’s important to prime which I did to make sure all that air is gone before injecting.