Ordering then Storing

[RayofSunshine18]

I want to start mounjaro after Christmas, my BMI is over 30 and I would order online, but I am thinking of ordering before Christmas with a view to start on the 1st January (along with the rest of the world!). Can I store it for this long without using it?

Yes, the injection pens can be stored in the fridge, unused, up until the end of their expiry date month. Your supplier should provide you with a pen that has an expiry date of at least a month from now, although it's very much more likely to have an expiry date well into 2025.

It’s a strange one this. I have been wondering myself.

In theory the pens only last 30 days in storage in the fridge once they arrive (in an ice pack).

But this is tricky over the Xmas period - when post is a bit unpredictable and chemists are closed.

I was told that after that the drug becomes less effective, but I personally find it hard to believe that it would go downhill so quickly after only a couple of weeks extra. Two weeks’ leeway would surely be fine, despite the manufacturers claim. But obviously I can’t be sure.

No that's not right, they have individual expiry dates on, my latest one is Dec 2025

@SilenceInside Do you mean the expiry date (which is usually a few months later at least) applies if the pen is unopened? I am a bit confused I think.

So it just depends whether it is unopened or not, is that what you’re saying? Seems a bit strange and unnecessary that they send it in an ice pack then.

So, for example, my first pen says expiry date April 2025. But I was told by pharmacy it should be used within 30’days.

Yes, the expiry date marked on the pen is how long you can store it for when it is unopened.

Once you have done one injection from it and the pen is used, you then have 30 days to use it, regardless of whether it's stored in the fridge or at room temp. That's because once the seal is punctured, there is a very small risk of contamination and bacterial growth.

Oh right!

How could I miss this!

That changes everything. Seems a bit OTT to send it out in an ice pack then? Any idea why?

Is it because it can be stored unopened until the expiry date - but must be kept in the fridge? Sorry if I’m being a bit slow here.

I’m glad you asked this question OP!

The ice packs are needed to keep it cool whilst unopened for longer term storage. It needs to be kept between 2 and 8 degrees C for longer term storage so that the active ingredient doesn't start to degrade. At room temperature it will last for 30 days, which is why you can keep it at room temp once you've started to use it.

It's a similar principle as many food items that you keep in the fridge, they have a longer expiry date, but then say "once open consume within 3 days" or whatever.

Storage before use and between doses have different rules. Before it's opened it needs to be stored in the fridge (or ice pack) to make sure it lasts until the use by date, which can be months away.

Once opened it no longer needs to be refrigerated, but must be used within 30 days. Though, I put it back in the fridge between users anyway, because it just feels like what you should do.

If they sent it without the ice pack, the 30 days would start from when it was posted, so you wouldn't have the option to keep it in the fridge and use later. (This is relevant if you use the bonus dose, as pens then lasts 5 weeks but you get sent a new one after 4)

All make sense now. Thank you.

Yes I am going to order my January pen early as I am sticking at 2.5mg. I think anyone over 2.5mg is fairly safe from the ‘rush’ as everyone starts at 2,5mg.

Thank you everyone ! So essentially, I could order next week, keep it in the fridge and if the use by date is far enough away, start my first dose in early January. I just wanted to order before the post Christmas rush!

Correct