The extra dose of Mounjaro

[mamabeeboo]

I'm really excited to start what I hope is my LAST weightloss journey and just on day 2.

I have heard about this extra dose at the end of MJ - and advice on what you all did for taking it? I'd like to save some money if it's just sitting there in the pen.

I have read that the extra dose is the same as the standard dose of 2.5mg.

At the 5th week, are you all taking the extra 2.5mg?

I looked at breaking the pen which looks easy enough, but I don't have any extra needles so will need to buy..? Or get a syringe...?

What sort of syringe would I need or ask for to buy from the chemist to get it out? (in the UK?)

It’s a compounded version, very popular in the US and specifically legitimate there when Mounjaro was in short supply. It claims that VLS is an FDA approved supplier - some suppliers are on the FDA “Green list” while others are not.
Shouldn’t be available in the UK though.

It has been reported that there are several fake products on the UK market. All VLS products will have a security code on the label for product verification on the site below. Fake products often contain different chemicals that can cause harm if used.

vitality-life-science.io/counterfeit/

Should be a code on the box.

Anything called Tirzepatide from VLS is not legal to sell to people in the UK. Doesn't matter if VLS say their product is not counterfeit, it still isn't legal to sell it in the UK.

Anyone can create a QR code and print it on a box to link to a website that says "Verified", it means nothing. These products are purporting to be prescription only medication, they must be legally prescribed by a regulated UK pharmacy or other regulated prescriber, and the only legal tirzepatide product in the UK is Mounjaro, which is only manufactured by Eli Lilly.

No one should be buying anything from this VLS website.

It’s true that VLS are not authorised to sell products to the UK market (yet). But some individuals will still buy them if they can, especially since they’re often cheaper than Eli Lilly's Mounjaro.

The QR code confirms that the product is genuine and from VLS, not that it’s authorised for sale in the UK. Still, it’s better to verify that it actually contains Tirzepatide rather than an unknown or potentially unsafe substance.

Another oner to keep an eye out for is Retatrutide (also known by its developmental name LY-3437943), which is an experimental once-weekly injectable drug being developed by Eli Lilly and Company for the treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related metabolic conditions like fatty liver disease. It is not yet approved for use and is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, which are expected to run until at least 2026.

Personally I only purchase through trusted sources and via a UK issued prescription, by a pharmacist registered with the GPhC.

Below are the best prices I have found from a trusted UK pharmacist so far. I use them for Mounjaro. Delivery is quick and products are well packaged. But people should always do their own research.

My latest pen, 15mg, holds exactly 4 doses. The spare amount (which I did use) has been removed. Suspect this will be the case for all strengths in new stock

That is very sad news - not surprising but what a shame 😡

As per my above post.

Can you post a pic, you must be one of the first to get one

I would not trust, or even lightly suggest they are in any way appropriate to trust just because they have a QR code, a company that knowingly produces drugs to be sold illegally where patients do not have the protection of GPhC guidelines to ensure safety.

It they, or their distributors, are willing to disregard those laws, who is to say they are not willing to also disregard things such as robust quality control, storage and transport conditions etc.

They are as risky than any other illegal drug.

Is it the same as the current pen with just less fill (plunger looks like a dose already done) or a different pen size/shape?

It would be interesting how many clicks it allows before it locks? (current pens allow 257-258 clicks - including priming)

I didn’t suggest that people should buy these products, only that if someone already has, it’s better to be safe than sorry by at least checking what they’ve received.

I completely agree that a QR code alone doesn’t make a company trustworthy, especially one knowingly selling medicines outside UK regulations. It’s possible that VLS is regulated in another country but not in the UK, and more than likely these products are being ordered from overseas and then re-sold within the UK on the black market.

I was merely providing advice that if you do go this route, it’s better to check than to assume.

Is it the same as the current pen with just less fill (plunger looks like a dose already done) or a different pen size/shape?

The pen is similar but has slightly changed design, so there are just 4 clearly marked doses. The last one does look slightly bigger but definitely not a full dose worth

New pen

When did you get this please @aniloD and where from? I'm really worried that if the 4 dose pens are in circulation already it's basically costing an extra 20% on top of rhe September price hikes 😱

The point is they cannot "check what they have received" is a properly quality controlled, stored and transported drug. It is better to bin and buy as you say from a registered GPhC pharmacy.

Can you turn to see what the label says for the fill? (thanks and sorry)

@aniloD it okay, no need, just checked my own pens and they don't say 2.4ml in 3ml of solution on the actual pen (must have seen it elsewhere)

That looks exactly the same as mine.

have you taken. Dose form it?

I didn't mention anything about it being "a properly quality controlled, stored and transported drug". All I’m saying is that if someone has already purchased a product from VLS, however they may have done so, and they still intend to use it, I would personally at least check the QR code on the website, to try to confirm that it is (as far as possible with these kinds of unregulated products) genuinely from the company listed on the packaging and not some fake product made in a back street garage somewhere.

@MarmiteLover01 it's been explained that "checking" the QR code means nothing at all, other than that VLS have made the product or at least the box that it's in. Other than that, you still have no idea what's actually in the pen, or any idea about how it's been made, stored, etc etc. It is no assurance of anything. And anyone with any sense should report to the MHRA that they've been duped into purchasing illegal POM and not in any way take or use the product.

, @aniloD - thanks for sharing.

i think all my pens have had those marks and I’ve still got 5 doses-worth.

my 10mg is about £300 now.. I think the extra dose is about a £60 saving.

I hope you do manage to get the 5th dose 🤞🤞

Thank you, but I don't need anything explaining to me, I am aware of what I have said and I have said nothing to the contrary.

Although at least you are correct in the fact that hopefully "checking" the QR code means that VLS have made the product, or at least the box that it's in, rather than some dodgy back street counterfeiter.

Unfortunately, with Eli Lilly and many of the UK distributers being so greedy, people are going to look elsewhere and potentially take risks that they wouldn't normally due to the price increases.

You can get a legitimate 10mg pen for around £249.99 if you do your research. This website is helpful in listing many of the UK suppliers and their prices.

https://monj.co.uk/mounjaro-price-list-non-discounted-uk/

10mg £249.99