Injection site reaction

[yummumto3girls]

Hi, is it normal for the site of your monjaro injection to react? Site is red, hot and itchy for about a 2cm circle around the needle site. This has only happened since I have gone up to 7.5. Started on my tummy last week, tried my arm this week and it’s the same. Hot flushes have been all over the place, achy - could be separate but not sure. Have others had this?

The patient information leaflet lists an injection site reaction or an allergic reaction as a "common" side effect that may affect 1 in 10 people. It's often the benzyl alcohol that's used as a preservative that can cause an allergic reaction rather than tirzepatide itself.

You could try an oral antihistamine and/or an antihistamine cream on the site.

Mine started when I changed supplier and they sent shorter/different brand of needle (BD Viva 4mm). Red and insanely itchy, would last 2-3 weeks. I had 2-3 red blotches at any one time.

Provider suggested longer needle and I tried their BD Viva 6mm. It was still red, not as itchy, and redness didn't last as long. I think because the slightly longer needle takes the medication further away from the sensitive skin layer to the less reactive subcutaneous fat layer.

I then had a couple of spare Novofine 6mm needles from previous supplier, I tried them and reaction stopped so I bought a box of them and haven't had a reaction to them, or the syringes I use for my 5th dose since. Might have been the BD Viva needles just didn't agree with me, maybe a coating/lubricant on them.

I have read others saying allowing the medication to reach room temperature before injection helped them.

I have this every time. Antihistamines help. Will try the longer needles!

Yep, buy a box of longer needles. 6mm should be good.

I have this - it's been going for weeks. I've tried longer needles, different needles, anti histamines, anti itch creams etc etc nothing has made a difference except applying hydrocortisone straight after the jag (& repeatedly) and time.

The reaction got worse over a few weeks but seems to be getting better/less now after a few more weeks. I'm wary of upping my dose in case it's the drug I'm reacting to rather than the preservative...

sorry you've got this hopefully you'll find what works for you & it diminishes soon

I had red, big, itchy reactions weekly for 3 months, I left it 1hr to warm up before jabbing after I read it on here, no more reactions 2.5 months on now!

My reaction depends on the timing of showers. If I have a shower before the injection then there's nothing but a shower afterwards on the same day causes a raised red patch and itch. Also application of calamine cream immediately after the injection and repeat throughout the day helps a lot.

Thanks for all of your responses, really reassuring that I am not alone! Have felt really rubbish the last few days aswell so hoping it is not linked. Will look into different needles.