Mounjaro injection site reactions

[Pinkriver269]

Anybody else getting this sort of reaction at the injection site?

I’ve been on Mounjaro 4 months. This began happening when I moved up from 2.5 to 5 (excuse the lovely images) 3 months ago. It always flares up around 24 hours after the injection, even when I take antihistamine before and continue taking the antihistamine for 2-3 days after.

A little concerned as this is more swollen and worse than the last reaction. They’re not really getting better even after a few weeks of being on 5. Concerned how much worse it’ll get if I try moving up to 7.5 (which I haven’t done due to this fear). I’m not scared of this reaction per se, just worried it’ll start to become more systemic the higher the dose. Cannot see my GP for love nor money so no support or advice available there.

Is this normal? How have others dealt with this? Any tips? Thank you.

I had a bruise and a lump once, think maybe I had been awkward when injecting but not sure.
Not had it happen before or since.
Are you varying injection sites?
Can you try injecting in stomach if you usually inject in thighs?
What about asking your local chemist if gp is impossible?

Hi I also started a thread about this a few weeks ago. I have been getting a reaction since about week 10, am now on week 18.
I can’t see your pics but I get a red itchy patch about 24hrs after injecting that lasts almost the week now.
It hasn’t got worse and a very helpful poster said they had a big improvement when being more careful priming their needle and making sure no liquid dripped down the needle before injecting.

Hi,
I started getting injection site reactions the same as you when I moved on to 5mg, 24 hours after I’ve jabbed, no idea why, same needles, same wipes, I still get them but no worse when I’ve gone up doses (currently taking 8.5mg), I put an antihistamine cream on the area which helps with the itching, ice cube if it’s a bit hot. I think it’s mentioned as a common side effect in the MJ leaflet….. not much help but you’re definitely not alone with this side effect

I don’t think it relates to the strength of the dose so it shouldn’t worsen if you titrate up.

I don’t think it relates to the strength of the dose so it shouldn’t worsen if you titrate up.

You could try a longer/different brand of pen needles. Do not wipe your skin with the wipes before injecting to see if it helps

Ouch, looks sore. I had reactions that lasted 10-14 days each time, they were red and insanely itchy and I had to stop myself from scratching, but not raised and sore looking like yours.

Did you change supplier / needle length brand between 2.5mg and 5mg? That was my problem, I think I was reacting to the needle lubricant, swapped to original brand of needles and it stopped.

You could try longer needles, up to 8mm to try to take the medication away from sensitive skin layer.

Don't use wipe on skin, do use on vial and allow a few seconds to dry

Take out of fridge 30m or so before using so at room temperature

If you cannot see your GP, your local pharmacist may be able to look at it for you in a side room and advise.

I assume you are getting it from a GPhC registered pharmacy, did you try asking them for advice and show them these pictures?

Very common. I also get it with my migraine injections.

I take oral antihistamines anyway so I know the do nothing much for my site reactions, but Anthisan cream works a treat. I usually apply it a few minutes after the injections the again as needed when the itch arrives.

Those look like my normal. Generally they flatten & spread over a few days. Mine have lasted fewer days & get less severe after several months.

I have seen suggestions for & tried-
pen at room temp
change needle type
longer needle
oral antihistamine
local anti itch cream - anthisan
hydrocortisone cream
ice the area

the one that makes a difference is using an ice pack to get the area really cold before I jag & then again half an hour after (I assume the vasoconstriction means less med is absorbed locally), (plus cream for comfort)
I realised my reaction was far worse if I jag straight after a hot shower - this is the reverse.

Started happening to me plus massive bruising after 14 months. I’ve put this down to weight loss. I’ve lost that cushion! I’ve started with a cold compress afterwards. So bizarre as I’d been absolutely fine for over a year then bam!

I got a itchy big red flat reaction every week for 4 months until I started leaving my pen out to warm up for around 1hr before injecting, not a single reaction 6.5 months later. Worth a try as it's easy and free.

I get exactly the same thing and was wondering if it lessons over time? Been on 10mg for the past few months and it’s stayed the same.

I have been getting bruising on my legs tand it takes two weeks for the bruising to die down. I tried my tummy last night.. which I hated but no bruising.

Now the choice is between looking like a junkie with bruised thighs or keep on injecting tum and try my arms...

To cut a long story short, have you tried different areas?

I’ve had the same issue in the last month. Haven’t done anything different in the previous three months and now getting slight itchy red patch where I’ve injected. Apply a cold compress seems to help me and wearing loose clothing too

I moved to my belly for the same reason - it took weeks for the mottling on my legs to disappear!

I'm bruising with every jab now though. The bruises on my belly last 2-3 weeks, so I've always got at least 3 on the go at any time 🙄

I usually inject in my thigh, and I ALWAYS get a bruise. Sometimes just a small, barely noticable one,other times a bloody great shiner. I also got a lump under the skin once,which took about a week to go.

Hi,
I was taking Mounjaro 2.5mg for four weeks without experiencing any problems. I have now increased to 5mg and took my first 5mg injection three days ago. After this injection, I developed a red/pink, raised bump around the injection site.
I never had any reaction when using the 2.5mg dose.

When I first started the 2.5mg, I took the injection directly after removing it from the fridge, and afterwards I did not keep the medication in the fridge.
This week, I started the 5mg dose, which I purchased from a different supplier. I again administered the injection directly after taking it out of the fridge.

Approximately 24 hours later, I developed a red/pink, raised and itchy area around the injection site. It also feels slightly warm.

I have been using an ice pack to try to reduce the discomfort, but I am still waiting for it to improve.

I am now concerned and quite scared about taking my second 5mg dose, which is due on Monday. Could you please advise me whether this reaction is normal and whether it is safe for me to take the next 5mg dose?

I would also appreciate your advice on whether administering the injection directly from the fridge could have contributed to this reaction.

Excuse for ugly Photo
😁
Many thanks for your help and advice.

@PaulAna if you re-read the paper patient information leaflet that comes with your Mounjaro pen, you will see that injection site reactions are listed as a "common" possible side effect that may affect up to 1 in 10 people. It describes itching or redness as symptoms. You could try taking an oral antihistamine and/or using an antihistamine cream on the site. It doesn't matter whether the injection is straight from the fridge or not, it's 0.6ml which is a tiny amount of fluid and it being a bit cold won't cause that reaction.

However, I am not a HCP and you should check all of that with whoever is currently prescribing your Mounjaro and check with them about it and see what they advise.

I can't tell you it's safe or not to take your next injection. A skin reaction like yours is not the same thing as a system wide allergic reaction like anaphylaxis and experiencing a skin reaction isn't likely to make a serious allergic reaction any more likely. Again with the caveat that I am not a HCP.

@PaulAna mine looks like that every week, no matter where I do it or if I let the pen warm up. I don't swab skin first on advice of something or other but it makes no difference. It's not dangerous as far as I can tell and certainly doesn't stop me.