Mounjaro in the fridge

[whyaretheylikethis]

I've had a pen in the fridge since August, two doses used. Was taking it weekly up until a holiday in August, then kinda thought, I'll see how I get on without it. I was at maintenance so not looking to loose any more weight, however I have probably put a couple of lb on, which isnt the end of the world.

Really starting to feel the hunger creaping back in though and aware the food noise is now a lot like it used to be.

Would you use the remaining doses? I know its frownded upon, but its expensive and feel like throwing away two doses is a bit silly.

Anyone used them, is it ok? Or should I be on the safe side and bin?

I'll check the liquid content in the pen, is still clear or cloudy? If still clear then I'll still use it.

I wouldn't use it, personally. That would be my decision based on it being open past it's usage guidance by 10 weeks plus. So well beyond.

No one should be telling you that using it will be ok. The risks are that it is contaminated and has bacteria in it, or other things that will cause you an issue if you inject it. And/or it has degraded and the medication is no longer effective, and may have broken down into chemicals that are unpleasant if you inject them. If it is cloudy or has particulates in, do not use it.

So, the choice as to what to do is yours alone. The 100% safe thing to do is to throw it away.

I would also, separately, have a proper think about long term maintenance, and whether it might be better to plan for it with a maintenance friendly pharmacy.

I'm not telling you it's safe and okay to do.
But I make a 12.5mg pen last 5 months.
Your call.

I've made a pen last for 8 weeks before but your pen could've been open 3 months ago, do you remember when in august it was?
I've seen posts of some having a 10mg pen and getting 5mg doses so make it last 10 weeks incl golden dose. Its a risk so its upto you whether to take it but if you are going to order a new pen anyway, I wouldn't risk it and would bin it and just use the new pen.

How? And was it still effective months later? I've heard efficacy can reduce over time.

No, too long for me, but people do, I think they are ok until they one time they aren’t, but I guess if desperate you’d consider it, if you’re not desperate buy a new pen,

12 clicks a week to give 2.5mg. has held my weight stable within a 2kg range. Can tell when it's wearing off as I get ravenous.

Still clear...
I think it was around 18th August last dose...

I'm not desperate, just don't want to be wasteful either and do worry that places who offer maintenance won't take me on now as its been a while since my last dose so would it still be classed as maintenance and probably no longer in the 'obese' BMI range ( which is thanks to MJ!! )

** Edited spelling mistake

Have a look at https://monj.co.uk/restarting-mounjaro-uk/ for information about restarting with a lower BMI.

If you did your first dose from that pen on the 11th August, then the pen has been open for 98 days. 68 days past the usage guideline.

The "wastage" happened already, when the medication went out of date. The discussion now is not about whether to waste medication, but whether or not to take out of date medication.

Doesn’t matter if anyone frowns upon it or gleefully cheers you on, as you will get both, and some in between.

I’m in between, I will use a pen a week or two over 30 days, but not several weeks as for me the risks are unknown and can only increase with time and based on current lack of any credible information I am not willing to take it that far (or explain to any A&E Dr I was that reckless 🤣). It will probably be ok, 99% of the time, but you could be the 1% person - there has been a couple of posts in here over the last 16 months where people using older pens were ill (one in hospital), but obviously not 100% certain it was the old pen that caused it.

You should disregard anecdotal accounts and make your decision based on your own attitude to risk. Regardless of any frowns or cheers, only you will face the consequences.

I’m pretty lax but I wouldn’t use it. Sorry!

Some people buy high dose pens and give themselves smaller doses to make it last longer with no problems. Personally, I would use it if the liquid didn't look cloudy but that's me and you need to decide for yourself as the risk is on you.

What dosage is it? If not 2.5mg you really shouldn't be starting straight back on that irrespective of using an old pen or not.

It’s 2.5. I never moved over 2.5mg the whole time I was on it as it was still working, having steady 1-2lbs a week losses with no side affects.

my mounjaro pens have all had an expiry date on them, my current one is November 2026. So yours should have an expiry date of at least August 2026? I think that should be okay to use.

@Isobel201No, that expiry date only applies to an unopened pen (that is also stored in the fridge). Once a pen has had a dose taken out of it, it then has a 30 day expiry. This is all explained in the paper leaflet that came with the pen.

oh okay, tbh I didn't read that bit, I just use the max dosage as I don't pay for mounjaro.

I’m not sure what you mean about “max dosage”. I’m taking about normal pen use. It doesn’t matter whether you get an NHS prescription for Mounjaro or it’s a paid for private prescription. The medication is exactly the same and has the same paper patient information leaflet. Which everyone should read in its entirety, and check first if you have any questions or confusion.

The manufacturer instructions say that as soon as a pen has been used for one dose, it should be used within 30 days. That’s all.

I make a pen last 10 weeks. Not sure I would want to use beyond that - but if it’s less effective it doesn’t matter, so it’s the infection risk.. you’ll just have to decide if it’s a risk you can take.

I'd say it's fine. I have only been able to tolerate microdosing so I make pens last for ages. Theoretically it may not be as potent if it has been "open" for months, but as long as it's been in the fridge and is within the expiry date, you're ok.

I’d personally be happy to use it.

@whyaretheylikethis I think you need a longer term plan, no point in just taking 2 shots unless you’ve worked out what you want to do long term.
There are plenty of pharmacy’s who support long term maintenance if you decide you want to go down that route, you’d just need to show your prescribing history as long as your BMI isn’t below about 21 most would support you starting again.
If you don’t want to take an ongoing maintenace dose then I wouldn’t bother taking what you’ve got left as it won’t do enough.

Also there are pharmacies that will support maintenance. You’ll have to start again from 2.5mg but provided you show your history should be able to order, try Swift. There are others but I am using them.