Open pen for three months

[RockChik]

I’m considering starting MJ again after a two/three month break. I’ve got some 5mg and 7.5mg pens stockpiled in the fridge, but obviously don’t want to start on such a high dosage. My concern is that I will be using the pen for about three months, and I know it’s supposed to be discarded after one month, but I obviously don’t want to waste such a lot of money. So my question is (at the risk of being lambasted) has anyone used a pen for that length of time with success and without issues?!

I’ve used for 11-12 weeks kept in fridge. No issues. I know it’s not within the guidance.

Yes, there will be people who have used a pen for that length of time without apparent issue. That doesn't mean that you definitely won't have issues.

The risks are contamination and degradation. Scrupulous hygiene and keeping it in the fridge will reduce the risks, not eliminate them, so then it's your decision to take as to whether you personally are ok with those risks.

There are certain providers and other countries that prescribe the pens for longer. I use currently for 8/9 weeks and had no issues.

Yes, keep in fridge, wipe pen thoroughly with alcohol.
As PP, it's at your own risk, but I've used pens for 3 months been OK.

Yes, I keep the pen in fridge, wipe pen thoroughly with alcohol every time.
I've used pens for 3 months been fine.

Can you not just order one 2.5mg and then move to your 5mg?

I use mine for up to 6 months. My prescriber (a doctor-led service, not UK) says that in their experience the pens remain effective for that long. They prescribe 15mg pens for extended use at lower doses. At the moment I’m on a maintenance dose of 5mg from a 15 pen, so with residual ‘golden’ doses that’s maybe 15 weeks.

I note, however, that they don’t state that the pens remain safe for that long. They don’t risk making that claim.

I’m careful with hygiene and keep in fridge door. When I travel, I do so only with last doses from a pen, so I don’t risk warming a pen which I’ll need for another couple of months. I’m not particularly risk-averse and am ok with this degree of experimentation. I suggested to my doctor that I didn’t mind paying for monthly, but he said that’d be daft, so I trusted him. Not entirely sure why, since little in my experience has taught me to trust doctors.

So yes, it works, but guaranteed safe it ain’t.

@ShrankLastWinter can I ask about storing the pen in the fridge door? What’s the reason for that? I was under the impression that the door is warmer and more variable in temp than the rest of the fridge.

Good question! Prescriber suggests door. I think because there’s no risk of it getting pushed to the back and freezing, which does render it unusable.

In all the info I have read it says never to put in fridge door as the temperature isnt stable. I put in a non see-through box in middle of fridge and keep a small fridge thermometer on top of the box.

Yes that’s what I do too @SexyFrenchDepression bar the fridge thermometer.

Mine is a smaller (drinks) fridge and is supposed to be 0-10° but the dial doesnt correlate to the temp so I wanted to check it was right. I assumed middle of the dial would be 5°, but no apparently not it seems 😂