Could my Mounjaro maintenance dose now be too strong?

[MrsMiagi]

Lost 80 pounds on mounjaro (went up to 12.5mg) and have been maintaining since Jan by reducing dose and increasing calories, (have been on 5mg since the end of May)
I stockpiled before the price increase last year so had lots of 10 and 12mg pens. I also track calories and eat around 1800 now. (5 ft 4, usually between 124 and 126 pounds)
Pens last a while because i take smaller doses. However after my last 5mg dose i have really struggled to eat and i really dont like it! I also felt nauseous a day or two after jabbing. The effect seems to be really strong but i started mj in feb 2025 so not new to it.
Could it be my previous pen was becoming less effective (kept in the fridge but used over 10 weeks). Anyone else found this?
Could this be a sign to reduce my dose? I am at the gym 4 days a week, plus home workouts 2- 3 times a week. I need the calories for energy so need to be able to eat!

It's not less effective, it's more effective so acting how it should with appetite and suppression and satiety hence struggling to eat and yes it's a sign of a strong dose. You've probably lost more body fat and have better blood sugar control, so don't need as high a dose now.
I was upto 15mg in sept 25 at bmi 25 when I was so low with anehdonia and didn't want to socialise and struggling to eat, lost 6lbs that month so been coming down since because each dose becomes stronger varying between 2-8 weeks over time.
A few weeks ago 5mg got too strong so now I'm at 4.33mg. I've been counting clicks from 10mg pens like you and taking them for 10-12 weeks too all fine. I've also lost another stone coming down now bmi 22.
I want to tone my body but often too tired to exercise and it can make me feel low and nauseous first few days after I jab. I also work and commute 11-12hr days 5 days a week and have to work 1 in 4 Saturdays overtime too. I have a stash of 3 x 10mg pens and a 7.5mg pen that will last me around a year or more so ill stop ordering after my next pen, but I'll keep coming down by listening to my body and drop doses when needed. Then I'll come off hopefully and have energy to exercise.
Would recommend reducing the dose, I didn't want to halve it in one go to 2.5 so going slowly, it's still strong though! I'll do 4mg next then 3.75mg.

@MrsMiagi - I’ve not experienced it myself as I’ve only ever used a pen for a golden dose, but I’ve seen lots of mentions of a drop in efficacy when pens are used over a longer period. Maybe it’s a bit of both - you’re needing less and the pen dropped in efficacy so you noticed the change in the new pen more?

I think as you lose fat your blood sugar control is better so you can manage on a lower dose. I’d cut to 3.75mg, prioritise protein and lift weights (you say going to gym, prioritise weights)

Thanks for your replies. I don't do any cardio in the gym, just use the machines and dumbells to go as heavy as i can. I think i will drop the dose and see how i get on. Im not losing or gaining on the scales but my composition has noticeably changed.