Using a pen that’s been open six months

[RockChik]

Has anyone used a MJ pen that’s been open a number of months? I have one that’s been open since the end of March, always kept refrigerated, and want to start taking it again. Thoughts..?!

I think that’s a bit too long to be honest. Although I’m happy to use a refrigerated pen for 2 or 3 months. I think you should order a new one.
The risks are that there is a slight risk of infection in a pen that has been opened for over 28 days, at first a low risk which increases over time, ie-bugs have started growing in the solution. The other problem with pens that have been opened too long is that the drug becomes less effective, so won’t work as well.

i think that’s too long but your decision. I stretch pens to 10-12 weeks. But that’s with weekly use.

I wouldn't want to use a pen longer than 3 months.

I use pens for 8-10 weeks. My provider allows 8 weeks so 10 is pushing that a little, but I personally feel ok with that. I only ever take one syringed dose from the pen (when there was still excess liquid) as it feels less hygienic keeping after air has passed into the vial with the vacuum. But that is me.

6 months would definitely be well outside my comfort zone.

There is no way I’d do this, it’s properly expired and will have degraded as well as potentially developed harmful bacteria. Throw it out.

That doesn’t make sense, needles are sterile and it’s just using the pen as a vial.

6 months is a long time.

So let's say it means bacteria only double once every 3 days (that's a very very generous best case scenario here). In 6 months you've had 180 days ish, so that's 60 lots of 3 days. So if you had 1 bacteria on day one, then by 6 months you could have one trillion trillion bacteria, whereas after 3 months it would only be a trillion and after 2 months it would be a billion.

Obviously none of those are accurate numbers but it should give you an idea of the scale and why 6 months is so much riskier than 2 months.

Whenever I extract using a syringe there is a bit of push back and forth getting the right measurement, with the vacuum, where the medication comes out into the syringe then goes back into the vial. Maybe I am just no good at it.

It personally puts me off using a syringe twice, it’s never really been an issue as with the doses I use there is rarely much left, but if you are comfortable with it then up to you.

Ok that’s kind of weird but it’s still sterile, as said and jist like a vial.

For me it would depend on when the use by date is and whether you wiped the pen after you last used it.

Could I ask which provider allows you to use a pen for 8 weeks?

Hmm potentially life or limb threatening infection vs throwing away max £150 or so.

Let me think …

@RockinCara swift doctor if you have a consultation and a clinical reason (saving money doesn’t count)

Swift dr. The gap between my last two orders was longer than 8 weeks. Approved same day no issues

I’d be really cautious about using a MJ pen that has been open for that long, even if it has been refrigerated. Once a pen has been in use beyond the manufacturer’s specified in-use period, refrigeration doesn’t necessarily make it suitable to use again. I’d check the official storage instructions and ask your prescriber or pharmacist before injecting it rather than taking a chance with an old pen

Thanks guys - just ordered with Swift Dr (I haven’t ordered anything for months and bmi is below 28) but they are very sensible and listened to my reasons and explanations. I really liked them. (They were swift too!)

I’d be really cautious with one that’s been open since March, even if it’s stayed refrigerated. I’d check the manufacturer’s storage and in-use guidance or ask a pharmacist before using it again

I’d definitely check this before using it again, as being refrigerated doesn’t necessarily mean it’s still suitable after that long. The manufacturer or a pharmacist should be able to confirm whether the pen is safe to use