A user of Mounjaro has shared their experience after unintentionally overdosing with the debated ‘golden dose’.
In case you missed it, Mounjaro, known by its chemical name tirzepatide, is primarily a drug used to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and has also received approval for obesity treatment.
In recent years, there’s been a notable increase in the number of individuals turning to weight loss injections. A recent medical survey indicates that approximately 12 percent of U.S. adults are utilizing glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs.
The ‘golden dose’, often referred to as the ‘fifth dose’, consists of extra fluid found at the bottom of each pen, which includes four standard doses of the medication.
To maximize usage, some individuals are using this leftover fluid as a fifth dose.
Numerous social media users have suggested that a syringe and needle can be used to extract the remnants, according to The Daily Mail. However, healthcare professionals warn that this practice could lead to serious health risks.
On platforms such as Reddit and the UK forum Mumsnet, a worried Mounjaro user sought advice after inadvertently taking an excessive amount of the ‘fifth dose’.
While many have found extracting the liquid relatively straightforward, some users have reported difficulty in accurately measuring their usual dose with the remaining liquid.
One individual recounted their experience: “I’m normally so anal about following instructions, I can’t believe I just did this… I’m on month 2 of 15mg with steady progress and minimal side effects so far. Money is a bit tight this time of year so I wanted to use that magical fifth dose for the first time. I’ve never been able to force turn the pen so I got 1ml insulin syringes. Today when I went to take the magic dose, I completely misread what to do and ended up injecting with 1ml. A while later I realised 1 dose is actually 0.6ml. Now I’m freaking out – what should I do here?”
In another similar instance, a user wrote: “I’ve just drawn up 1ml out of my 5th dose on a 10mg and taken it – so stupid, I’ve taken a 5th dose loads and never made that mistake. Anything I can do? Too late now I guess!”
Meanwhile, a Mumsnet user shared: “I bought insulin syringes to extract the last dose. I googled and it said 1ml was 1mg. I drew out what I could from the last of the pen and it was 1ml so I just thought I’d have less this week and see how I get on. I think now I should have only taken 0.3ml!”
Other users recommended seeking medical help due to potential side effects from such overdoses.
According to Simple Online Pharmacy, “Weight loss injections have been carefully measured to ensure the correct amount of medication within each dose. However, in the extra buffer liquid, this might not be the case – due to the volume not being as measured, the concentration of Mounjaro that is contained within the buffer might be higher or lower than the required amount. This can lead to under or over-dosage, each of which carry their own risks.”
The pharmacy further explains that taking an excessive amount of Mounjaro can result in various side effects.
Professor Penny Ward, a pharmaceutical expert at King’s College London, issued a caution about the ‘golden dose’. “People are reading these tips on online forums and being tempted to use them to save money,” she stated. “But they’re risking serious side effects from overdosing by doing this — as well as the potential to develop a life-threatening infection. It’s not a good idea at all.”
The expert noted that the practice poses life-threatening risks, from infections to abscesses and potential overdosing. She emphasized, “These injections contain a slight overfill to ensure the full recommended dose is delivered each time. But by drawing this out with a separate syringe and using it as a so-called fifth dose, you’re exposing yourself to serious risk of infection.”
A UK Meds article, reviewed by GP Dr. Alexis Missick, also highlighted the dangers of inaccurately measuring the residue, which could lead to either an underdose or overdose.
The article states: “Attempting to use the leftover liquid as a ‘fifth dose’ can lead to inaccurate dosing, resulting in underdosing (which may reduce effectiveness) or overdosing (which increases the risk of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea).”
Eli Lilly and Company, the makers of Mounjaro, said: “The Mounjaro (tirzepatide) KwikPen is designed to deliver a fixed volume of Mounjaro solution at each dose. The KwikPen contains sufficient solution to allow for the necessary priming before each injection and the delivery of a total of 4 doses (one dose given weekly for a 28-day supply of medicine). Medication will remain in the KwikPen cartridge following the delivery of the 4 fixed doses, however, an additional complete dose cannot be dialled. The KwikPen must be discarded after 4 doses or 30 days after first use.”