Why You Shouldn’t Hack A Fifth Dose of Mounjaro

How do you take GLP-1 Medication?

“Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are administered through convenient pre-filled pens on a weekly basis. These injections can be easily self-administered into the upper arm, thigh, or stomach. These medications work by acting as appetite suppressants, imitating the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) which is released in the intestines after eating to make individuals feel full. Additionally, Mounjaro also targets the hormone glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) to help regulate metabolism and energy balance. Patients usually begin on a low dose and gradually increase to a higher maintenance dose over time. Many individuals start to see weight loss within a few weeks of starting these medications.

On the weight management programme at HANX, your monthly supply of Mounjaro or Wegovy comes in the form of a pre-filled KwikPen, or injection pen, which offers 4 fixed doses, to be taken once weekly. When you have taken these as advised, you might notice a little extra liquid still in the pen. This is ‘buffer’ liquid which is present to ensure there is enough liquid for priming before injection and the 4 prescribed doses. Priming is the process of preparing your injection pen, where you squirt a small amount of the liquid out of the needle to ensure there are no air bubbles in the syringe and that the needle is full with medication. Priming is important as it means you should always receive the correct dosage and it improves the accuracy and effectiveness of the injection. Therefore, the extra liquid you might see is not intended for a fifth dose and the pen is designed not to allow you to administer this.

However, wrongly-advised online forums have run with the idea that this liquid should be used rather than ‘wasted’ and share dangerous tips on how to hack this so-called golden dose (known as such because the medication is often nicknamed ‘liquid gold’) are being shared. 

So, Why Shouldn’t I Take A Fifth Dose of Mounjaro or Wegovy?

Tampering with injection pens to access a so-called ‘bonus’ dose isn’t a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, breaking open pens can introduce microbes into the medication, which can lead to serious infection. Secondly, the pen may be broken beyond use and an alternative means of administering the medication which is not regulated by your doctor, healthcare provider or pharmacist. Thirdly and very importantly, weight loss medication in injection pens has been carefully measured to ensure you receive 4 very precise doses. However, this may not be true for the remaining liquid in the pen and you run the risk of under or over-dosage if you take this. This runs the risk of side effects, with those who have attempted this ‘fifth dose’ have reported nausea, vomiting, constipation and stomach (abdominal) pain, and the possibility of far more serious effects. Do not use more Mounjaro or Wegovy than prescribed by the pharmacist on the programme, your GP or healthcare provider.

If you are worried that more than 3ml is left in your injection pen at the end of the four weeks, raise this in your follow up consultation and a prescribing pharmacist will be able to determine if you are using your pen correctly, or if there are any issues with functionality. After you have finished your four doses as prescribed, dispose of your pen in the sharps bin provided.

Why Are GLP-1 Medications So Expensive?

In the USA, the price a patient without health insurance can expect to pay around $1,000 to $1,200, partially due to the fact that the US does not negotiate this cost with the manufacturers. Here in the UK, the cost starts at around £140 (this fluctuates depending on supply and demand) upwards for a month’s supply. In a cost-of-living crisis, it might be especially tempting to try and hack an ‘extra dose’ of GLP-1 medication, especially when you’re watching your finances. I must stress that it’s really important to follow manufacturer's guidelines when taking Mounjaro or Wegovy. These weight loss support medications are costly because they have been tested extensively for safety and efficacy. For instance, the results of these intensive studies have shown people can expect up to 22.5% weight loss when taking Mounjaro as advised (alongside recommended lifestyle changes of increased exercise and calorie-controlled diet).*

Staying the course and making slow and steady process is the key to long-term, successful weight management. When taken at the dosage advised by a prescribing pharmacist, GLP-1 weight loss medication is a safe, trusted and effective tool to support your progress. Remember, slow and steady wins the race!”

*Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity, The New England Journal Of Medicine, 2022.

Want more?

• Get tips on safely using your GLP-1 medication injection pen.
• Keep your weight loss journey on track with team HANX’s top protein-rich snack ideas.
• Not the ‘lazy’ route - we explore why you might be wrongly shamed for taking Mounjaro and Wegovy.
• Curious about how Mounjaro might help you reach your health goals? Learn how pricing works on the weight management programme at HANX.