If you're on a weight loss journey and have spent any time in online communities like TikTok, Reddit, or YouTube, you've likely heard of the so-called "golden dose" of Mounjaro, sometimes referred to as "the magic fifth (5th) dose."
Many weight loss medication users are asking: Can you really get an extra dose from a Mounjaro pen? And if so, is it safe?
Let's break down what the "golden dose" actually is, why it's there, and whether it's a good idea to try and use it.
Key Takeaways
- The "golden dose" or "fifth (5th) dose" refers to leftover liquid in your Mounjaro pen after using the four prescribed doses, but it's not safe to use.
- This overfill is intentional and ensures accurate delivery of each injection, not a bonus dose.
- Attempting to extract or use the remaining liquid can lead to underdosing, overdosing, contamination, and increased side effects.
- Always follow your prescribed dosing schedule and speak to a clinician if your current dose isn't working as expected.
What is the Mounjaro "golden dose”?
The Mounjaro golden dose is the small amount of liquid left in your Mounjaro pen after you've used all four prescribed doses.
Every Mounjaro pen contains 3ml of liquid. Each weekly injection uses 0.6ml, which gives you four accurate, pre-measured doses. After those four doses, you'll notice there's still some liquid left in the pen.
But this leftover liquid is not a bonus 5th dose. It's a deliberate overfill built into the pen design for two important reasons: to allow for the flow check before each injection and to guarantee each of your four prescribed doses is delivered completely.
The amount of liquid that remains can vary slightly and is not a measurable or accurate dose.
Mounjaro golden dose chart: How to track your remaining doses
Not sure how many doses you have left? This Mounjaro golden dose chart shows you exactly what your pen should look like after each injection, including what it looks like once all four doses have been used.
The chart is helpful if you're wondering whether you've injected too much or too little. You'll notice that even after four doses, liquid remains visible in the pen, but as we'll explain below, this isn't a safe or accurate dose to use.
Need a little more guidance on how to correctly take your weight loss medications? We’ve got you. See Voy’s guide to injecting Mounjaro.
Can you use the fifth (5th) dose of Mounjaro and is it safe?
The short answer is: No. Using the fifth dose carries serious risks, and both clinicians and Mounjaro's manufacturer strongly advise against it.
Risks of using the 5th dose
- Underdosing: The leftover liquid is not a full, measurable dose. Using it may result in underdosing, which can reduce the effectiveness of your treatment and impact your weight loss progress.
- Overdosing: Without dose control, you may inject too much, increasing the risk of Mounjaro side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation.
- Loss of sterility: Once the Mounjaro KwikPen is used, it expires after 30 days. After this period, it must be discarded, as it might no longer be free of germs. Attempting to extract and use the remaining medication can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection.
Some people have tried getting the 5th dose out of their Mounjaro pen using insulin syringes or needles, while others look for ways to extract it without a syringe. Regardless of the method, these practices are unsafe and not medically supported.
How to get the "golden dose” of Mounjaro
We understand the motivation behind this question. When you see leftover liquid in your pen, it can feel like wasted medication.
But the leftover liquid isn't meant for dosing. It exists to ensure accurate delivery of your prescribed amount and to allow for flow checks during injection.
Can you extract the 5th dose from a Mounjaro pen?
On online forums like TikTok and Reddit, some users have shared how to get the golden dose out of a Mounjaro pen, including methods using insulin syringes, needles, or attempting to extract it without a syringe. These tutorials show how to get the 5th dose out of Mounjaro pens, particularly for the UK multi-dose KwikPen design.
But regardless of the method, these practices are not safe or medically supported.
Attempting to extract the extra dose from your Mounjaro pen can lead to underdosing, overdosing, contamination, and serious side effects. It's really important that you do not attempt to extract a fifth dose from your Mounjaro pen, whether using a syringe, needle, or any other method.
Instead, stick to your prescribed dosage schedule: one injection per week, using the same pen for all four weekly doses. If you're unsure about your current dose or feel it isn't working as expected, speak to a clinician. Self-adjusting your medication without clinical guidance can be dangerous.
Side effects support at Voy
"If you're using Voy and you experience any side effects, rest assured that our expert clinicians are just a message or phone call away. They can adjust your dose, prescribe medication to ease your symptoms, or simply offer reassurance.
Everyone responds differently to weight loss treatment and we'll help you find what feels right for you."
Is Eli Lilly redesigning the Mounjaro pen?
There have been reports suggesting Eli Lilly (manufacturer of Mounjaro) may be considering pen design changes to address the "golden dose" safety concerns by removing the extra liquid. At this time, the company hasn't made an official announcement.
If any changes are confirmed, we'll keep you updated here at Voy. In the meantime, the safest approach is to use your Mounjaro pen exactly as prescribed: one injection per week for four weeks, then dispose of it properly after the fourth dose.
If you have questions about your medication, reach out to your provider.
What if Mounjaro isn't working for you?
If you've been using Mounjaro and have hit a weight loss plateau, or the cost is becoming challenging, you have options.
Weight loss medications work differently for everyone, and sometimes switching to an alternative treatment can make all the difference. Wegovy (semaglutide) is another GLP-1 medication that many people find effective for weight management, and it may be a better fit depending on your individual response and circumstances.
Curious about how Mounjaro and Wegovy compare, or whether switching might be right for you? Read our guide on switching between Mounjaro and Wegovy. It covers the key differences, what to expect, and how to transition safely between treatments.
Your provider can also help you explore other options or adjust your current plan to better support your goals.
The bottom line on the Mounjaro golden dose
The "golden dose" may be tempting, but safety comes first. The leftover liquid in your pen isn't a usable 5th dose, and trying to extract it can lead to inaccurate dosing, contamination, and serious side effects.
At Voy, we believe in safe, clinically supported weight loss using licensed GLP-1 weight loss medications. If you have questions about your medication, dosage, or results, your clinician can provide personalised advice to keep you on track.
Ready to start your weight loss journey? Through our clinically backed programme, you'll receive weekly medication, personalised guidance from our expert team, and educational tools in our app. Research shows that participants who actively engage with Voy's programme achieve better results and reach their goals sooner.
Find out if you’re eligible by taking this short quiz.
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