The ‘golden dose' of Mounjaro that experts warn could be deadly – as slimmers rave about it saving money
A GROWING number of slimmers are trying to squeeze extra jabs out of empty Mounjaro pens in a risky bid to cut costs.
The weight-loss injections, which can cost hundreds of pounds a month, are designed to deliver a fixed weekly dose.
But online users claim there's still a small amount of drug left after the final shot.
They say it can be drawn out with a syringe for a bonus jab, dubbed the 'golden dose'.
One TikTok user claimed the trick saved her a fortune.
By getting five jabs from a four-dose pen, users reckon they can claw back £615 a year.
The reports come after NHS England said only a small number of people will be able to get Mounjaro from their GP.
It means most people will still have to pay for it privately - which can cost hundreds of pounds a month.
'The drugs are expensive but weight loss is strongly desired, so as a commodity, these drugs are hotly sought-after,' said Professor Naveed Sattar, a cardiologist and obesity expert at the University of Glasgow, said.
'It's no surprise people are going to such extraordinary lengths," she told the inews.
Medics say the DIY hack is dangerous and could lead to infection, overdose or death.
"People are reading these tips on online forums and being tempted to use them to save money," said Professor Penny Ward, a pharmaceutical expert at King's College London.
Women taking fat jabs need 'effective contraception' - as health chiefs warn of serious harm to unborn babies
"But they're risking serious side effects from overdosing by doing this - as well as the potential to develop a life-threatening infection.
"The potential to develop a life-threatening infection. It's not a good idea at all," she told MailOnline.
Talk of the so-called 'golden dose' is also spreading on Reddit weight-loss forums.
In one thread with more than 50 comments, a user wrote: "After four pumps of your uk injection pen they tell you to throw it away.
"But there is an extra dose or thereabouts in the pen you can self inject with an insulin needle."
Another replied saying: "Known much more on here as the fifth dose."
2
Slimmers have also taken to TikTok to rave about the 'discovery'.
In one video, a nurse demonstrates how to use a needle to extract leftover medicine from the pen.
She wrote: "I do not condone or encourage anybody to take their golden dose this is just what I am doing."
Huge risks
Professor Penny warned that this practice can be dangerous for "several" reasons.
"These injections contain a slight overfill to ensure the full recommended dose is delivered each time," she said.
"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.'
Once the pen has been used, it's no longer sterile, meaning any leftover liquid could be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Injecting it could lead to abscesses or, in extreme cases, life-threatening sepsis.
There's also the danger of taking too much.
'If you're using your own syringe, it's difficult to measure the correct amount - you may end up taking more than intended,' she warned.
Overdosing on the jab can trigger nasty side effects like vomiting and diarrhoea, or in rare cases, pancreatitis - a serious and painful condition that may need hospital treatment.
Around one in five cases result in serious complications, with up to 30 per cent proving fatal.
The risk rises sharply with higher doses, as the drug can trigger digestive enzymes that begin attacking the pancreas itself.
Symptoms include sudden, severe tummy pain, often spreading to the back, along with fever, nausea and a racing heartbeat.
"The bigger the dose, the bigger the risk of pancreatitis," Professor Ward warned.
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases.
Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK.
Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market.
Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight.
They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high.
Can I get them?
NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics.
Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss.
Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk.
Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health.
Are there any risks?
Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.'
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health.
Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
Mounjaro - dubbed the "King Kong" of weight loss jabs - works by mimicking hormones released by the body when you're full.
This makes people feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry.
It appears to be to be more potent than Wegovy - another popular weight loss jab - causing about 20 per cent weight loss after a year's use, compared with Wegovy's 15 per cent.
Mounjaro's active ingredient is tirzepatide, a lab-made compound that mimics two gut hormones - GLP-1 and GIP - which help control blood sugar and appetite.
This is why it was initially approved to treat diabetes type 2, which happens when people can't control their blood sugar.
But in December 2024, it was also cleared for use on the NHS for weight loss in people with a BMI of over 30, or over 27 plus one weight-related condition.
'Excess solution' should be 'discarded'
If you notice there is a considerable amount of medication left in your pen after the last dose, Professor Penny added, it may mean that you're not using the injection properly.
"Speak to your pharmacist about your technique, or check that you definitely have the right size syringe, as this can impact the amount of medication left over," she said.
A spokesperson for Lilly - the drug's manufacturer - said users should not do this, as the remaining liquid may not be a full dose.
'It is important to note that there will be a residual amount of medicine left after the fourth dose," they said.
"This does not correspond to a full dose."
'Any excess solution in the pen after use should be discarded.'
Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, added: "Medicines are approved according to strict dosage guidelines.
"Failure to adhere with these guidelines, such as tampering with pre-dosed injection pens, could harm your health or cause personal injury.
"People should follow the dosing directions provided by their healthcare provider when prescribed weight-loss medicines and use as directed in the patient information leaflet."
What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
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