Expert shares three key reasons to skip the Mounjaro 'golden dose'

Using the Mounjaro 'golden dose' can be problematic.

Experts strongly caution against using Mounjaro's so-called 'golden dose'.

Weight loss injections like Mounjaro are gaining popularity, and the US has experienced a remarkable 700 percent rise in the use of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) antagonists over the past four years among patients without diabetes, according to a 2024 report.

Mounjaro is one of these GLP-1 medications, which also stimulates GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptors in the body by managing blood sugar levels.

The primary mechanism of the injection and its weight loss effects is that it slows the digestion of food, making you feel fuller for longer.

Each Mounjaro pen contains four doses of the medication, but users have noticed that some medication remains in the pen after the final injection.

What does 'golden dose' mean?

Each Mounjaro pen holds 3ml of liquid, with each dose using 0.6ml — precisely enough for four accurate, pre-measured doses of Mounjaro. This leaves a small amount of liquid remaining.

The remaining liquid is not an extra dose (often called a 'golden dose'); it is an intentional overfill included in the pen to ensure the full delivery of each injection.

There are several risks associated with using this 'dose', Voy's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Earim Chaudry, has cautioned.

Underdosing

There is a risk that you might not take an adequate amount of your prescribed medication.

"This can quietly hinder your progress," Dr. Chaudry told UNILAD. "These treatments aren't merely about managing your appetite; they help reset how your body reacts to hunger and fullness. When doses are too low or inconsistent, this process is disrupted."

Signs that you may be underdosing include stalled or slower-than-expected weight loss despite following other recommendations, as well as increased hunger or the return of cravings.

Dr. Chaudry added: "The medication might appear to be 'not working' even though the real issue lies with the dosing. Ultimately, this can lead to frustration, slower progress, and in some cases, discontinuing treatment altogether, perpetuating a cycle that patients are eager to break."

Overdosing

Although taking a little extra medication might seem like a smart solution, Dr. Chaudry cautioned that it could be 'a risky and unsafe move'.

"These pens are not designed for precision beyond their intended purpose, and extracting additional medication in this manner is neither sterile, accurate, nor reliable," he explained.

Discussing the potential consequences of overdosing on Mounjaro, Dr. Chaudry stated: "Overdosing can rapidly cause dangerous and unpleasant symptoms such as severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

"In rare instances, it might even lead to serious complications like pancreatitis. These medications are precisely calibrated for your safety, so ignoring the guidelines isn’t just breaking the rules, it’s risking your health."

Using an unsterile or out-of-date pen

It's crucial to confirm that your pen is sterile and that the medication is not expired

If a pen is not sterile or is expired, it can cause 'serious problems' — one risk being that the medication might have degraded over time, rendering it ineffective.

"Even more alarming is that an expired or compromised pen can harbor bacteria, increasing the risk of infection at the injection site — or worse, a systemic infection that could become dangerous," Dr. Chaudry stated.

"Be alert for warning signs such as redness, swelling, or pus at the injection site, fever, or general symptoms of illness, along with a lack of effectiveness."