Mounjaro Users Attempt Risky "Golden Dose" Amid Price Hike

In the lead-up to a significant price increase for the weight-loss drug Mounjaro in the UK next month, some users have resorted to a dangerous practice in an effort to obtain extra doses.

According to the article, the drug manufacturer Eli Lilly designed the Mounjaro "Kwickpen" to deliver four weekly doses, with any remaining liquid intended for priming before each injection. However, some patients have been drawing out this leftover medication to create an unauthorized "fifth dose", dubbed the "golden dose".

Pharmacists and industry experts have strongly condemned this method, calling it "completely inappropriate" and potentially hazardous. They warn that users attempting to extract the extra dose risk introducing contaminants or miscalculating the exact amount of medication they are injecting, which could lead to serious side effects.

The article notes that social media groups and YouTube videos have been filled with discussions and instructions on how to obtain the "golden dose", while specialized tools are even being sold on eBay. However, authorities have made it clear that this practice is not covered by the drug's licensing and could impact any insurance associated with taking Mounjaro.

With the price of the highest Mounjaro dose expected to rise from £122 to £330 per month's supply, the demand for the drug has surged, leading to shortages at major UK pharmacies. This has only exacerbated the problem, as some patients feel compelled to seek out unauthorized methods to access the medication.