The “golden dose” (like the golden goose)
It seems pretty clear that the new jabs are a response to the “golden dose”. Basically all of us who have used, or are using, Mounjaro noticed that after the four weekly doses there was medication left in the pen.
Given how much of a financial commitment taking MJ is it wasn’t a surprise that many tried to extract this ‘5th dose’, that was known as the “golden dose”. It’s human nature isn’t it?
However, this was never part of the prescribed treatment. That extra liquid was always there to allow for priming the pen and removing air bubbles, ensuring each of the four doses is delivered accurately. The authorities in the UK, and Eli Lilly, have consistently made that clear.
What’s changing
Eli Lilly is introducing an updated KwikPen design in the UK:
Rollout starts with 5mg pens in April. All other doses will follow as existing stock is phased out. The key change is that there is a longer internal plunger. This means:
- Very little medication is left after the fourth dose
- It’s clear when the pen is fully used
- The “golden dose” effectively disappears
What’s not changing
The important things are not changing:
- Medication: Still tirzepatide
- Dosing: Four weekly doses per pen
- Routine: No change to how you use or prime the pen
- Cost: No expected price changes
We can expect to receive either version of the pen during the transition. Let us know what you get.
Bottom Line
This is just a pen update about the end of the ‘golden dose’. So for some more treatment cost because of that.
