Callum Jones
Doctors have issued an urgent warning over the 'golden dose' hack for Mounjaro, but what exactly is it?
A recent medical survey found around 12 percent of adults in the US use glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs, which are designed to treat people with type two diabetes.
Mounjaro is one of the many brands that work to lower blood sugar levels to treat diabetic people, though people hoping to shed the pounds can also take advantage of the drug as it's also been approved as a weight loss treatment.
However, reports suggest a rising number of Mounjaro users may be abusing the tool by squeezing extra doses out of the injector pens to get more bang for their buck, which health experts are warning could be dangerous.
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One injector pen comes pre-filled with a fixed dose that users take once a week, typically lasting for a period of four weeks.
Those who have used the drug have claimed a small amount of the drug remains in the pen at the end of the round, with some reportedly promoting a new 'hack' to recover the liquid remnants.
This is where the 'golden dose' comes in, with dozens on social media suggesting a syringe and needle can draw out the dregs to create such, as per The Daily Mail.
Speaking to the news outlet, Professor Penny Ward, a pharmaceutical expert at King's College London, has issued a stern warning regarding the 'golden dose'.
"People are reading these tips on online forums and being tempted to use them to save money," she said.
"But they're risking serious side effects from overdosing by doing this — as well as the potential to develop a life-threatening infection. It's not a good idea at all."
The health expert revealed the practice can be life-threatening 'for several reasons,' from infections to abscesses and overdosing.
She added: "These injections contain a slight overfill to ensure the full recommended dose is delivered each time. 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."
A UK Meds article reviewed by GP Dr Alexis Missick also stressed trying to measure out the dregs could lead to either an overdose or an underdose.
It reads: "Attempting to use the leftover liquid as a 'fifth dose' can lead to inaccurate dosing, resulting in underdosing (which may reduce effectiveness) or overdosing (which increases the risk of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea)."
UNILAD has previously contacted Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly for a comment.