How to take and use Mounjaro MOUNJARO
Trouble shooting
You might not have self-administered an injection before, let alone been responsible for the correct storage, management and disposal of injectable medications and equipment. It’s not as daunting as you might think! To make sure you’re comfortable and confident, our clinical team have shared their top 10 troubleshooting tips; so you can avoid any uncertainty.
Remember, always read the Patient Information Leaflet and User Guide that comes with your medication. We also have a dedicated step-by-step guide focused on how to use your Mounjaro KwikPen.
2. My first injection was cold and uncomfortable
The first injection with any new KwikPen might be slightly more uncomfortable. That’s because it’s been refrigerated at a low temperature and cold injections are always more uncomfortable than medication stored at room temperature. It might be tempting to take it out of the fridge before use (or store it at room temperature) but doing this will spoil the medication. You can only store it at room temperature AFTER you administer the first injection from any new KwikPen.
3. Does it matter that I didn’t wash my hands?
1. I didn’t put my KwikPen in the fridge when my delivery came
It’s essential to store Mounjaro as directed, because incorrect storage will spoil the medication. To make sure it arrives with you at the correct temperature we package it with a special (100% natural) material called Woolcool and additional gel ice packs. Both of these mean your order will arrive at the correct temperature. Once you receive your order, you should immediately check everything is correct and then put the KwikPen into your fridge as quickly as possible. It must be sorted in the fridge before first use, between 2°C to 8°C.
If your KwikPen is delivered with the ice packs melted, or you’ve been unable to store it in the fridge straight away, don’t worry. It can temporarily be outside of refrigerated conditions for a maximum of 24 hours before it needs to be refrigerated again; without affecting the in-use period or shelf life of the product. However, we always recommend refrigerating as soon as possible.
Practicing good hand hygiene is essential when injecting Mounjaro. You should thoroughly wash your hands, prepare a clean & sanitary surface to work from and use the swabs provided to wipe down your KwikPen. If someone is injecting your dose for you then they also need to practice good hand hygiene. Not doing so increases the risk of infection at your inject sites, not to mention surface bacteria forming on your KwikPen. You’ll use one single KwikPen to administer four doses, so hygienic handling and storage is essential to minimise risks.
4. I always inject in the same place
You can inject in the same area of your body (stomach, thigh or the back of your upper arm) but you need to rotate the injection site with every injection. Never inject in the exact same location, as this can increase the risk of infection or hard lumps forming under the skin. And if you prefer to inject in your stomach, remember to always inject at least 2 inches away from your belly button.
5. Not changing the needle for each injection
The needles for your KwikPen are single-use and need to be replaced for each injection. Using the same needle more than once can lead to a range of problems, such as “blunting” of the needle (means you might not get a full dose), increased risk of infection and injection site reactions (hard lumps forming under the skin).
6. You can’t see the needle head once you’ve attached it
New needles come with an outer and inner needle shield. Both of these need to be removed before you can inject your dose. Make sure to closely follow the steps for preparing your KwikPen.
7. You can’t see the right icons in the pen dose window
The step-by-step guide shows you which icons you should see in the dose window at two different key stages – when priming your KwikPen and when injecting your dose. Closely follow the steps and troubleshooting tips for these key stages. Often the issue is easily resolved by changing the needle, performing the priming steps accurately or adjusting your finger pressure on the dose knob.
8. You’ve taken your 4th dose but there’s still some medicine left in the pen
This is perfectly normal. The KwikPen has a “contingency” amount of Mounjaro in the pen, designed to allow for four full doses plus some extra for the priming steps. This extra amount is not enough for a 5th dose and the KwikPen itself will not allow for a 5th dose to be injected into your body.
If you’re unsure about anything, your friendly clinical team is on hand to talk you through all aspects of managing your KwikPen injections. Starting your weight loss treatment with The Slimming Clinic means access to safe & supported weight loss injectables that can help you achieve up to a 20% reduction in bodyweight.
9. You forget to take a dose at the right time
We always recommend setting an alarm or reminder on your phone to build the habit of routine. But life can get in the way sometimes! These things happen, but it’s important to understand what to do next. It also depends which medication you’re taking. Never double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If it’s been 4 days or less since you should have injected, use it as soon as you remember and then take your next dose as usual on your scheduled day.
If it’s been more than 4 days since you should have injected, skip the missed dose and then inject your next dose on your usual scheduled day.
10. You’re travelling and will need to inject while away from home
You can easily travel with your KwikPen, but just make sure you carefully plan how you’re going to transport and store your KwikPen. The key consideration is temperature – the pen can’t get too hot or too cold. To prevent it getting too hot (especially when in a warmer climate) you might want to consider a good quality portable cool bag. To prevent it getting too cold, if you’re flying, pack it in your hand luggage to avoid it freezing in the luggage hold. However, we do recommend packing your needles in your hold luggage to avoid any issues at airport security When travelling with weight loss medication, please check the rules for your destination, your airline and any countries that you are travelling through. If you require a letter from us confirming that weight loss medication has been prescribed for you. please request it from us at least 14 days ahead of travelling via info@theslimmingclinic.com.
11. You are having issues with the functionality of the pen
If you cannot remove the pen cap, gently twist the pen cap back and forth, and then pull the pen cap straight off.
If the dose knob is hard to push, try the following in this order: pushing the dose knob more slowly will make it easier to inject, if you think that your needle may be blocked, put on a new pen needle and prime the pen.
How to take and use Mounjaro
Your dosage of Mounjaro will be decided based on your weight loss needs with your Slimming Clinic doctor and will be unique to you.
Below are general instructions on how to use a Mounjaro pen however you should always follow the instructions on the enclosed patient information leaflet for the specific pen you have been sent.
• Inspect the pen and label. Do not use if:
» the medication name or dose strength does not match your prescription.
» the pen is expired (EXP) or looks damaged.
» the medication has been frozen, has particles, is cloudy, or is discoloured.
Mounjaro should be colourless to slightly yellow.
Wipe the red inner seal with a swab.
Select a new pen needle. Always use a new pen needle for each injection to help prevent infections and blocked needles. Pull off the paper tab from the outer needle shield.
Push the capped pen needle straight onto the pen and twist the pen needle on until it is tight.
Pull off the outer needle shield and keep it. This will be reused. Pull off the inner needle shield. Put it in your household bin.
PRIMING PEN - 1ST TIME USING EACH NEW PEN
Slowly turn the dose knob until you hear. 2 clicks and the extended line 0 is shown in the dose window. This is the prime position. It can be corrected by turning the dose knob in either direction until the prime position lines up to the dose indicator.
Hold your pen with the needle pointing up. Tap the cartridge holder gently to collect air bubbles at the top.
Release some medicine into the air by pushing the dose knob in until it stops, then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. The 0 icon must be shown in the dose window. Do not inject into your body. Priming removes air from the cartridge and makes sure that your pen is working correctly. Your pen has been primed if a small amount of medicine comes out of the tip of the pen needle.
» If you do not see medicine, repeat steps 7-9, no more than 2 additional times.
» If you still do not see medicine, then change the pen needle and repeat steps 7-9, no more than 1 additional time.
» If you still do not see medicine, contact your local Lilly affiliate.
Please note: Priming the pen only needs to be done the first time you use each new pen - this is not required every week as it will waste the medicine.
Choose an injection site.
A. You or another person can inject the medicine in your thigh or stomach (abdomen) at least 5 centimetres from the belly button.
B. Another person should give you the injection in the back of your upper arm.
Change (rotate) your injection site each week. You may use the same area of your body but be sure to choose a different injection site in that area.
Dial
Insert the needle into your skin.
PUSH 5 sec. HOL D
Turn the dose knob until it stops and the 1 icon is shown in the dose window. The 1 icon is equal to a full 0.6 ml dose.
Inject the medicine by pushing the dose knob in then slowly count to 5 while holding the dose knob. icon must be shown in the dose window before removing the needle.
Pull the needle out of your skin. A drop of medicine on the needle tip is normal. It will not affect your dose.
Confirm the 0 icon is in the dose window.
If you see the 0 icon in the window, you have received the full dose.
If you do not see the 0 icon in the dose window, insert the needle back into your skin and finish your injection. Do not redial the dose.
If you still do not think you received the full dose, do not start over or repeat the injection. Contact your local Lilly affiliate if you have any questions or problems with Mounjaro KwikPen.
If you see blood after you pull the needle out of your skin, lightly press the injection site with gauze or a cotton ball. Do not rub the injection site.
Carefully replace the outer needle shield.
Unscrew the capped needle and put the needle in a sharps container (see “Disposing of Mounjaro KwikPen and needles” section).
Do not store the pen with the needle attached to prevent leaking, blocking the needle, and air from entering the pen.
Replace the pen cap.
Do not store the pen without the pen cap attached.
Storing your Mounjaro KwikPen
Unused pens:
• Store unused pens in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C.
• Unused pens may be used until the expiration date printed on the label if the pen has been kept in the refrigerator.
• Do not freeze your pen. Throw away (discard) the pen if it has been frozen.
Used pens:
• You may store your used pen at room temperature up to 30°C after your injection.
• Keep away from heat.
• Keep your pen and needles out of the sight and reach of children.
• Dispose of the pen 30 days after first use.
• Dispose of the pen after receiving 4 weekly doses.
Disposing of Mounjaro KwikPen and pen needles
• Dispose of your used pen needles in a sharps disposal container right away after use, do not dispose of loose pen needles in your household waste.
• Dispose of the used pen in your household bin or sharps disposal container after you have removed the needle.
• Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container.
• Ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about how to dispose of medicines you no longer use.