People using GLP-1 weight-loss injections are being warned not to follow social media advice encouraging them to use leftover medication from their injection pens.
The warning comes as Google searches for the term “golden dose” have increased by 375% over the past year. Analysis by online pharmacy Curely found the phrase was searched for almost 98,000 times in the past month.
Across Facebook groups and online forums, some users describe the medication left in multi-dose injection pens as a “free extra dose”. Others share advice on forcing additional clicks from the pen or extracting the remaining medication with a syringe.
Sobia Qasim, Superintendent Pharmacist at Curely, said patients often mistakenly believe the medication left inside some pens is intended to be used as another injection.
She said: “Multi-dose GLP-1 injection pens are licensed to deliver a set number of prescribed doses. Patients sometimes notice that a small amount of medication remains afterwards, but this doesn’t mean there’s a safe or accurate extra dose available.
“Injection pens are intentionally overfilled during manufacturing. This is standard practice and helps ensure every prescribed dose can be delivered accurately throughout the treatment cycle. The remaining medication isn’t intended to provide additional treatment.”
Many newer GLP-1 weight-loss treatments are supplied in multi-dose injection pens rather than single-use devices. Manufacturers include a small overfill to help ensure each prescribed dose can be delivered correctly.
However, Sobia warned against trying to obtain the remaining medication.
She said: “We’ve seen increasing numbers of patients referring to what’s left in the pen as the ‘golden dose’, but attempting to obtain this medication by forcing the pen, counting additional clicks or withdrawing it with a separate syringe isn’t recommended.
“Once you move outside the way the pen has been designed to work, you can no longer be confident you’re receiving an accurate dose.”
She said one of the main concerns is dose accuracy because GLP-1 medicines are introduced gradually using a prescribed dose-escalation schedule.
Sobia said: “One of the biggest concerns is dose accuracy. GLP-1 medications are carefully titrated, meaning each dose has been prescribed for a reason. Taking an unknown amount could increase the likelihood of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and dehydration, while taking less than intended may reduce how well the treatment works.
“It also makes it much harder for your prescriber to understand how you’re responding to treatment if you’re taking doses that weren’t part of your prescribed treatment plan.”
She also warned that dismantling injection pens or removing medication with another syringe could increase the risk of contamination, inaccurate dosing and user error.
Sobia added: “These pens are sterile medical devices designed to be used exactly as described in the patient information leaflet. Attempting to dismantle a pen or extract medication using another syringe increases the risk of contamination, inaccurate dosing and user error.
“If you have questions about your current dose, whether you should stay on the same strength for longer or when to increase your dose, that’s something you should discuss with your prescribing clinician or pharmacist rather than relying on advice shared on social media.”
She said people may be tempted to avoid wasting medication because of the cost of treatment, but added that weight-loss medicines should always be used exactly as prescribed.
Sobia said: “It can be tempting to think you’re getting an extra dose at no additional cost, but weight-loss medications should always be used exactly as prescribed. Following the licensed dosing schedule gives you the best chance of achieving safe, sustainable weight loss while reducing the risk of avoidable side effects.”
Curely, which carried out the analysis, is a UK online pharmacy providing regulated weight management services under the supervision of registered healthcare professionals. Its analysis of Google search data found interest in the term “golden dose” has increased by 375% over the past 12 months.
Source: Research by Curely – www.curely.co.uk.