Eli Lilly has recently announced that a number of modifications have been made to their
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Kwikpen, so you may notice your Mounjaro pen looks slightly different.
This article explains what has changed, why these modifications have been made, and what this
means for Cloud Pharmacy patients using this treatment.
Key takeaways:
- The new Mounjaro pens are used in the same way as the previous pens.
- There is no change to how Mounjaro works, and no dose changes are needed.
- They are designed to reduce leftover medicine and make it easier to see when the pen is empty.
- They are expected to be introduced from April 2026.
What has changed with the Mounjaro Kwikpen?
When comparing the new, modified pens to the initial devices, there are 3 main visual and
structural differences:
-
Plunger Position: A new internal part has been added behind the plunger, extending it's length.
What this means: "The pen may look partially "used" even when it is new - this is expected with the updated design.
-
Extended Plunger: A new internal part has been added behind the plunger, extending its length.
What this means: This allows the plunger to push the medication out right to the end of the pen, leaving less leftover medicine after the fourth dose.
- Remaining Medicine: After the fourth dose, the plunger will be near the end of the pen, clearly indicating the pen is ready to be discarded.
What this means: There is little to no medication left in the pen after your final dose.
To help visualise these changes, the image below shows a comparison of the original and
modified Mounjaro KwikPens when unused, as well as how the modified KwikPen looks after
the 4 fixed doses have been administered.
Why have these changes been made to the Mounjaro pen?
In making these changes, Eli Lilly hopes to reduce leftover medicine in the Kwikpen, thereby
reducing the amount of medicine being wasted. They also want to make it easier for patients to
track when the final dose has been administered, and the pen is ready to be discarded.
How does this affect my Mounjaro treatment?
While there are notable visual and structural changes, Eli Lilly has confirmed that the modified
devices work the exact same way as the initial devices, and that there will be no difference in
the effect of the medication. As such, there is no need to adjust your dose or change your
treatment due to the modified devices being introduced.
Both versions are disposable, multi-dose, single-patient-use pre-filled pens, containing the
volume of solution necessary for priming before each injection and the delivery of 4 fixed 0.6mL
doses, to be administered once every 7 days.
Why can’t I get the “fifth” or “golden” dose from my Mounjaro pen anymore?
The updated Mounjaro KwikPen has been designed to reduce leftover medication. While older
pens sometimes appeared to contain enough medication for a fifth dose, this has never been
part of the approved use of the pen.
The new design ensures that the pen delivers only the intended 4 doses.
When will the new Mounjaro KwikPen be introduced?
It is anticipated that we will start to see these modified pens in circulation by April 2026, once
the existing stock of the initial pens has been depleted. Eli-Lilly has said that during this
transition period, healthcare providers and patients can expect both versions to be available in
the market.
Will the new Mounjaro KwikPen be more expensive?
The introduction of the new devices will not result in any changes to the price of Mounjaro
treatment.
We’re here to support you
As always, Cloud Pharmacy remains committed to ensuring you feel confident about your
treatment, and during moments of change like this, we will do all we can to make sure you have
all the necessary information to maintain that confidence.
If there is anything that has not been covered by this guide or you feel you would like some
additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinical and customer service teams.
References
- Mounjaro KwikPen 2.5 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Summary of Product
Characteristics (SmPC). London: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency; Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/15481/smpc
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