What Is a Multi-Dose Pen?
A multi-dose pen holds more than one dose of medicine.
For example:
- One pen may contain all of your prescribed doses.
- You do NOT use the whole pen at one time.
- You only use the dose your doctor ordered for YOU.
The total size of the pen will also be listed on the label in mL (milliliters).
For example:
- The pen may say 3 mL total.
This tells you how much liquid medicine is inside the pen.
It does not mean you inject 3 mL at once.
It only tells you the total liquid amount inside.
What Does Strength or Concentration Mean?
Strength tells you how much medicine is in the liquid.
Think about chocolate milk:
- More chocolate syrup = stronger chocolate milk
- Less chocolate syrup = lighter chocolate milk
Medicine works the same way.
If the label says 100 mg/mL, that means there are 100 milligrams (mg) of medicine in every 1 milliliter (mL) of liquid.
The mg tells you how much medicine.
The mL tells you how much liquid.
Your Dose Will Be in mg or Clicks
Your prescribed dose will be written in mg (milligrams) or clicks. Clicks are used when your dose is between the marked doses on the pen. In those cases, the exact number of clicks will be clearly written for you so you know the right dose to use.
For example:
- Prescription with click dosing: Inject 50 clicks (37mg) into the skin once daily
- Prescription with mg dosing: Inject 0.6 mg into the skin every 7 days
That number — the mg or clicks— is YOUR dose.
Because these are multi-dose pens, the pen is filled to ensure you receive all of your prescribed doses.
After you finish your doses, you may notice some medication left in the pen.
This leftover medication is normal.
The extra medicine inside is so you can get all your doses.
Very Important: Check Your Dose
Since the pen contains multiple doses, you must make sure you:
✔ Turn the pen to your prescribed dose in mg or clicks
✔ Check the number before injecting
✔ Do NOT assume the whole pen is one dose
If your label says:
- Inject 60 clicks (200 mg) under the skin twice weekly.
Do not inject the entire pen.
Always match the mg or clicks number on the pen to the mg or clicks number on your pharmacy label.
28-Day Rule After First Use
Multi-dose pens follow the same safety rules as multi-dose vials.
After the pen is used the first time (first puncture):
- Do NOT use it longer than 28 days.
- After 28 days, throw it away — even if medicine is left inside.
This rule follows USP (United States Pharmacopeia) guidelines for multi-dose containers.
These guidelines protect you from contamination and infection.
After 28 days, the medicine may no longer be sterile.
For your safety, the pharmacy cannot recommend using the pen past 28 days.
How to Read Your Pharmacy Label
Your label gives you important information.
Look for:
- Your Name
Make sure it is yours. - Medicine Name
This tells you what medicine it is. - Strength (mg/mL)
This tells you how strong the medicine is. - Quantity = Total Volume (mL)
This tells you how much liquid is in the whole pen. - Directions
This tells you exactly how much to use in mg or clicks. - Expiration Date
Do not use after this date.
Why This Matters
Using too much or too little medicine can:
- Cause side effects
- Make it not work well
- Be unsafe
Using your correct dose — and discarding after 28 days — helps keep you safe.
We Are Here to Help
If you ever feel unsure:
- Call us
- Ask questions
- Bring your pen in and we can show you
There are no silly questions.
At Mountain Care Pharmacy, your safety always comes first. 💙
