Keeping track of GLP-1 pens: supply, refills, and not running out

Short answer

Count in doses, not boxes, and know your lead time. A single-dose pen is one dose; a multi-dose pen holds a set number of doses at your current strength (printed on the pack). Write the count down after each injection. Request the refill when the remaining doses equal your pharmacy's usual turnaround plus one week. A tracker can do the subtraction and remind you.

Who this guide is for

Anyone who has stood at the pharmacy counter on injection day to hear "it's on backorder" — or wants to avoid it.

Step-by-step

1. Find your doses per pack. Single-dose pens: one dose each. Multi-dose pens: the pack says how many doses at each strength. Why: at titration steps a multi-dose pen holds fewer doses of a higher strength.
2. Enter the count once and subtract each injection. Marker on the box, or the supply field in a tracker. EvenDose shows doses remaining on the home screen and subtracts automatically when you log a shot.
3. Set your lead time. Ask the pharmacy how long a refill usually takes; add a week for shortages or prior authorisation. Why: the refill reminder should fire before the panic, not on injection day.
4. Re-check the count when a dose step changes. Why: a new strength can change doses per pen.
5. Keep an eye on the expiry and the in-use limit on multi-dose pens (the label gives the number of days after first use).

Common mistakes

• Counting boxes, then finding the last box holds fewer doses at the new strength.
• Requesting the refill when the last pen is opened.
• Assuming the pharmacy has it in stock because it did last month.

Tools that help

The pen box and a marker; a recurring calendar reminder set to your lead time; EvenDose (supply counter, automatic subtraction, refill reminder calculated from supply and cycle).

FAQ

Sources

Instructions for Use for each pen:

• Ozempic — Novo Nordisk
• Wegovy — Novo Nordisk
• Mounjaro — Eli Lilly
• Zepbound — Eli Lilly
• Saxenda — Novo Nordisk