Which Drugs Utilize Single-Use (Disposable) Injection Pens?

Disposable injection pens have become one of the gold standard tools for administering modern biologics. Their applications extend from diabetes and obesity to dozens of therapeutic areas, including autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular diseases. With the continued booming growth of the biopharmaceutical industry and the increasing demand from patients for convenient self-administration, the market demand for disposable injection pens will continue to grow strongly.

reusable pen

Main Drug Categories Used:

1. Diabetes Treatment Medications

GLP-1 receptor agonists: This is currently the most widely used area for single-use injection pens.

Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®)

Liraglutide (Victoza®)

Dulaglutide (Trulicity®)

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®)

Insulin: While many insulins use reusable injection pens with replaceable cartridges, pre-filled disposable insulin pens also hold a significant market share, especially for patients traveling, hospitalized, or requiring extreme convenience.

Some basal insulins (e.g., insulin glargine Toujeo® SoloStar®)

Premixed insulins

Inner Rotation Pen Injector

2. Weight Management Medications

Many GLP-1 medications are used at higher doses for obesity treatment, with the same or similar pen injector design as the diabetes versions.

Semaglutide (Wegovy®)

Liraglutide (Saxenda®)

Tirzepatide (Zepbound®)

3. Orthopedic and Metabolic Disease Medications

Osteoporosis:

Teriparatide (Forteo®): A daily injectable medication that promotes bone formation.

Abaloparatide (Tymlos®).

Growth hormone deficiency:

Recombinant human growth hormone: Used in adults and children, usually administered daily.

4. Cardiovascular Disease Medications

PCSK9 inhibitors:

Evolocumab (Repatha®): Subcutaneous injection every two weeks or monthly to lower cholesterol.

Alirocumab (Praluent®).

disposable injection pen

5. Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disease Medications

Interleukin inhibitors:

Secukinumab (Cosentyx®): Used for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Ixekizumab (Taltz®).

TNF-α inhibitors:

Adalimumab (Humira®) has several disposable injection pen models. Golimumab (Simponi®).

Other biologics: such as dupilumab (Dupixent®) for asthma, which is also available in a single-use injection pen.

6. Blood Disorder Medications

Anticoagulants:

Low molecular weight heparin (e.g., enoxaparin): Used to prevent and treat blood clots, used in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

7. Fertility Treatment Medications

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH):

Used in assisted reproductive technologies (IVF), medications such as follitropin alfa (Gonal-f®), etc.

8. Vaccines and Long-Acting Preventive Medications

For example, long-acting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications, such as cabotegravir (Apretude®), which is injected every two months.