Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated? Storage and traveling tips for Wegovy

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is prescribed for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition. It should be taken with a calorie-deficit diet and physical exercise for optimal results.

Wegovy has special storage requirements so storing Wegovy injection pens properly ensures they are safe for use until their expiration date.

Do you want to know if Wegovy needs to be refrigerated or how long it can be stored at room temperature? Keep reading to learn how to store Wegovy at home or if you plan on traveling with the Wegovy injection pens.

Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?

Yes, Wegovy needs to be refrigerated at a temperature range between 36°F – 46°F (2°C – 8°C) and lasts the longest when stored in the refrigerator until the first time you use it. Wegovy pens should last until their expiration date (labeled as EXP on the pen) when stored in the fridge.

Keep Wegovy in their original carton to protect the pens from light on an open shelf in the fridge to avoid direct interaction with cooling elements which can cause it to freeze and away from liquids or food that could spill on it. Avoid storing Wegovy in crisper drawers which may have increased humidity or in the refrigerator door where the temperature can fluctuate.

Do not remove the pen cap until you want to inject Wegovy.  The pen will no longer be sterile and could lead to infection if stored without the pen cap, if you pull the pen cap off and put it on again, or if the pen cap is missing.

Though you do not need to bring the medication to room temperature before you use Wegovy, it can reduce discomfort at the injection site and you can leave the injection out of the refrigerator to reach room temperature before injecting. Keep the pen cap on until you are ready to inject under the skin of your stomach, upper arm, or thigh.

As Wegovy pens are single-use injections, you only need to worry about how to store them before their first use. Once the pen is used, you can dispose of it in a medical sharps container.

How long can Wegovy be stored at room temperature?

You should keep Wegovy (semaglutide) injections in the refrigerator for optimal storage conditions. However, before removing the pen cap, you can store Wegovy pens at room temperature (up to 86°F or 30°C) for up to 28 days when refrigeration isn’t possible (e.g. when the refrigerator isn’t working or you are traveling).

Keep the injection in the original carton to protect it from light and extreme temperatures. Exposure to temperatures above 86°F (30°C) can cause the active ingredient in Wegovy, semaglutide, to break down and you must discard the pen when exposed to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.

Writing the date on the carton (when you take it out of the refrigerator) can help ensure you will remember to discard the pens after 28 days. You can also add a reminder to your calendar.

However, if the expiration date (marked with “EXP” on the pen itself) of the pen is less than 28 days, it can only be stored at room temperature until it expires and can no longer be used after that date.

Can Wegovy be frozen?

No, do not freeze Wegovy pens. Freezing the pen will alter the composition, making it unsafe to use. If the Wegovy pen was frozen, you should discard it and use a new pen, even it it has thawed out. Double-checking the temperature in the fridge (2°C to 8°C) and keeping the pens away from cooling elements can help prevent freezing.

Freezing can also happen if you put the Wegovy pens directly on ice or ice packs as direct exposure to ice can freeze the medication. If you want to use ice packs, make sure there’s a barrier (e.g. towel) between the ice and the pens.

If you accidentally freeze the Wegovy pen, don’t attempt to thaw it. Even if it appears normal, the pen should be thrown away as the pen is no longer safe to use.

Traveling with Wegovy pens

Wegovy pens can be taken anywhere with you if they are stored properly. Keep the pens in the original carton to protect them from spills, direct exposure to sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Traveling with Wegovy pens by plane

You can take Wegovy pens with you when traveling by plane. Wegovy pens can be stored at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C) for up to 28 days. Keeping the pens in the checked luggage might expose them to extreme temperatures on the tarmac and in the baggage compartment. It is suggested to keep the pens with you or in your carry-on luggage.

Store the Wegovy pens in their original carton with the prescribing information from your healthcare professional. Wegovy may require special inspection at the airport as the pens contain liquid medication.  Keep them in a separate container and inform the TSA officer to speed up the screening process. Prescription drugs including Wegovy are exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

Traveling with Wegovy pens by car

When traveling by car, it’s important to ensure proper storage for Wegovy (semaglutide injections) as extreme temperatures and direct exposure to sunlight can break down the medication. Keep the injections in the original carton to protect them from direct sunlight and high temperatures.

Wegovy pens can be stored at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C) for up to 28 days but the inside of the car or trunk can be much higher or lower than that, depending on the temperature outside and exposure to sunlight.

To avoid exposing Wegovy pens to extreme temperatures when traveling by car, keep the pens in your handbag in their original carton and use cooling packs if needed. Place towels on the cooling packs to avoid direct contact with the injection pens. Direct exposure to ice may lead to the freezing of Wegovy pens, making them unsuitable for use. Alternatively, you can use a medication cooler bag for optimal cooling conditions.

Wegovy storage tips

Wegovy pens are single-use injections and must be discarded after use so you only need to worry about their storage before taking off the pen cap and using them for the first time. Wegovy pens can be stored in the fridge until the expiration date or at room temperature for up to 28 days.

Storing Wegovy in the refrigerator

The maker of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, suggests keeping the injection pens in the fridge to ensure they are suitable for use until their expiry date labeled with an “EXP” on the pen. Consider the following when keeping Wegovy injections in the refrigerator:

• Maintain the fridge temperature between 36°F – 46°F (2°C – 8°C).
• Keep the injections in the original carton to avoid direct exposure to light, spills, or crumbs, and do not take off the pen cap until you intend to inject Wegovy.
• Store the injections away from direct exposure to cooling elements to avoid accidental freezing.
• Do not place the Wegovy injections in the refrigerator door or crisper drawers because of temperature and humidity fluctuations.
• Store the Wegovy pens on an open shelf in the fridge, away from foods, liquids, and cooling elements.
• Do not keep liquid items above the pens to avoid accidental spills.

Storing Wegovy pens at room temperature

Wegovy injections can last for up to 28 days when kept at room temperature (below 86°F). You must discard the pen if it has been out of the fridge for more than 28 days or exposed to higher temperatures.

• Keep Wegovy pens in their original carton to protect them from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.
• The temperature must be below 86°F. Higher temperatures can affect the composition of the medication, making it unsuitable for use.
• Keep the injections in a dry place to avoid damage by moisture.
• Discard the injections after 28 days when stored outside the fridge, even if they have not expired according to the expiration date.
• If the injections expire before 28 days at room temperature, do not use them.

Storing Wegovy pens when traveling

Wegovy pens can be taken with you when traveling by car or plane. The following tips can help with storing Wegovy pens safely when traveling by car:

• Before traveling, check the expiration date on the pens to confirm they will be safe to use for the duration of your trip.
• Keep the pens in the original carton to protect them from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
• Do not keep the Wegovy pens in the trunk or next to any windows as high temperatures can break down the composition of the drug.
• At temperatures below 86°F (30°C), you can keep the pens with their original carton in your bag. For higher temperatures, use a medication cooler bag to keep the injections cool but always use a barrier between the ice (e.g. towel) to avoid direct contact with the ice.

Consider the following measures when traveling with Wegovy by plane:

• Keep the Wegovy injection pens with you in the cabin, stored in your carry-on luggage.
• Do not take the pens out of the original carton until necessary. Keeping the injections in the original carton with the prescribing information from your healthcare provider will help speed up the screening process.
• You can take medication cooling packs with you on the flight if needed.

Whether you travel by car or plane, put Wegovy in the refrigerator as soon as possible once you have arrived at your destination. For long trips, keep your Wegovy pens in a temperature-controlled environment. If the injections were stored at room temperature, use them within 28 days (regardless if you transfer them to the fridge later) or before they expire.

Bottom line

Wegovy (semaglutide) has special storage requirements that need to be followed to ensure the pens are safe and effective. If you store Wegovy pens in the refrigerator between 36°F – 46°F (2°C – 8°C), the pens are safe to use until their expiration date. When stored at room temperature up to 86°F (30°C), the pens can be used for up to 28 days or until their expiration date, whichever comes sooner.

It’s important to avoid extreme temperatures and direct sunlight when traveling with Wegovy pens. When traveling by car, don’t store the pens in the trunk or luggage. When traveling by plane, don’t store the pens in your check-in luggage and always keep the Wegovy pens with you in your carry-on luggage.

If you have concerns about Wegovy storage and whether it’s safe to use, speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.