What happens if you use expired semaglutide?

Wondering if you can still use the semaglutide pens in your refrigerator? Wait, they might be expired!

Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus, has become a popular choice of GLP-1 receptor agonists among patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ozempic and Rybelsus for blood sugar level management in type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management in obese and overweight individuals with at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia.

However, these semaglutide medications must be used before their expiration date to ensure safety and efficacy. Changes in the composition of the drug past the expiry date may cause infections and worsen existing health conditions.

In this article, we have explained the potential risks of using expired semaglutide, why you must always check the expiration date or beyond-use-date (BUD), and what to do with expired semaglutide injections, for informational purposes.

What happens when semaglutide expires?

Semaglutide injections, vials, and tablets comprise multiple compounds, including active ingredients and excipients (inactive ingredients). As the medication passes the shelf life, the compounds can break down, leading to changes in how the drug might react in the body. Here are the possible problems associated with expired semaglutide:

• Loss of potency: Pharmaceutical companies ensure that you get the maximum efficacy of the medication until it expires. The medication will no longer provide the same pharmacological action as it did before the expiry date. If you’re taking semaglutide for obesity or weight loss, this means that you may not reduce your appetite and food cravings as normally expected.
• Chemical changes: When the semaglutide injection expires, the compounds in the expired medication begin to disintegrate. The compounds formed as a result of these chemical changes within the drug can be dangerous for your health.

Risks of using expired semaglutide

Expired semaglutide loses its efficacy and may not help in your weight loss journey and blood sugar control. Expired medications come with multiple risks, including unexpected side effects, worsened health conditions, and adverse reactions.

• Ineffective treatment: The changes in the potency and efficacy of the medication lead to ineffective treatment. If you’re taking expired Wegovy for weight loss, you might not feel fuller for a long time or get the same weight loss results as before. Similarly, expired Ozempic or Rybelsus may not help regulate blood sugar levels.
• Unpredictable side effects: Pharmaceutical companies are responsible for the drug’s effects on your body until the expiry date of the medication. Using expired semaglutide may not only increase the risk for known side effects but may also lead to unexpected side effects and adverse reactions. Medications are tested for safety and efficacy up to their expiration date, so you may risk serious adverse reactions when using expired semaglutide.
• Worsening of existing conditions: While semaglutide drugs facilitate weight loss and blood sugar control, using expired medication may worsen existing health conditions.
• Increased risk of infections: Semaglutide injections are prepared in a sterile environment to ensure no cross-contamination occurs. This avoids the growth of fungi and bacteria in the solution until the expiry date when stored adequately. However, manufacturing companies, including Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, do not guarantee the sterility of GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide beyond the expiration date; the pathogens in the expired injections and vials can cause infections. Semaglutide injections come in solution form and there’s a greater risk of contamination, bacterial, or fungal growth in the solution when using the medication beyond its shelf life.

How to know if semaglutide is expired

Checking the expiry date is critical to ensuring the efficacy and safety of semaglutide.

Consider these three factors to understand if the medication has expired or is unsafe to use:

• Check the expiration date: You can find the expiration date on the side flap of the box where it says ‘EXP’ along with the serial number and lot number. The injection pen also has the expiry date mentioned next to the brand name. For compounded semaglutide, check the beyond-use-date (BUD) on the vial to know when it expires. Make sure that the drug has not passed the expiration date before administering.
• Visual inspection: Semaglutide injections are colorless and free from any particles, appearing clear. However, changes in color or particles in the solution may be an indication of an expired or potentially harmful product that should not be used.
• Storage conditions: Each box of semaglutide medication mentions the proper storage instructions to keep it safe until the expiry date. Improper storage, such as freezing the medication or exposing it to direct sunlight, heat, or moisture, can cause it to deteriorate faster.

Does Ozempic and Wegovy expire?

Yes, semaglutide medications expire after the ‘EXP’ date specified on the packing. Using these drugs after the expiration date is not suggested by the manufacturer and healthcare professionals.

Ozempic is typically good for 56 days once opened if stored in the fridge or at room temperature.

Does compounded semaglutide expire?

Compounded semaglutide also expires after a specific period. You can find the beyond-use-date (BUD) on the packaging; it may vary depending on the compounding pharmacy.

Compounded semaglutide is typically good for 28 days once opened if stored in the fridge or at room temperature, but always check the beyond-use-date (BUD) on the vial to be sure as this may vary by compounding pharmacy.

What is the beyond-use-date (BUD)?

The beyond-use-date (BUD) on the vial is similar to the expiration date, indicating the efficacy and safety window of the drug. The BUD of medication is calculated from the day of compounding or the date the vial is punctured (opened), and a compounded drug may not be stored or transported after the BUD. Generally, compounded semaglutide can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 28 days after it’s opened, according to the instructions by the compounding pharmacy.

What to do with expired semaglutide

Expired semaglutide can be dangerous for health. You should discard it and replace it with a new batch of injection pens or vials for your weekly dose.

Do not flush or dispose of the expired pens and vials into your regular trash. Always use a sharps disposal container to dispose of your expired semaglutide medication. If you do not have an FDA-approved sharps container, use a tight-fitting, leak-resistant container made of heavy-duty plastic with a puncture-resistant lid to dispose of expired Rybelsus, Ozempic, or Wegovy. It is suggested to label the container to avoid hazards.

When your container is full, dispose of it the right way according to your local community guidelines. You can also request a free sharps disposal or medicine return container from Novo Nordisk, and they will dispose of the expired medication container for you. Throw all the expired Novo Nordisk medicines in the medicine return container. Make sure to keep the medication disposal containers away from the reach of children and pets.

Expired semaglutide medicines lose their efficacy and must be replaced with a new batch. Make sure to order your new prescription in time so you do not miss your next dose.

How to know if semaglutide has gone bad

Semaglutide medications may become unsuitable for use, even before the expiry date, if not stored properly. Extreme temperatures that are too warm or too cold, and direct sunlight exposure, can affect semaglutide.

Always inspect your medication before use, even if the medication hasn’t expired yet.

A change in the color of the medication indicates that it is unsuitable for use. Semaglutide should be:

• Transparent (clear)
• Colorless
• Unfrozen
• Free from particles

If the medication is colored, cloudy or frozen, you should be able to see floating particles in the solution which means that you should throw away the medication and not use it.

If you are unsure, always exercise caution and check with your healthcare provider before using the medication. They may provide you with a new prescription.

Using degraded or spoiled semaglutide comes with similar risks as using expired semaglutide and may not be as effective, or even worse, may cause dangerous or unknown side effects.

Safety tips

It’s important to store your medication properly. Compounded semaglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus must be stored in a cold and dry area, away from direct heat, sunlight, and moisture.

Keep semaglutide injections in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F (2°C and 8°C). You can keep Wegovy injections at room temperature between 46°F and 86°F (8°C and 30°C) for up to 28 days and Ozempic for up to 56 days. Make sure not to freeze the injections before or after the first time use.

Always check the expiry date on the medicine packing, usually marked with ‘EXP’ or ‘BUD’ to ensure it is safe to use. Setting reminders for the expiry date can also help you replace the drug before expiration.

f you have any concerns or confusion about the medication and its expiry, speak with your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use semaglutide a few days after its expiration date?

While you might not want to discard expired and unused semaglutide injections, it’s not worth the risk. Using semaglutide a few days after its expiration date can increase the chance of known side effects and may cause adverse reactions or unexpected side effects. Healthcare providers suggest discarding the medication after the expiry date.

What are the signs of a semaglutide side effect?

Constipation, diarrhea, stomach ache, and nausea are the most common side effects of semaglutide. You might experience changes in vision, irregular heartbeat, fever, swelling on the site of injection, or allergic reaction symptoms.

How long can I store semaglutide?

You can store unopened Ozempic pens in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C), until the expiration date. Used pens can be refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) or stored at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C) for up to 56 days after the first use. Wegovy injection pens can be refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C or at room temperature (below 30°C) for 28 days. Rybelsus (tablets) can be stored at room temperature 68°F–77°F (20°C–25°C).

Where can I dispose of expired medications?

Expired semaglutide vials and injection pens must be disposed of using an FDA-approved sharps container to avoid harm to adults, children, and pets. If you don’t have a sharps container, use a sturdy, spill-free plastic container with a tight lid. You can get the sharps container from a pharmacy near you or order it from Novo Nordisk. In case you do not have a sharps container, use a tight-fitted container made of heavy duty plastic with a puncture-resistant lid.

Can expired semaglutide still work?

No, the compounds in expired semaglutide might change their composition as a result of decomposition, making it unsuitable for use. The medication loses its efficacy and potency beyond the expiration date, impacting its effect on the body.

Is it harmful to use expired semaglutide?

Using expired semaglutide medication can lead to side effects and adverse effects. It may also pose further health risks like worsening your existing health conditions.

Bottom line

Using expired semaglutide is risky and not recommended because it may not be as effective and safe. It’s always recommended not to use expired medications for your safety.

You should always check the expiration date and the appearance of the solution to ensure its efficacy and safety before each use. Changes in the color and transparency of the solution also indicate chemical decomposition, which may impact its potency and increase the risk of unexpected side effects and adverse reactions.

Properly storing the medication in the refrigerator keeps it suitable for use until the expiry date. Make sure the medication is not exposed to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight. The medication should be stored in a cool and dry place when stored outside of the fridge.

Use a sharps disposal container to dispose of used or expired Ozempic and Wegovy injections and vials carefully.

Speak with your healthcare professional if you have any questions or unsure if your medication is safe to use.