Does Wegovy Need to Be Refrigerated? 5 Tips for Storing and Traveling with Wegovy

Traveling can be fun, but it can also require some planning — especially if you take medications with special storage requirements. And if you’ve been prescribed Wegovy (semaglutide), you may be looking for tips to help keep your medication safe while you’re on-the-go.

Knowing the basic Wegovy storage requirements is a good place to start. But what happens if you need to board a plane or take a long road trip? Whether you’re storing Wegovy at home or planning to travel, we’ve got you covered with five tips for storing and traveling with Wegovy.

1. Unopened Wegovy pens last longest if they’re stored in the refrigerator

If stored properly in the refrigerator, Wegovy pens should last until their expiration date (labeled as EXP on a Wegovy pen). But there are some “do’s and don’ts” when storing Wegovy in the refrigerator:

• Wegovy should be refrigerated at a temperature between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Before storing Wegovy in your refrigerator, make sure its temperature is within the proper range.

• Keep Wegovy in its original carton. Keeping Wegovy in its original carton can help protect it from light. Exposure to light may cause the medication inside the pen to break down and prevent it from working properly.

• Place Wegovy away from other refrigerated items. Don’t stack food or liquid items on top of your Wegovy carton. This will help prevent potential spills or contamination.

• Avoid shelving Wegovy on the refrigerator door. The temperature in this area can fluctuate as the refrigerator door is opened and closed throughout the day.

• Keep Wegovy away from the cooling element. The safest place for Wegovy is the middle of the refrigerator shelves. Putting it too close to the cooling element can cause it to freeze, which can affect how well Wegovy works.

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Each Wegovy pen is used one time before it’s thrown away. So, you only need to be worried about storing new Wegovy pens before use.

Good to know: It’s OK to take your Wegovy pen out of the refrigerator before you inject your dose. This allows the medication to come to room temperature, which can lessen stinging from the injection.

2. Unopened Wegovy pens can also be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days

Sometimes, refrigeration isn’t possible. For example, your refrigerator may stop working or you may be traveling. In these cases, you can store Wegovy in its original carton at room temperature (46°F to 86°F) for up to 28 days. You can keep track of this date by writing it on the carton or putting a reminder on your calendar.

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Note: If the expiration date on the Wegovy pen is sooner than 28 days, you shouldn’t use the pen beyond the expiration date.

3. Don’t store Wegovy pens in the freezer or use Wegovy pens that have been frozen

Never store Wegovy pens in the freezer. The extreme cold temperature can cause the medication inside the pen to break down and not work properly. This can also happen if you put Wegovy directly on ice or ice packs.

Ice packs may seem like a good idea to keep Wegovy cool. But direct exposure to ice can freeze the medication. If you want to use ice packs in a cooler, make sure there’s a barrier (like a towel) so the ice and Wegovy pens aren’t directly touching.

If you accidentally freeze your Wegovy pen, don’t attempt to thaw it. Even if the thawed medication appears normal, it may not actually be effective. Throw away any frozen or thawed Wegovy pens and use a new pen instead.

4. Keep your Wegovy pens away from excessive heat and direct sunlight

Wegovy should always be kept away from excessive heat and direct sunlight. Since Wegovy is sensitive to heat and light, these conditions can affect how well it works.

Ideally, you should keep Wegovy in cool, dry places inside the house. Avoid putting it near bright windows or on hot surfaces, such as in the kitchen or outdoors. And you shouldn’t store Wegovy in a humid or steamy environment, such as the bathroom. To protect the medication from direct sunlight, keep the cap on your Wegovy pen until just prior to use.

Remember: Always check the Wegovy pen window prior to injecting your dose. If the liquid inside appears cloudy or has particles, don’t use it. It’s possible that it has been exposed to extreme temperatures or light. Throw that pen out and use a new Wegovy pen instead.

What should you do if your Wegovy pen is exposed to heat?

If your Wegovy pen is mailed or delivered at a warm temperature, or if you’re concerned about accidentally exposing it to heat, call your pharmacist. You can also call the Wegovy helpline at 1-833-493-4689 for guidance.

5. Keep Wegovy storage requirements in mind while traveling

Taking Wegovy on trips may seem like a challenge because of how it should be stored. But it just takes a little planning to set yourself up for success.

Bring your Wegovy pens through security in your carry-on luggage if you’re traveling by plane

Always bring your Wegovy pens with you in your carry-on luggage while traveling by plane. If it’s packed in your checked luggage, it may be exposed to extreme temperatures or pressure in the plane’s cargo hold. What’s more, it could get lost if your luggage doesn’t make it to your destination.

Wegovy may require special inspection at the airport since the pens contain liquid medication. 

It may help to bring the medication carton, your prescription, or a note from your healthcare professional to show airport personnel, if needed.

Pro tip: Keep your Wegovy pens and supplies stored in a separate bag when traveling by plane. If you’re asked to check your bag, you can easily separate it from the rest of your belongings.

For long road trips, keep your Wegovy pens in a temperature-controlled environment

For long road trips, keep your Wegovy with you in the main interior of the car. It’s best to avoid storing Wegovy in the car’s trunk, where temperatures can be extreme. And if you have long stops while traveling, try to carry your Wegovy pens with you. Leaving Wegovy in the car or your luggage may expose it to temperatures that make it less effective.

You can also use a medication cooler bag or portable refrigerator with a temperature reader. It may give you peace of mind knowing your medication is in the recommended temperature range while on the road.

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Written by:

Niousha Nader, PharmD, BCCCP

Niousha Nader, PharmD, BCCCP is a critical care and geriatric specialist. She has over 12 years of hospital experience, which also includes pediatric, emergency, surgical, and oncologic pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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