Should Ozempic be refrigerated?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is a once-weekly injectable medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating type 2 diabetes—along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It’s also used to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as stroke, heart attack, or death, in adults with diabetes and heart disease. In some cases, it may be prescribed off-label to help with weight loss. We spoke with Dr. Yael Cooperman, MD about whether Ozempic needs to be refrigerated. 

Ozempic should be refrigerated to be kept between 36°F and 46°F until the first use. After using the prefilled pen for the first time, you can then store it at either room temperature (59°F to 86°F) or in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F) for up to 56 days. Don’t put the medication in the freezer at any time.  

Any unused Ozempic pens can remain in the refrigerator until they reach the expiration date on the label. Always dispose of expired pens, even if they’re unused and properly stored in the fridge.  

If your Ozempic pen was left out overnight, and you have already used at least one dose of it, you can continue to use the pen—a used Ozempic pen can be left at room temperature (59°F to 86°F) for up to 56 days after being used for the first time. 

However, Ozempic should always be stored in the refrigerator until its first use. If you left your Ozempic pen out overnight before its first use, contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider before using it. They may recommend that you dispose of that pen and start a new one before your next weekly injection. 

After the first use, Ozempic can be left unrefrigerated at room temperature (59°F to 86°F) for up to 56 days. The pen should be disposed of after 56 days, even if there is medicine remaining in the pen. 

If left unrefrigerated before first use, you should contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider. They may recommend that you dispose of the pen. 

A new, unused Ozempic pen should be stored in the refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F before first use. Once used, it can be stored for 56 days at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F or in a refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F. Ozempic will expire 56 days after the pen’s first use and should be properly disposed of, even if there is medicine remaining in the pen. It’s recommended to keep track of this date so you know when it’s time to start a new pen. 

It’s important to keep Ozempic away from light and heat. You should replace the pen cap after each dose of Ozempic to protect the medicine from the light. You should also avoid storing your Ozempic pen in the freezer or near the refrigeration cooling element to avoid cooling it below the recommended storage temperature. Do not use Ozempic if it has been frozen. 

If you have questions about storing your Ozempic medication, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare professional. They will provide medical advice, review possible side effects, and help answer any questions you may have to ensure you get the best results from your prescription diabetes medication. 

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How we reviewed this article

Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

November 15, 2023

Written by

Health Guide Team

Fact checked by

Yael Cooperman, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro

Yael Cooperman is a physician and works as a Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.