Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?

Like many other medications, Wegovy requires careful storage to stay safe and effective. But what does this entail, exactly? Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?

Yes, the popular weight loss medication should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F–46°F until its labeled expiration date. But that doesn’t mean it can’t spend some time at room temperature when necessary, such as when traveling back from the pharmacy or even halfway around the world. 

Read on to learn the dos and don’ts of Wegovy storage so you can be sure you’re handling your medication safely at home and on the road. 

Yes, Wegovy lasts the longest when stored in the refrigerator. Ensure that your refrigerator is set to the ideal temperature for storing Wegovy, between 36°F and 46°F. When storing Wegovy in the refrigerator, keep the pens with their pen caps on and in their original carton to protect them from light. 

Avoid storing Wegovy directly next to any cooling elements to prevent the medication from freezing. If possible, store Wegovy on an open shelf in your fridge, away from food or liquids that could spill on it. Do not store Wegovy in crisper drawers, which may have increased humidity, and in the refrigerator door, where the temperature can fluctuate more. 

Once you’re ready to use Wegovy, you can remove it from the fridge and keep it at room temperature so that it is slightly less cold upon injecting. If needed, Wegovy can be stored out of the fridge at a room temperature of 46°F–86°F for up to 28 days.

Remember: Because Wegovy pens are single-use, you only need to worry about how to store them before their first use. Once you use a Wegovy pen, dispose of it in a medical sharps container.

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Ideally, Wegovy should be kept refrigerated. But, if necessary, the medication can be stored at room temperature (46°F-86°F) for up to 28 days, as long as the pen remains capped. To help you remember, write down the date you took it out of the fridge (or, better yet, calculate the date 28 days in the future and make a note to toss the pen if you don’t use it by then). When Wegovy isn’t in the fridge, make sure to keep it in its original carton and out of direct sunlight.

If the expiration date (marked with an “EXP” on the pen itself) is less than 28 days away, only store Wegovy at room temperature for the amount of time left before it expires. 

Yes, you can inject Wegovy cold, even as soon as you take it out of the refrigerator. However, some people find that doing so can cause stinging at the injection site. Letting the medication sit for about 30 minutes at room temperature may reduce that sensation. 

If you choose to let Wegovy sit at room temperature before your injection, do not place the pen under direct sunlight or use any other method to warm it up. This can cause the medication to degrade or break down. If the pen is exposed to temperatures above 86°F, you should discard the pen and use a new one for the injection.

No, Wegovy should absolutely not be frozen. If the liquid in your Wegovy pen is frozen, throw away the pen in a sharps container and use a new one — even if the medicine looks normal or has thawed. To avoid freezing, ensure that your refrigerator is set to 36°F–46°F and store Wegovy away from any cooling elements. Similarly, if you are traveling with Wegovy in a cooler, make sure that the Wegovy pens do not directly touch any ice packs. Keep a towel or other barrier between the ice and the Wegovy carton.

It is absolutely possible to travel with Wegovy pens (and any semaglutide medication, for that matter). You just need to do a bit of planning upfront. Follow these tips, and you’ll be set!

By car

If you are going on a road trip, you can bring your Wegovy pens with you. Keep them in their original carton and take care to store them away from light or extreme temperatures. Wegovy can last for up to 28 days at room temperature (46°F–86°F), but the inside of a car or trunk can get much hotter than that, depending on the temperature outside and the amount of sunlight pouring in. 

To avoid exposing Wegovy pens to extreme temperatures while traveling by car, don’t leave Wegovy in the trunk or car, where temperatures can climb quickly. Instead, keep your pens with you (ideally in their carton) in a bag or tote you can take with you whenever you park the car.

You may wonder if storing Wegovy in a cooler is a good way to keep it refrigerated. But the safer option is usually to keep the carton in a bag with you. Storing Wegovy next to ice packs in a cooler may lead the pens to freeze and become unusable. If you’re set on using a cooler, separate the Wegovy carton from the ice packs as much as possible (e.g. by using a towel) so they don’t directly touch. Or purchase a medication travel cooler bag that is insulated and designed for this purpose.

By plane

If you are traveling by plane, you can also bring your Wegovy pens with you. Wegovy can last for up to 28 days at room temperature (46°F–86°F), so you’ll be fine to take it with you during air travel. Just make sure to keep the Wegovy pens in their original carton (to protect them from light) and to keep them in your carry-on luggage. 

Checked luggage is stored beneath the plane in the cargo hold, where it can be exposed to extreme temperatures. It can also sit on the tarmac for extended periods of time, during which it can be exposed to heat, cold, and moisture, and there’s always a chance it could get delayed or lost. So, you definitely want to avoid packing Wegovy in your checked luggage.

As prescription drugs, Wegovy pens are exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule. However, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer may request to screen your Wegovy pens separately. So, it can be helpful to keep them in a separate container (such as their original carton) that is easily removable from your carry-on luggage. When you reach the TSA checkpoint, place the carton in its own bin or bowl to expedite the screening process. 

Keeping Wegovy in its original carton can also speed up the screening process, as the TSA officer can clearly see the prescription information and medication name on the Wegovy carton. If you have your prescription from your prescribing healthcare provider handy, go ahead and bring that with you, too.

Whether you’re at home or traveling, follow these tips for storing your Wegovy pens.

In the refrigerator

Keeping Wegovy pens refrigerated is the best way to help them last until their expiration date, which is labeled with an “EXP” on the pen. Follow these tips for safely storing Wegovy pens in the refrigerator.

• Ensure your refrigerator temperature is set to somewhere between 36°F and 46°F.

• Keep Wegovy in its original carton to protect it from light, spills, or crumbs.

• Place the Wegovy carton on an open shelf in your refrigerator away from food, liquids, and any cooling elements. 

• Do not store food, liquid, or other items on top of the Wegovy carton.  

• Avoid storing Wegovy in the refrigerator door or crisper drawers, where the temperature and humidity conditions can change.

While traveling

Follow these tips for safely storing Wegovy pens while traveling.

• Check the Wegovy expiration date before your travel to confirm your pens will still be safe to use during your trip.

• Keep Wegovy in its original carton to protect the pens from light and damage while traveling.

• Avoid storing Wegovy pens in the trunk or by any windows where they may be exposed to extreme heat and direct sunlight.

• If traveling by car, keep Wegovy in its original carton in a bag that you can take with you whenever you park. Do not leave the medication in the car or trunk.

• If traveling by plane, keep Wegovy in its original carton in a separate bag from the rest of your carry-on luggage so TSA can inspect it if needed. Do not pack Wegovy in checked luggage.

• While traveling, keep Wegovy refrigerated (36°F–46°F) or at room temperature (46°F–86°F). Wegovy can last for up to 28 days at room temperature.

• When you arrive at your destination, consider placing Wegovy back in the refrigerator if possible. Ensure the refrigerator temperature is set at 36°F–46°F.

If you have any questions about taking Wegovy while traveling, ask a healthcare professional and follow their medical advice.

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So, does Wegovy need to be refrigerated? Ideally, yes, Wegovy should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F–46°F whenever possible. However, it’s also safe to store the medication at room temperature (46°F–86°F) for up to 28 days — as long as the pen hasn’t been uncapped. Here are some more Wegovy storage tips:

• Never freeze Wegovy or expose it to extreme temperatures, as doing so can compromise the medication.

• When traveling, keep Wegovy in its original carton to protect it from light, damage, and temperature extremes. If traveling by car, keep it in a bag near you and take it out of the car when you park. If traveling by air, pack Wegovy in your carry-on luggage.

• You can also store Wegovy in a cooler while traveling — just be sure to avoid placing the drug directly against any ice packs. Pro tip: Place a towel between the carton and the ice.

• You can inject Wegovy cold, as soon as you remove it from the refrigerator. You can also let it sit at room temperature (away from light) to make the injection more comfortable. 

• Once used, Wegovy pens should be safely discarded in a medical sharps container.