Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated? How to store Wegovy the right way
Reviewed by Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro,
Written by Amelia Willson
last updated: Jan 25, 2024
5 min read
Key takeaways
Ideally, Wegovy should be kept refrigerated between 36°F to 46°F( 2°C to 8°C).
Wegovy can remain for up to 28 days at room temperature (46°F to 86°F, or 8°C to 30°C).
When traveling with Wegovy, keep Wegovy in its original carton and avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
If Wegovy freezes, throw away the pen and use a new pen.
Here's what we'll cover
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription injection medication FDA-approved to treat obesity and help with weight loss in combination with diet and exercise.
Maybe you’ve recently started taking Wegovy for weight loss. Or, you’ve been taking Wegovy for a while, but now you’re about to go on vacation for the first time since starting treatment.
Whatever the case may be, you’re probably wondering how to store Wegovy the right way. Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated? How long can Wegovy last at room temperature? Read on as we answer these questions and share tips for storing Wegovy safely, both at home and on the road.
Wegovy Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
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Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?
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 to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). 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 in order 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 don’t store Wegovy in the refrigerator door, where the temperature can fluctuate more.
Once you are ready to use Wegovy, you can remove it from the fridge and keep it at room temperature so that it is slightly less cold when you’re ready to inject Wegovy.
Remember: Because Wegovy pens are single-use, you only need to worry about how to store the injection pens before their first use. Once you use a Wegovy pen, dispose of the pen in a medical sharps container.
How long can Wegovy be stored at room temperature?
Maybe your refrigerator stopped working, or you’re experiencing a power outage. Not to worry: Wegovy can be stored at room temperature (46°F to 86°F, or 8°C to 30°C) for up to 28 days. It should be kept in its original carton and stored away from light. 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).
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.
Can you freeze Wegovy?
No, Wegovy should absolutely not be frozen. If the liquid in your Wegovy pen is frozen, throw away the pen and use a new pen. To avoid freezing, ensure that your refrigerator is set to between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) and store Wegovy away from any cooling elements.
How to travel with Wegovy pens
It is absolutely possible to travel with Wegovy pens. You just need to do a bit of planning upfront. Follow these tips, and you’ll be set!
How to travel with Wegovy pens 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 to 86°F, or 8°C to 30°C), but the inside of a car or trunk can get much higher 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.
How to travel with Wegovy pens 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 to 86°F, or 8°C to 30°C), 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 where it can be exposed to extreme temperatures. Also, checked luggage can sit on the tarmac for periods of time where it can be exposed to heat, cold, and moisture.
As prescription drugs, Wegovy pens are exempt from the 3-1-1 liquids rule. However, a 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.
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.
Tips for storing your Wegovy pens
Whether you’re at home or traveling, follow these tips for storing your Wegovy pens.
Tips for storing Wegovy pens in the refrigerator
Keeping Wegovy refrigerated is the best way to help the pens 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 to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
Keep Wegovy in its original carton to protect the pens 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.
Tips for storing Wegovy pens 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 to 46°F, or 2°C to 8°C) or at room temperature (46°F to 86°F, or 8°C to 30°C). Wegovy can last for up to 28 days at room temperature.
When you get to your destination, consider placing Wegovy back in the refrigerator if possible. Ensure the refrigerator temperature is set to 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).
If you have any questions about taking Wegovy while traveling, ask a healthcare professional and follow their medical advice.
DISCLAIMER
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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Transportation Security Administration (TSA). (n.d.). TSA Cares - Disabilities and Medical Conditions. Retrieved from https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/disabilities-and-medical-conditions
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2015). Refrigeration & Food Safety. Retrieved from https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/refrigeration
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (2023). Highlights of Prescribing Information: Wegovy (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215256s007lbl.pdf
How we reviewed this article
Current version
Amelia Willson
Yael Cooperman, MD
About the medical reviewer
