Does Zepbound need to be refrigerated?

Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in people with overweight or obesity. Like Mounjaro, it is a once-weekly injection that comes in pre-filled pens that need to be refrigerated. We spoke with Dr. Felix Gussone, MD about how to store your Zepbound pen. 

Yes, you should keep Zepbound in the refrigerator. According to the manufacturer, Eli Lilly, Zepbound pens should be stored in a cool dark place, between 36-46° Fahrenheit (2-8° Celsius). Zepbound can be stored at room temperature, meaning unrefrigerated, for up to 21 days, but should never be exposed to temperatures above 86° Fahrenheit (30° Celsius). If you’re traveling, you can take your medication with you and it can remain unrefrigerated and at room temperature for up to three weeks. Zepbound pens should never be frozen. 

If you store the pen at room temperature, do not return it to the refrigerator, and discard it if you don’t use it within 21 days after taking it out of the fridge. When the medication spends too long out of the refrigerator, the active ingredients can start to break down, making the medication less effective. 

When you take a Zepbound pen out of the refrigerator to inject it, it is unnecessary to warm it to room temperature. You can inject the medication into your abdomen, upper arm, or thigh. 

Zepbound is expected to be available in the U.S. by the end of 2023. In a media briefing, Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks said that the company expects to have Zepbound on pharmacy shelves after the Thanksgiving holiday, according to news outlets. 

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Current version

November 15, 2023

Written by

Felix Gussone, MD

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.