If you use GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy, Saxenda, or Mounjaro, you are surely aware of how important their correct application is. But have you also considered how crucial proper storage is? Because the effectiveness of these medications depends heavily on how they are kept.
If you take multiple medications, it seems practical to keep them all in the same place, for example in the bathroom. However, GLP-1 medications with active ingredients such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic), liraglutide (Saxenda), or tirzepatide (Mounjaro), also known as weight-loss injections, have special requirements for storage and safekeeping.
Here, you will learn how to store GLP-1 medications correctly, how to transport and cool them while traveling, and what you should keep in mind regarding shelf life.
How do I store weight-loss injections before first use?
Unopened pens such as Wegovy, Saxenda, or Mounjaro must absolutely be stored correctly to ensure their full effectiveness until the expiration date. Medications have been proven to lose effectiveness when stored in conditions that are too warm, too humid, or exposed to light, which is why the correct storage of the pens is of critical importance. As long as the pens are unopened, you can use them until the expiration date printed on the label, provided they have been kept refrigerated consistently.
Comparison of shelf life - What makes GLP-1 medications special?
Compared to many other medications requiring refrigeration, GLP-1 medications have a relatively long shelf life at room temperature. Insulin remains stable at temperatures up to 30 °C for about 28 days, similar to Wegovy and Saxenda. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is somewhat more sensitive and can only be used for up to 21 days unrefrigerated. Liquid antibiotics like amoxicillin must be kept constantly refrigerated and only have a shelf life of 14 days. Some eye drops, ointments (such as eye or antibiotic ointments), and vaccines have an even shorter shelf life, remaining stable for only a few days or weeks without refrigeration. These examples illustrate that GLP-1 medications are more robust compared to other sensitive substances, but should still be handled carefully according to storage instructions.
Storing weight-loss injections correctly according to the package leaflet
Information on medication storage can be found on the packaging and the package leaflet.
- Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.
- Store in the original packaging to protect the contents from light.
- Store in the refrigerator (2 °C – 8 °C) before first use.
- Do not freeze the medication.
How long can the medication be stored unrefrigerated, below 30 ºC?
- Wegovy: up to 28 days
- Saxenda: up to 28 days
- Mounjaro: up to 21 days
Proper storage of your medications at home.
GLP-1 receptor agonists are sensitive peptide hormones that can lose stability under certain conditions. These medications are sensitive to factors such as temperature fluctuations, light, and humidity. Therefore, always keep your medications in their original packaging. When you are not using the pen, leave the pen cap on to protect the contents from light. If a medication is stored improperly, this can lead to the degradation of the active substances, which in turn means the medication loses its effectiveness.
Unopened pens can be used until the expiration date printed on the label, provided the medication has been stored correctly in the refrigerator.
Important information: Never freeze Wegovy, Saxenda, or Mounjaro, and do not use it if it has been frozen. Make sure the medications are not placed against the back wall of the refrigerator, near the cooling element. In the worst case, it can be cold enough there to freeze the products.
Correct temperature: SoLean tip
Digital temperature monitoring for maximum safety: To ensure that your GLP-1 medications are always stored optimally, especially when traveling or during short-term interruptions to cooling, you can invest in a digital temperature monitoring device. These compact devices can be easily placed in your medication bag and will alert you immediately if the temperature drops into the critical range – that is, below 2 °C or above 30 °C. Learn more about GLP-1 and high temperatures in the article: Weight-loss injections in summer: GLP-1 medications and heat
Why protection from light is important
Not only high heat, but also light can impair the stability of GLP-1 medications. The active ingredients contained in the pens can be degraded by UV radiation. Therefore, it is essential to leave the pens in their original packaging, which is specifically designed to block light. This applies not only to GLP-1 medications: other light-sensitive medications, such as antibiotic eye drops or hormone injections, also require this type of protection.
Is humidity a problem?
Yes, humidity can be a problem for weight-loss injections. For this reason, neither the bathroom nor the kitchen are suitable places to store medication properly. The humidity in these rooms is often too high due to showering, bathing, or cooking. This could harm the medication and affect its effectiveness. Here are the reasons why you should avoid humidity:
1. Impairment of effectiveness
Humidity can cause the active ingredients in the injections to change their chemical structure. This can reduce or even completely destroy the effectiveness of the medication. Humidity can also encourage the ingress of germs or contaminants.
2. Damage to the packaging
If the packaging or the pen itself is damaged by humidity, the medication can no longer be used hygienically or safely. Especially with prolonged contact with moisture, labels, instructions for use, or protective caps can be damaged.
3. Mold formation
Humidity, especially in combination with warm temperatures, can promote the growth of mold. If the injections are stored in a humid environment, there is a risk that mold or other microorganisms will contaminate the injections or the packaging.
How to protect the injections from humidity:
Store in a dry place: When not in the refrigerator, store the injections in a dry, well-ventilated room, away from sources of humidity like those in the bathroom or kitchen.
Original packaging: Leave the injections in their original packaging as long as you are not using them.
Refrigerator humidity: If you store the injections in the refrigerator, make sure they do not come into contact with condensation. Store them, for example, in a separate compartment or an airtight box.
Do GLP-1 medications always have to be refrigerated?
A common question is: Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated? We can give a clear and reassuring answer: If necessary, the medication can be stored unrefrigerated for up to 28 days (Wegovy and Saxenda) or 21 days (Mounjaro) at temperatures below 30 ºC.
This option for unrefrigerated storage means that you can either
- store your medication unrefrigerated for up to 28 or 21 consecutive days at temperatures not exceeding 30 °C, or
- you can take it out of the refrigerator, store it at room temperature (not above 30°C) for a few days, and then return it to the refrigerator
Important note: You must count the days that you have stored your medication outside of refrigeration at room temperature (not above 30°C), because in total, the GLP-1 medication must not be unrefrigerated for more than 28 or 21 days.
SoLean tip: Mark the storage temperature next to the expiration date on the packaging and note when you opened the medication or product. Always store the medication with this information facing up. This way, you always have everything in view.
How does SoLean ship GLP-1 medications?
SoLean's partner mail-order pharmacies ship GLP-1 medications safely and refrigerated in a sturdy box, which is stored inside a neutral shipping carton. Our customer service team will contact you before shipping to ensure that someone is at home on the day of delivery to receive the package and continue cooling the medications.
When do I have to dispose of the medication?
You must no longer use medications such as Wegovy, Saxenda, or Mounjaro if:
- The medication has been stored unrefrigerated for a total of more than 28 days (Wegovy and Saxenda) or 21 days (Mounjaro)
- If the medication was exposed to heat above 30°C
- If the medication was frozen
- If you notice that the medication is damaged or the medicinal solution is cloudy, discolored, or contains particles
- After the expiration date: The "use by" or "expiry date" indicated on the packaging and label must not be exceeded. The expiration date refers to the last day of the month indicated.
Why you should not use GLP-1 medications after the expiration date
After the expiration date of a medication, you should not use it under any circumstances. The reason is that the stability and effect of medications cannot be guaranteed after the expiration date. Particularly with biological medications such as GLP-1 analogs (Wegovy, Saxenda, Mounjaro), proteins or peptides can change their structure or degrade over time. As a result, the medication can lose its effect or, worse, cause undesirable side effects.
Such changes can only be identified and assessed through laboratory testing. For this reason, medicinal products should not be used after their expiration date.
Furthermore, the preservatives in the solution may no longer provide sufficient protection, which increases the risk of contamination and infection. Therefore, it is important to take the expiration date seriously. Important: Expired medications must be disposed of properly.
What to do with expired medications? Disposal instructions.
Expired weight-loss injections must not be disposed of in household waste unprotected. They contain active ingredients that can be harmful to the environment, and the injections themselves are classified as special medical waste. Here are some options for how you can dispose of them correctly:
- Pharmacies: Many pharmacies offer the option to take back unused or old medications. Ask your local pharmacist if this service is offered there. Often, the medications are then disposed of professionally through special disposal companies.
- Hazardous waste collection points: Some municipalities have special collection points for medical waste where injections and medications can also be dropped off. Check with your local waste management authority to find out where such a collection point is located and what the requirements are.
- Medical facilities: In some cases, you can also drop off expired medications at hospitals or doctor's offices. These facilities often have appropriate disposal channels for medical waste.
- Old medication collection campaigns: Some cities and municipalities regularly organize collection campaigns for old or expired medications. These are a good way to safely get rid of your old weight-loss injections.
Important notes:
Expired or no longer needed weight-loss injections may be disposed of in household waste if they are safely packaged in a puncture-proof container, such as a plastic bottle or a special needle container, provided there are no specific regional regulations. To ensure you are using the correct method, it is recommended to check with your pharmacy or local disposal site. Under no circumstances should the injections be disposed of in household waste unprotected.
By disposing of them correctly, you ensure that neither the environment nor people are endangered by the expired medications.
Traveling with Wegovy & co. - what do I need to keep in mind?
The cooling of medications can require special attention when traveling. Here is how to transport refrigerated medications without them losing their effectiveness:
How do I transport refrigerated GLP-1 medications when traveling?
When traveling, always keep the medications in your carry-on luggage so that you take them into the cabin if you are traveling by plane, bus, train, ship, or car. Temperatures in cargo holds could be too hot or too cold. If you decide to transport the medication in a cooler bag, make sure it does not freeze. Protect it from direct contact with ice, frozen cooling elements, or freezing temperatures (0 °C and below).
What do I need to keep in mind at customs when traveling with GLP-1 medications?
Be prepared for questions when entering a country, e.g., why you are carrying the medication. For international travel, you should inform yourself about any rules or restrictions regarding the carriage of medications with the authorities of the destination country. This applies especially for travel outside the European Union (EU).
What do I need to keep in mind regarding air travel and security checks when traveling with GLP-1 medications?
Contact the airline before flying to receive information about carrying medications.
According to current data, it is not known that X-rays, such as those used at airport security checks, have any influence on the medications. If you wish, you can ask at the security check for Wegovy, Saxenda, or Mounjaro to be examined by hand instead.
Storing medications on vacation: Why is the storage of GLP-1 medications especially important?
Many medications containing sensitive active ingredients require special storage to preserve their effectiveness. GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy, Saxenda, and Mounjaro belong to this group because their active ingredients—semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide—are biologically active peptides. Peptides are proteins that react very sensitively to temperature fluctuations and light. If these active ingredients are stored in environments that are too warm or frozen, their structure can be destroyed, which could lead to reduced effectiveness or even side effects.
Other medications that must be kept refrigerated include insulin and some antibiotics. Similar to GLP-1 medications, improper storage of insulin, for example, can lead to a reduction in glucose-controlling effects. Antibiotics such as amoxicillin must also be kept in the refrigerator to prevent the decomposition of the active ingredient. Compared to GLP-1 medications, however, some of these medicines have a higher tolerance for short-term temperature fluctuations, making them somewhat more robust for transport.
Correct storage when traveling: What to do if no refrigerator is available?
You know that medications should be kept in the refrigerator, but there are situations where a refrigerator is not available, e.g., on a camping trip or long journeys. In such cases, you can rely on special medication cooler bags that are based on passive cooling. Make sure these bags do not create extreme temperatures (below 2 °C), as this could result in the GLP-1 medications freezing. For trips longer than a few days, we recommend carrying additional cooling elements and checking the temperature regularly with a digital thermometer.
Conclusion on the storage and safekeeping of medicinal products with GLP-1 active ingredients
A GLP-1 medication that has lost its stability may be less effective, which could negatively impact your weight loss or other treatment-related goals. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to always strictly follow the manufacturer's storage instructions; medications can have their efficacy impaired due to improper storage, and this is especially true for weight-loss injections. Safe storage is intended to ensure safety, quality, and efficacy until the expiration date. All medications should always be stored in a cool, dry place, protected from light, and kept out of the reach of children. In summary, you should store GLP-1 medications between 2 °C and 8 °C whenever possible and do not freeze them. This means that medications should not be exposed to excessive heat or direct sunlight. Due to highly fluctuating humidity and frequently higher temperatures, the bathroom is an unsuitable place for storage. Furthermore, medications should generally not be left in a car. We always recommend storing medicinal products in their original packaging.
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