How long pens last out of the fridge
| Drug | Unrefrigerated storage per the label |
|---|---|
| Zepbound pen, Mounjaro pen | Up to 21 days at up to 86°F |
| Wegovy pen | Up to 28 days between 46°F and 86°F |
| Ozempic pen, after first use | Up to 56 days at room temperature up to 86°F, or in the fridge |
All of them: don't freeze, and don't use a pen that has been frozen. Keep pens away from direct heat and light. Check the label for your exact product, as of our last review.
Packing for a flight
- Always carry pens in your carry-on; cargo holds can get cold enough to freeze them
- Keep them in the original box with the pharmacy label
- Bring a copy of your prescription or a note from your prescriber, especially abroad
- Pack a small insulated pouch for hot climates; don't put pens directly on ice
- Pack a sharps container or a sturdy bottle for used needles
TSA screening
TSA allows medications, including injectable pens and needles used with them, in carry-on bags. Tell the officer you're carrying medication at the start of screening. Medically necessary liquids are allowed beyond the usual 3.4-ounce limit, subject to extra screening. See TSA's What can I bring page for current rules.
Other countries have their own rules on bringing in medicines. Check the destination's embassy or health ministry before you go.
Dose day and time zones
The labels allow you to change your weekly dose day if enough time has passed since your last dose:
- Zepbound and Mounjaro: at least 3 days (72 hours) between doses
- Wegovy and Ozempic: at least 2 days (48 hours) since the last dose
For a short trip, many people simply take the dose on their usual day, local time. The dose schedule tool exports reminders to your calendar. If you miss one, read the Zepbound or Wegovy missed-dose page.
A travel packing checklist
- Enough pens or tablets for the trip plus at least one extra week
- Pens in the original labeled box, in your carry-on
- Insulated pouch if you're going somewhere hot
- Pen needles if your pen needs them, plus alcohol swabs
- Sharps container or a sturdy plastic bottle with a lid
- Copy of your prescription and your prescriber's contact details
- Calendar reminder for your dose day in the local time zone
- Anti-nausea or constipation remedies your doctor has okayed
- Protein snacks and a refillable water bottle
Pharmacies abroad may not stock your drug or may sell it under a different name, so plan as if you can't get a refill until you're home.
Stomach on the road
New foods, alcohol, long flights and less water can all make side effects worse. Stay hydrated, keep protein snacks in your bag and go easy on rich restaurant meals. See dehydration and foods to avoid.
When to call your doctor
- A pen was frozen, overheated or damaged and you have no spare
- You'll miss doses for longer than the label's missed-dose window
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea while traveling
Run the numbers
Read next
Common questions
Can I bring Zepbound or Wegovy pens on a plane?
Yes. TSA allows medications and injectable pens in carry-on bags. Tell the officer at screening and keep pens in their labeled box.
Do GLP-1 pens need to stay cold while traveling?
Not always. Per the labels, Zepbound pens can stay unrefrigerated up to 21 days and Wegovy pens up to 28 days, within the stated temperature limits.
Can I change my injection day when I travel?
Yes, if enough time has passed since your last dose: at least 3 days for Zepbound or Mounjaro and at least 2 days for Wegovy or Ozempic, per their labels.
Sources
Clinician review pending. Drafted from primary sources and waiting for sign-off by a licensed clinician (MD, DO or PharmD) before launch. Every number is checked against its source. Drug facts are re-checked quarterly, prices monthly and whenever a label changes. How we review · Report an error