According to the UK Government itself, in 2023, 64.0% of adults in England were estimated to be overweight or living with obesity.
For many, diet and exercise alone aren't enough to combat chronic weight issues. That's where prescription weight-loss medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) can help. Approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2021 for weight loss and in 2024 for cardiovascular issues, Wegovy supports weight loss by regulating appetite and reducing calorie intake.
But the success of your treatment with Wegovy also depends on how well you store your injection pens. The active ingredient, semaglutide, is a biological drug that’s highly sensitive to heat and light, requiring careful storage to maintain its effectiveness.
Don’t worry—we're here to guide you through the best ways to store your Wegovy pens, ensuring you get the most out of your semaglutide injections for optimal weight-loss and cardiovascular health results! We’ll answer all your questions about Wegovy refrigeration and storage temperatures, including:
- Does Wegovy really need to be refrigerated?
- What happens when it’s not refrigerated?
- How long can Wegovy be out of the fridge?
- How to store your pens safe at room temperature?
- When does Wegovy expire, and can you still use it?
- What to do if your Wegovy pen gets warm?
- How to keep your Wegovy pens cold when travelling?
- And much more!
Related article: Travelling with Wegovy: Travel Cases and Flying Tips!
Does Wegovy Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, Wegovy requires refrigeration. It’s a delicate medication that must be stored under specific conditions to maintain its potency. Ensuring proper storage for your Wegovy pens is vital.
Failure to adhere to the recommended storage guidelines could undermine the effectiveness of your weight-loss or cardiovascular treatment and potentially pose health risks.
Related article: A Step-by-Step Guide to Injecting Wegovy the Right Way.
Keeping Wegovy Refrigerated Before Use
Semaglutide, the active compound in Wegovy and Ozempic, is a biologic medication. Biologics, also referred to as biopharmaceuticals, represent some of the most advanced medical therapies but are extremely sensitive to heat and light. Prolonged exposure to unfavourable conditions can cause these medications to deteriorate rapidly. Proper refrigeration preserves their efficacy and extends their shelf life.
More specifically, Wegovy pens must remain refrigerated before use. They can only stay unrefrigerated for up to 28 days. By comparison, Ozempic, which contains the same active ingredient, can last up to 56 days at room temperature due to differences in formulation.
Related article: Does Ozempic Need to Be Refrigerated? Storage and Refrigeration Tips!
Recommended Storage Temperatures
According to Novo Nordisk UK, the manufacturer, here are the recommended storage conditions for Wegovy pens:
- Before use: Keep Wegovy pens in the refrigerator, maintaining a temperature range of 2°C to 8°C, until they’re needed.
- At room temperature: If refrigeration isn’t possible, Wegovy can be stored at temperatures below 30°C for up to 28 days, provided it’s protected from light using its opaque cap.
Where to store Wegovy in the fridge?
When storing Wegovy in the fridge, it’s best to find a sweet spot where the temperature is most stable—usually on a shelf in the middle, away from the freezer compartment and the door. This helps avoid temperature fluctuations that can affect how well your medication works.
How Long Does Wegovy Last in the Fridge?
When stored under the correct conditions in a refrigerator, Wegovy pens remain effective until the expiration date printed on the packaging, typically up to 12 months from manufacturing.
However, once a pen has been removed from the fridge, it must be used within 28 days, even if it is returned to refrigeration.
Need more help? Watch our video tutorial on storing Wegovy pens!
How Long Can Wegovy Be Out of the Fridge?
Once removed from refrigeration, Wegovy pens have a limited shelf life at room temperature. They can remain outside the fridge for up to 28 days. Beyond this time frame, the medication becomes unstable and is no longer safe to use.
Shelf Life of Wegovy at Room Temperature
As stated earlier, Wegovy pens are only safe to use for 28 days at room temperature. However, this is conditional upon being stored in an environment under 30°C and away from direct light. Exposing the medication to temperatures above this, even for a brief period, can cause it to degrade and become unusable.
Can You Return Wegovy to the Fridge?
Yes, you can refrigerate Wegovy again, provided it hasn’t exceeded the 28-day room temperature limit.
For instance, if the temperature in your home becomes too high and you don’t have a cooling case, it’s better to return the pen to the fridge.
However, re-refrigeration won’t extend the shelf life. Once Wegovy has been stored at room temperature, it must be used within 28 days.
What if You Forgot to Refrigerate Wegovy
If Wegovy is left unrefrigerated for several days, it remains safe as long as it hasn’t exceeded the 28-day limit at room temperature. However, beyond this period, the medication should no longer be used.
Tests conducted by Novo Nordisk indicate that Wegovy begins to lose effectiveness after 28 days at room temperature. Dispose of pens that exceed this limit and replace them with fresh ones.
What If Your Wegovy Pen Gets Warm
Exposure to temperatures exceeding 30°C can cause the active ingredient in Wegovy to degrade rapidly, compromising its safety and efficacy.
Common scenarios include:
- Leaving it in a car: On a hot day, vehicle interiors can quickly exceed safe storage temperatures.
- Placing it near windows: Direct sunlight can raise the temperature of stored pens beyond safe levels.
- Storing near heat sources: Avoid keeping pens near ovens, radiators, or other heat-emitting appliances.
If your Wegovy pen has been exposed to high temperatures, discard it and use a new one.
How to Know If Your Wegovy Pen Has Gone Bad
Semaglutide in Wegovy pens should appear clear and colourless. Signs of a compromised pen include:
- Cloudy appearance
- Discolouration
- Visible particles
- Any unusual visual characteristics
Dispose of any pen showing these signs and use a replacement to ensure effective and safe treatment.
Does Wegovy Expire?
Yes, like any medication, Wegovy expires. It even has 2 expiration dates, including:
- The printed expiration date: Found on the packaging, indicating the period for safe use when refrigerated.
- The 28-day room temperature limit: Once removed from refrigeration, the pen must be used within this timeframe.
Adhering to these timelines ensures your medication remains safe and effective.
Is It Safe to Use Expired Wegovy?
No, expired Wegovy should never be used. The medication may lose potency or cause unexpected side effects. Always adhere to the expiration guidelines.
Related article: How to Travel with Refrigerated Medications Like Wegovy?
Wegovy Storage: FAQs
What If Your Left Your Wegovy Pen Out Overnight?
If stored away from heat sources and the ambient temperature remained cool, the pen should be fine. Remember, Wegovy is safe at room temperature for up to 28 days.
Can You Inject Wegovy Cold?
Wegovy can be injected cold straight from the fridge. Some users prefer letting it reach room temperature to reduce injection discomfort, but this is entirely optional. In any case, never warm up a Wegovy pen!
How to Travel with Wegovy Pens?
Travelling with temperature-sensitive medications like Wegovy requires care:
- Short trips: Use an insulated bag to keep pens safe from heat.
- Long journeys: Consider a portable medical-grade mini travel fridge to maintain fridge temperature.
Related article: Travelling with Wegovy: Travel Cases and Flying Tips!
What Happens If Wegovy Freezes?
Wegovy must not freeze. Freezing causes the medication to crystallise, damaging its active ingredient and rendering it ineffective. Always store pens in a stable section of the fridge, away from the freezer compartment.
Never leave them in the car overnight. When living in or travelling to extremely cold destinations, always keep the pens in an inside pocket so that your body warmth protects them from the cold.
Related article: Can Insulin Freeze and What Happens If It Does?
We'd Love to Hear Your Thoughts!
Have questions or experiences with storing Wegovy? Share them below to help others in the community!
