Managing type 2 diabetes or keeping on top of weight management means making sure your semaglutide travels just as securely as you do, staying effective and compliant from start to finish.
Airport security and international rules can be a bit of a headache when travelling with medical injections, but with the right prep, you can breeze through without a wrinkle.
We've knocked together a cracking guide to trotting the globe with your semaglutide. You'll find a handy pre-departure checklist, nifty tips to keep your semaglutide cool on the go, and some smart packing tricks to sail through airport checks like a pro. All set? Let's get packing!
Related article: How to Store your Semaglutide Injections Correctly!
Before Travelling with Semaglutide
Before you snap your suitcase shut, let's ensure your semaglutide is all set for a smooth journey, just like you! Packing isn't only about stuffing socks and snagging chargers; travelling with injectable meds like semaglutide requires a bit of clever planning too.
Here are 7 essential tips to mull over before you set off, ensuring your medication management is tip-top from start to finish.
Consult your doctor
First and foremost, before setting off, it's a good idea to book appointment with your GP. They are your go-to person for personalised guidance and can answer any questions you may have about travelling with your semaglutide injections, including how to adjust your injection schedule to time zone changes.
This is also the perfect opportunity to refill your prescriptions, making sure you have enough semaglutide and medical supplies for the entire length of your trip, and obtain necessary paperwork for international travel, like a letter from your doctor or proof of your prescription.
Additionally, if you're travelling to exotic destinations, it's also a good opportunity to discuss any vaccinations you might need.
Related article: How to Travel with Ozempic: Travel Cases and Flying Tips!
Prepare travel documentation
While you do not need any specific documentation to travel within the UK with semaglutide or other medications, having a copy of your prescription can smooth airport security screenings.
If you're travelling abroad, ensure you have all necessary documentation to avoid issues at the border. Always bring a copy of your prescription, a doctor's letter, and proof of travel insurance. Depending on your final destination, consider translating these documents, though English would be fine in most countries.
Related article: Tips for Travelling with Medication Internationally: Preparation & Documentation.
Pack semaglutide safe
Make sure your semaglutide is packed safely and in compliance with airport regulations. Labels must be visible and readable. With Ozempic and Wegovy injection pens, this is usually covered, as the pens are labelled.
But for those travelling with compounded semaglutide, ensure your vials are properly labeled. If you prefill syringes, they should always be accompanied by the vial so the security agents can identify the medicine inside.
Related article: Tips for Travelling and Flying with Wegovy Pens!
Invest in a Medical Travel Case for Semaglutide
Don't forget that semaglutide is very sensitive to temperature and must be transported either refrigerated or within its specified safe room temperature range. More details on how to keep semaglutide cool when travelling will follow in the upcoming section.
But meanwhile and before departure, consider investing in a medical-grade travel case cooler if necessary. These are designed to keep semaglutide at the cool during your travels, protecting it from heat and making sure it stays effective throughout your journey.
The last thing you want is to reach your holiday destination only to find that your semaglutide has been compromised by temperature fluctuations during travel.
Get Travel Insurance
Another thing to consider before travelling with semaglutide is your travel insurance, especially when travelling overseas.
For example, ensure that your travel insurance covers the loss or deterioration of your medication. Not all policies include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes or specific medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, or compounded semaglutide.
So, contact your insurer, carefully review the terms, and confirm that your travel insurance policy protects you against any issues related to your medical condition or medication during travel.
Always Have a Back Up
Travel is an adventure, and even the best-laid plans can encounter unexpected twists! To maintain peace of mind and tackle any unforeseen circumstances, it's wise to prepare a backup plan before you depart.
Research where you can obtain additional medical supplies, including Ozempic pens, Wegovy pens, or vials of compounded semaglutide, needles, or syringes at your destination.
Having contact information for local clinics or pharmacies, as well as a list of emergency contacts including your doctor and pharmacist back home, can save you a lot of time and stress if your semaglutide is lost or compromised during your travel.
Plan your semaglutide diet in advance
Let's face it, part of the fun of travelling is diving into the local cuisine! However, when using semaglutide, whether with Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for weight-loss, or compounded semaglutide, it's important to stick to your diet plan even when travelling, which often means watching your calorie intake and carbs.
Start by doing a little homework before you leave. Look up food blogs, restaurant reviews, and local food guides to find places that offer meals aligning with your semaglutide diet plan. Many restaurants now offer healthy options or are willing to customise dishes to meet specific nutritional requirements.
How to Keep Semaglutide Cold When Travelling
Keeping semaglutide cool is often the biggest challenge when travelling. Given that semaglutide is highly sensitive to temperature and storage conditions, it's crucial to manage its storage and transport conditions, whether you're at home or on the go.
Here's a quick recap on how to store semaglutide effectively:
- Ozempic (semaglutide for type 2 diabetes by Novo Nordisk) must be refrigerated between 2°C - 8°C before use. Once opened or removed from the fridge, your Ozempic pens can stay at room temperature for up to 56 days but should never exposed to temperatures above 30°C.
- Wegovy (semaglutide for weight-loss by Novo Nordisk) must also be refrigerated between 2°C - 8°C before use. Once opened or removed from the fridge, your Wegovy pens can stay at room temperature for up to 28 days but should never exposed to temperatures above 30°C.
- Compounded semaglutide made by compounding pharmacies must also be refrigerated before use. Its storage instructions and shelf life at room temperature may vary depending on the specific formulation. Always check storage requirements before traveling with compounded semaglutide.
The logistics of keeping these storage temperatures while travelling can be a bit tricky, especially during longer trips or in warmer climates. That's why a travel case cooler is part of the essential kit for anyone travelling with semaglutide injections!
And there, you've got two options:
- a simple travel cooler to protect your injections from heat or
- a refrigerated travel case to travel with refrigerated semaglutide.
Related article: Essential Guide to Travelling with Refrigerated Medications.
Semaglutide Travel Case Coolers
For trips under 28 days (for Wegovy) or 56 days (for Ozempic), where your semaglutide injections need to be protected from heat and kept under 30°C, but not necessarily refrigerated, it's essential to carry your injections in a cooling case, especially during summer.
Products like the Chiller Small Cooling Pouches use evaporative cooling technology to efficiently protect your semaglutide from heat for over 45 hours with just water.
The Rambler Mini Cold Box for Medicine is compact and designed to keep one injection pen cool below 26°C while travelling for up to 12 hours.
If you're travelling with larger quantities of semaglutide, consider the Companion Insulated Medical Cooler Bag, which will keep your semaglutide cool below 26°C for 14 hours and allows you to transport up to 5 Ozempic or Wegovy pens.
Refrigerated Travel Cases & Mini Fridges
When you need to travel with refrigerated semaglutide, a more powerful, refrigerated travel case is absolutely necessary to make sure your injections are consistently kept between 2-8°C, regardless of external heat.
In that case, the Voyager Mini Travel Fridge is a great and reliable companion. It can maintain fridge temperature indefinitely with a power source, or use an alternative cooling pack function to keep your semaglutide pens or vials refrigerated for up to 33 hours without power. It can fit up to 5 Ozempic or Wegovy pens, and numerous vials of compounded semaglutide.
The Explorer 3-in-1 Medical Travel Case Cooler is also great for carrying the same quantities of refrigerated semaglutide, offering 3 different cooling methods in one single product! Whether you're off grid or connected to power, your injections stay refrigerated for several days of travel!
For a more compact and non-powered option, the Nomad Portable Cooling Cases use Biogel cooling packs to keep up 5 (big model) or 2 (medium model) Wegovy or Ozempic pens constantly refrigerated between 2-8°C for up to 30 hours to travel!
We're here to help! Should you have any doubt about which of our travel cases would be best for your semaglutide, don't hesitate to drop us a comment below or contact our customer service.
Can You Bring Semaglutide on a Plane?
Yes, you can bring semaglutide on a plane, whether Ozempic, Wegovy, or compounded semaglutide.
In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provides clear guidelines for traveling with medications like semaglutide. You're allowed to bring your medication onboard, and the usual restrictions on liquids don't apply to injectable medications.
This means you can bring enough semaglutide to cover your trip, and it might even be wise to pack a little extra in case of travel delays. If you're travelling with more than 100 ml of semaglutide, you will be requested to show proof of medical prescription.
You can also bring the necessary needles or syringes for your semaglutide injections, both new and used. But used needles should be kept in sharps bins or equivalent safe disposal options to ensure they are transported securely.
Tips for flying with semaglutide
Always carry semaglutide in your carry-on luggage to avoid potential issues with checked baggage, such as exposure to extreme temperatures in the cargo hold, baggage loss or delay at arrival.
Always keep your medication in its original container to ensure that the labels are clear and easily readable. This will help airport screening staff or customs agents quickly identify your medication, making the security process smoother.
If you're using a travel case cooler to keep semaglutide cool while travelling, check that it's approved for air travel. At 4AllFamily, all our cooling cases are approved for air travel in the UK, EU, and beyond.
If possible, split your semaglutide and medical supplies between two separate bags. This strategy ensures you have a backup if one becomes inaccessible during your flight or is lost or stolen at the airport.
Additionally, it's important to prime your semaglutide pen or syringe before your next semaglutide injection after a flight. It will help remove any air bubbles that may have formed because of changes in air pressure, ensuring that you administer the correct dose of semaglutide.
We'd Love to Hear Your Thoughts!
Travelling with semaglutide can be a smooth experience with the right preparations and accessories. If you have questions or would like to share your own tips and experiences, feel free to leave a comment below. Safe travels!
