Quick Answer: Both Ozempic (semaglutide for diabetes) and Wegovy (semaglutide for weight-loss) must be kept refrigerated before use. Once opened, your semaglutide injections can stay at room temperature below 30°C for up to 28 days (Wegovy) or 56 days (Ozempic).
If you're using semaglutide, marketed in the UK as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, understanding the correct storage of your injections is more important than you might think!
Semaglutide is a sensitive medication with a complex biological composition, necessitating precise storage temperatures and guidelines to preserve its effectiveness.
Typically, semaglutide should be kept refrigerated before use and has a limited shelf life at room temperature. However, the details are more complex, with various factors to consider depending on whether you're using Ozempic or Wegovy, as well as other variables.
This guide explores the best tips and practices for storing semaglutide, explains why storage temperature is vital for the efficacy and safety of your treatment, and provides useful responses to frequent queries about semaglutide refrigeration and storage temperatures, including:
- Why and when must semaglutide be refrigerated?
- How long will does it last in the fridge?
- How long can it stay at room temperature?
- What should you do if your semaglutide warms up?
- What if it wasn't chilled upon delivery?
- Is it okay to use semaglutide past its expiration date?
- How do you keep it cool while travelling?
- Can you freeze semaglutide?
- And much more!
Related article: Does Ozempic Need to Be Refrigerated? Storage and Refrigeration Tips!
Does Semaglutide Need to Be Refrigerated?
Absolutely. Whether it's Ozempic, Wegovy, or compounded semaglutide vials, all forms and brands of semaglutide must be refrigerated prior to use.
Ideally, your semaglutide injections must be stored in the fridge immediately upon return from the pharmacy, with a consistent fridge temperature between 2°C and 8°C and minimal temperature variation.
As with many biological medications, keeping semaglutide chilled is essential to slow the biological or chemical processes that could degrade the medication.
Refrigeration prior to opening helps maintain the medication's integrity, preventing the active ingredients from breaking down too early. This is vital to ensure every dose of semaglutide remains as effective as the previous, guaranteeing the efficacy of your weight-loss and diabetes treatment.
Related article: How to Store Wegovy: Refrigeration and Out-of-Fridge Lifespan.
How Long Does Semaglutide Last In The Fridge?
When properly stored in a refrigerator at the advised temperature and assuming the cold chain remains intact, semaglutide remains effective until the expiration date provided by the manufacturer, which typically ranges from several months to a year after purchase.
However, this can vary based on specific brands (Wegovy and Ozempic), specific batches, and the preservatives used in the compounded semaglutide formulations.
Related article: How to Travel with Ozempic: Travel Cases and Flying Tips!
What to do if you forgot to refrigerate semaglutide?
If you forget to refrigerate semaglutide but catch the mistake within a few minutes and the medication has not been exposed to heat, it can be returned to the fridge without issue.
However, if it has been out for a few hours or overnight, it's reached room temperature. In this case, it's still okay to use, but you must use it within the timeframe it can stay unrefrigerated. For Wegovy, that's up to 28 days, and for Ozempic, it's up to 56 days. And remember, if there's any doubt, it's safer to consult a pharmacist.
Can You Inject Semaglutide Cold From The Fridge?
Yes, you can inject semaglutide cold straight from the fridge. However, letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before the injection may feel more comfortable.
While it's safe and effective too, injecting cold medication may cause more pain at the injection site. But never warm up the vial or pen. Let it reach room temperature naturally.
Can You Freeze Semaglutide?
No, semaglutide should never be frozen. Freezing temperatures can damage the medication's molecular structure and make it irreversibly ineffective, even if it thaws afterwards.
Here are a few tips to prevent semaglutide from accidentally freezing:
- Store your vials and pens in the middle of the fridge, away from the freezer section. The middle shelf is typically the safest spot to avoid freezing.
- Be cautious with DIY cooling bags: When using DIY cooling bags made with ice to transport your semaglutide injections, be careful. Direct contact with ice can freeze your medication. It's best to use medical-grade coolers with anti-freeze safety features, like the ones from 4Allfamily.
- Protect your medication in extreme cold weather: If you live in or are travelling to places with extreme cold, keep your semaglutide in an inside pocket so your body warmth prevents it from freezing.
How Long Can Semaglutide Stay Out of the Fridge?
Once you begin using a semaglutide vial or pen, how long it can stay out of the fridge depends on the specific product:
- Ozempic (semaglutide injections prescribed for type 2 diabetes) can stay out of the fridge for up to 56 days.
- Wegovy (semaglutide injections prescribed for weight loss) can stay unrefrigerated for up to 28 days.
- Compounded semaglutide vials can generally stay unrefrigerated for shorter time, but it depends on the specific formulation and the preservatives used.
The differences between Wegovy and Ozempic shelf life at room temperature stem from the distinct concentrations and preservatives used in each brand of semaglutide injection.
Leaving semaglutide out of the fridge for more than recommended can hasten its degradation, rendering it less effective, ineffective, or even hazardous. If your semaglutide pens or vials exceed the recommended duration outside of refrigeration, they should be disposed of, even if there is still medicine remaining.
Related article: Travelling with Wegovy: Travel Cases and Flying Tips!
How To Store Semaglutide At Room Temperature?
While semaglutide can be stored at room temperature within the allowed timeframe, proper precautions must be taken. It's crucial to shield your injections from temperatures above 30°C and direct sunlight.
- Avoid light exposure. Ideally, store your semaglutide vials and pens in their original packaging. Many medications are housed in opaque or amber containers for this reason. If further protection is needed, consider storing them in a dark cupboard or a medicine cabinet well away from light. Never leave semaglutide on a windowsill or any spot where direct sunlight can reach; UV rays can accelerate the degradation of the medication.
- Control temperatures. When storing semaglutide our of the fridge, frequently monitor the room temperature where it is stored. Indoor environments can vary, particularly near kitchens, windows, or heating elements. Always keep semaglutide away from direct heat sources like radiators, cookers, ovens, and electronic devices that emit heat.
- Keep it cool during transport. If you need to transport your semaglutide injections, using a medical-grade cooling case is advisable, particularly during warmer days when temperatures might exceed 30°C.
Always consult and follow the specific storage instructions from your pharmacist or those provided with the medication's packaging. Be aware that different formulations of semaglutide may have slightly varying storage requirements.
Can You Put Semaglutide Back in the Fridge After Opening?
Well, it depends, and things are not that clear across all semaglutide formulations.
For instance, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of both Ozempic and Wegovy, indicates that Ozempic can be returned to the fridge after being at room temperature. However, there's no clear guidance regarding Wegovy.
With compounded semaglutide, you should always verify the specific guidelines to ensure it's safe to refrigerate again after opening.
Importantly, placing semaglutide back in the refrigerator does not extend its shelf life. Once opened or left unrefrigerated, it must be used within its designated timeframe, irrespective of whether it's returned to the fridge.
Related article: A Step-by-Step Guide to Injecting Wegovy the Right Way.
What If Your Semaglutide Gets Warm?
Should semaglutide get too warm, it may quickly degrade, not only losing effectiveness but potentially posing health risks. It's vital to maintain its coolness, even when stored outside the fridge.
Exposure to temperatures above 30°C, even briefly, is detrimental to your injections. It's surprisingly easy for medications like semaglutide to overheat, more often than you might think!
For example, a typical error is leaving semaglutide in a car during warm weather. Vehicles can rapidly reach temperatures exceeding 40°C, well above what semaglutide can withstand. Also, storing semaglutide vials or pens near a window with direct sunlight exposure can lead to quick temperature increases that jeopardise its stability.
Moreover, placing semaglutide near heat sources such as cookers, radiators, or in poorly ventilated areas (like bathrooms where steam accumulates) are common situations where your medication may become too warm for safe usage.
Does Semaglutide Expire?
Indeed, semaglutide does expire, like any medication. There's always an expiration date clearly indicated on each pen or vial of Ozempic, Wegovy, or compounded semaglutide.
It's important to note that semaglutide also has a secondary expiration date which kicks in 28 or 56 days after you've removed Wegovy or Ozempic from the fridge.
Additionally, semaglutide is immediately rendered unusable if it is subjected to temperatures exceeding 30°C!
What Happens If You Use Expired Semaglutide?
Injecting expired semaglutide is highly inadvisable; it can jeopardise your health and drastically diminish the efficacy of the medication, thereby affecting the outcome of your diabetes or weight-loss treatment.
To prevent any confusion, always verify the expiration date marked on the label prior to administering each injection. Upon initial removal from the fridge, make a note of this date on the pen or vial, or maintain a record on your calendar to monitor how many days it has been out of the fridge. Ensure to promptly dispose of any expired pens or vials of semaglutide!
Does Semaglutide Go Bad?
Yes, semaglutide can go bad:
- When past its expiration date.
- If left unrefrigerated for too long
- If exposed to heat or light.
While signs of spoilage aren't always apparent, there are visible signs to watch for:
- Change in appearance: The solution within the pen or vial should be clear and colourless. Any discoloration, cloudiness, or visible particles suggest the semaglutide may be compromised.
- Reduced effectiveness: Particularly relevant if using Ozempic for glucose management. A noticeable decline in control over your blood sugar levels might indicate your semaglutide has gone bad and is no longer effective.
Should you have any concerns about the integrity of your semaglutide, it's best to always err on the side of caution. Cease using the affected pen or vial, secure a replacement from your fridge, and consult your pharmacist or doctor for guidance.
We'd Love to Hear Your Thoughts!
Please don't hesitate to leave a comment below or share your experiences. Whether you have a savvy tip for maintaining the correct storage temperature for semaglutide or a query regarding its storage protocols, we're eager to hear from you!
