Ozempic (semaglutide) is an injectable medication specifically designed for type 2 diabetes that helps lower blood sugar levels and potentially offers weight-loss properties as well. It's widely prescribed in Canada.
Today, let’s address an important yet often overlooked concern about Ozempic: its storage and refrigeration requirements.
Semaglutide, the active drug inside your Ozempic pens, is very sensitive to temperatures and requires meticulous care and temperature control to ensure it stays as effective as it should.
We’ll walk you through the essential steps and tips for storing your Ozempic safely and securely. From refrigeration at home to travel tips, we've got you covered with a comprehensive list of questions and answers about how to store Ozempic.
Related article: How to Travel With Ozempic: Travel Cases & Flying Tips!
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Does Ozempic Need to Be Refrigerated?
Yes, Ozempic does indeed need to be refrigerated to maintain its potency and effectiveness. However, the good news is that there's a bit of flexibility in its storage requirements. Your Ozempic pens can actually remain safely out of the fridge for up to 56 days, providing a reasonable window of time for use. But let's delve into the specifics to understand exactly what this entails.
Related article: Is Ozempic the same as Insulin? What’s the difference?
Ozempic storage instructions
According to Novo Nordisk, Ozempic manufacturer, here’s how you should store your Ozempic pens:
- Unopened Ozempic pens: Store your unopened Ozempic pens in the refrigerator at temperatures between 2°C - 8°C.
- After opening: Once you've used your Ozempic pen for the first time, you have two options. You can either keep it at room temperature, ensuring it stays below 30°C, or return it to the fridge. Regardless of your choice, it must be used within 56 days maximum!
What happens if Ozempic is not refrigerated?
When Ozempic is not refrigerated, the stability of its active ingredient (semaglutide) may be compromised. Refrigeration helps extend the shelf life of biological drugs like Ozempic by slowing down chemical reactions that can lead to degradation.
At a biological level, when semaglutide isn't refrigerated, several things can happen:
- Protein instability. Semaglutide is a peptide-based medication, and peptides are prone to degradation when exposed to higher temperatures. Refrigeration helps maintain the stability of the protein structure, preventing it from unfolding or breaking down.
- Chemical degradation. Higher temperatures can accelerate chemical reactions within the medication, leading to degradation of semaglutide. This degradation can reduce the potency of Ozempic, impacting its ability to effectively lower blood sugar levels.
- Microbial growth. Warmer temperatures provide an ideal environment for microbial growth, which can contaminate Ozempic and render it unsafe for use. Refrigeration helps inhibit the growth of microorganisms, helping to maintain the sterility your injections.
- Loss of efficacy. Ultimately, if semaglutide is not refrigerated properly, iyour Ozempic pens may lose partial or total efficacy, which could lead to less effective blood sugar control and increase the risk of complications associated with diabetes.
In summary, Ozempic refrigeration is essential to preserve its stability, potency, and safety and has a direct impact on your diabetes treatment and, ultimately, your health!
How long can Ozempic be out of the fridge?
Ozempic can be left out of the fridge for up to 56 days. However, beyond this timeframe, it should be discarded. Laboratory tests indicate that Ozempic loses effectiveness after 56 days, diminishing its ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
But that’s not it! Even when unrefrigerated, Ozempic should always be protected from the heat. Exposure to temperatures above 30°C can compromise its potency, rendering it ineffective.
Therefore, those living in or traveling to places where temperature may get higher than 30°C should use a medical-grade cooler to transport their Ozempic pens.
Related article: How to Use an Ozempic Pen?
FAQs About Ozempic Storage & Refrigeration
Alright, we've covered the basics about Ozempic refrigeration, but let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here are some common questions you might have about storing and refrigerating Ozempic, along with practical answers and our best tips to help you maintain the full potency of your semaglutide injections.
Related article: Does Insulin Need to be Refrigerated? How to Store it Properly?
How long is Ozempic good for?
Ozempic pens stored properly in the fridge are good until their expiration dates, generally indicated on the pen itself and the carton box.
Once opened or unrefrigerated, Ozempic pens are good for 56 days only. Beyond this period, they should be discarded, even if there’s still medicine inside!
If exposed to temperatures above 30°C, Ozempic pens should not be used, regarless of their expiration date and the 56 days window.
How long does Ozempic last in the fridge?
When properly stored in the fridge at temperatures between 2°C - 8°C, unopened Ozempic pens last until their expiration dates.
After opening, Ozempic pens last for up to 56 days, regardless of whether they've been kept in the fridge or stored at room temperature.
Any exposure to temperatures exceeding 30°C compromises the effectiveness of Ozempic, even if they’re re-refrigerated afterwards.
How long is Ozempic good for after opening?
After opening, Ozempic is good for up to 56 days when stored at room temperature (below 30°C) or in the fridge.
After this period, semaglutide, its active ingredient, starts to lose its effectiveness and isn’t safe for use anymore.
Related article: Does Wegovy Need to be Refrigerated? How to Store Your Pens?
What happens if you use Ozempic after 56 days?
Using Ozempic beyond the recommended 56-day period is not safe. It can lead to reduced effectiveness in controlling blood sugar levels. Extended use of Ozempic beyond this timeframe may result in inadequate management of diabetes and potentially serious health complications.
Always keep track of this expiration period and never use an Ozempic pen that’s been out of the fridge or open for more than 56 days. Dispose of it after 56 days, even if there’s still medicine inside, and get a new one from the refrigerator.
Related article: Wegovy Vs. Ozempic: Comparing 2 Semaglutide Injections.
What To Do If You Forgot To Refrigerate Ozempic?
If you forgot to refrigerate Ozempic, the first thing to do is not to panic. Slip-ups can happen and do happen to everyone relying on refrigerated drugs. And remember, Ozempic can be kept out of the fridge for up to 56 days.
Returning Ozempic to the fridge as soon as possible will help maintain its stability and effectiveness. For instance, if you accidentally left your Ozempic pen on the kitchen counter for a few hours, don't fret. Just put it back in the fridge, and it should still be good to use within the 56-day limit.
Can Ozempic be stored at room temperature?
Yes, Ozempic can be stored at room temperature for up to 56 days. Storing Ozempic at room temperature offers flexibility, especially for those on the go or traveling.
In this context, room temperature refers to a range between 15°C to 30°C.
For instance, imagine you're traveling to a destination where refrigeration isn't readily available. You can store your Ozempic pen in your luggage or carry-on bag, knowing that as long as the temperature stays below 30°C, your injector pens will be safe to use throughout your trip.
How long is Ozempic stable at room temperature?
Ozempic is stable at room temperature for 56 days after the first use or being out of the refrigerator.
This means that if you've taken your first dose from a new pen, you have approximately two months to finish it before it needs to be discarded. It's essential to keep track of when you started using the pen to ensure you don't exceed the recommended timeframe.
For instance, if you started using a new Ozempic pen on April 1st, you should dispose of it by May 26th, even if there's still medication left inside!
What if Ozempic was left out overnight?
If Ozempic was accidentally left out overnight, its safety for use depends on the temperature.
If the room temperature remained below 30°C, your Ozempic is still good for use. But as the cold chain has been broken, the pen must be used within 56 days, regarless of whether you place it back in the fridge or decide to keep at room temperature.
However, if there's any doubt or if the temperature was exceptionally high, it's safer to discard this Ozempic pen and start with a new pen from the refrigerator.
Can you put Ozempic back in the fridge?
Yes, you can put Ozempic back in the fridge after it has been at room temperature (always below 30°C!).
For example, let's say you took your Ozempic pen out of the fridge in the morning to inject your dose and left it on the kitchen counter throughout the day. You can return your Ozempic pen to the fridge in the evening. However, it must be used within 56 days, as placing it back in the fridge won't extend this 56-day period!
Can You Inject Ozempic Cold?
Yes, you can inject cold Ozempic from the fridge. However, injecting cold medication might cause discomfort or increased pain during the injection.
To make the injection more comfortable, you can let the Ozempic pen sit at room temperature for a few minutes before administering the dose. This can help reduce any discomfort associated with injecting cold medication.
Related article: 10 Tips That Work to Inject Insulin Without Pain!
What Happens if Ozempic Freezes?
Just like Insulin, and practically any other diabetes injections, Ozempic can’t be frozen. Ozempic is an aqueous solution, meaning that semaglutide, its active ingredient, is dissolved in water.
Just like water, Ozempic freezes at 0°C and becomes solid. Once frozen, the solution structure breaks down irreversibly, rendering it ineffective. Even if it thaws afterward, frozen Ozempic remains unsafe for use. In such cases, you must discard the affected pen immediately and replace it with a new one.
Does Ozempic expire?
Yes, like all medications, Ozempic expires. Each Ozempic pen comes with an expiration date printed on the pen itself and on the packaging. Generally, the expiration date occurs about a year from the purchase date. Awlays check this date before using Ozempic to ensure your pen hasn’t expired.
But that’s not all! Really, Ozempic has two expiration dates. The “official” one labelled on the pen, and the one that naturally occurs 56 days after a pen has been out of the fridge. Therefore, you must keep track of these 2 expiration dates to ensure you’re not using expired Ozempic.
Never use expired Ozempic. If your Ozempic has passed its expiration date, or has been out of the fridge for 56 days, dispose of it and get a new pen from the refrigerator or the pharmacy.
Related article: Does insulin expire? How long is it good for?
What is Ozempic shelf life?
The shelf life of Ozempic refers to the duration during which it maintains its potency and effectiveness when stored under appropriate conditions.
As mentioned above, unopened Ozempic pens stored in the refrigerator are good until their expiration dates labelled on the pen or packaging. Once opened, Ozempic shelf life is limited to 56 days as long as they are kept at room temperature (below 30°C).
What happens if Ozempic gets hot?
If Ozempic gets hot, its effectiveness may be compromised and the semaglutide inside may not work as it should.
Exposing Ozempic to high temperatures, especially above 30°C and even briefly, can cause the medication to quickly degrade, reducing effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels. For instance, storing Ozempic near heat sources like radiators or ovens can subject it to temperatures beyond the recommended range, jeopardizing its therapeutic benefits.
What to do if you left Ozempic in a hot car?
If you accidentally left Ozempic in a hot car or exposed it to high temperatures, it’s probably causing your medication to go bad.
Check for any visible changes in the medication, such as discoloration or cloudiness, which may indicate degradation.
If there are any doubts about its integrity, it's safer to dispose of the pen and obtain a new one from the refrigerator. Avoid storing your medications in vehicles, especially during hot weather, to prevent exposure to extreme temperatures and ensure their safety for use.
Related article: Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic: What’s the Difference?
Does Ozempic go Bad?
Yes, Ozempic can go bad if not stored properly, exposed to heat, left unrefrigerated for more than 56 days, or if it's used beyond its expiration date.
How to tell if Ozempic has gone bad?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a clear and colorless liquid. If you notice any solid elements inside your pen, like strings or particles, if it has changed color or looks different than usual, these may be sign your Ozempic has gone bad.
Unusually high blood glucose levels can also warn you that your injection isn’t working as it should, so it might have expired.
In case of doubt, stop using the pen, get a new one from the fridge, and ask for your doctor or pharmacist’s advice.
What happens if you inject bad or expired Ozempic?
Injecting expired Ozempic won't poison you, but it simply won't work as intended. This could lead to diabetes-related complications because of high blood sugar levels, such as hyperglycemia.
If you have inadvertently injected expired Ozempic or are unsure about its potency, consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
How to Store Ozempic While Traveling
When traveling with Ozempic, temperature control and cold storage are keys! Here are some tips for keeping your Ozempic cool and safe during your travels:
Room-temperature storage for short trips
If your travel duration is within the 56-day window, you can keep your Ozempic pens at room temperature, protected from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
Invest in a portable cooler or insulated bag to carry your Ozempic pens, like the ones from 4AllFamily.
Refrigerated transportation beyond 56 days
If your travel extends beyond the 56-day limit, you must transport your Ozempic pens refrigerated. In that case, we recommend using one of our medical-grade travel refrigerators!
Regardless of the duration of your trip, planning ahead and taking the necessary precautions will help keep your Ozempic pens cool while traveling!
Related article: How to Keep Ozempic Cool While Traveling!
4AllFamily's Travel Coolers have been specially designed for temperature-sensitive medicines like Ozempic.
We’d Love to Hear From You!
Are you on Ozempic? Have you had any issue with storage and refrigeration of your pens? Don’t hesitate to share your stories and questions below!
