Ozempic (semaglutide) is a popular injectable medication widely prescribed in Canada for type 2 diabetes to help improve blood sugar control and potentially aid with weight loss as a secondary benefit.
With millions of users worldwide, it's common for those using Ozempic injection pens to travel, whether for business or pleasure. But traveling with Ozempic can be quite challenging, mainly because of its storage requirements and need for refrigeration.
Indeed, Ozempic pens must be refrigerated before first use and kept cool at room temperature once opened, making travel logistics a bit tricky. Additionally, many are concerned about taking Ozempic on a plane: is it allowed by the Canadian airport authorities and how to carry it?
This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to travel with Ozempic and transport your medication safely while enjoying your travels worry-free!
Related article: Does Ozempic Need to Be Refrigerated? Storage and Refrigeration Tips!
Before Traveling with Ozempic
Before you set off on your journey and travel with Ozempic, it’s always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider and discuss your travel plans to make sure your health remains a priority.
First, your doctor can provide essential and individualised tips to manage your blood sugar levels while traveling. But they can also inform you about vaccinations if any, as well as provide you with the necessary documentation for international travels.
Related article: The Ultimate Checklist for Traveling with Diabetes!
Documents You May Need
When traveling with injectable drugs like Ozempic, especially internationally, having the right documents can save you from a lot of trouble!
It’s a good idea to carry a copy of your prescription, a diabetes travel letter confirming your need for Ozempic and medical supplies, and if possible, the original packaging of your medication with the prescription label intact and readable. While these documents aren’t necessary for domestic travel, they can help smooth over any issues at airport security and customs checkpoints.
Related article: Tips for Traveling with Medication Internationally: Preparation & Documents.
Ozempic Travel Cases
The primary challenge when traveling with Ozempic is transporting it at the correct temperature to ensure your medication stays safe and effective during your journey.
Understanding Ozempic temperature excursions is very important, especially given the different storage requirements for opened and unopened injector pens. So, here’s a reminder:
- Unopened Ozempic pens must be kept refrigerated between 2-8°C until first use.
- Once opened, your pens can be stored either back in the refrigerator or kept at room temperature but never exceeding 30°C and should be used within 56 days.
Adhering to these storage guidelines during your travels is essential to prevent Ozempic from going bad and losing its effectiveness, which would literally ruin your travel plans. That’s why carrying your Ozempic pens in suitable and reliable travel cases is an absolute must!
Room-Temperature Coolers for Ozempic
For Ozempic pens that have already been opened and are stored at room temperature, consider a travel case that does necessarily not rely on refrigeration.
These cooling cases maintain a stable temperature environment, even when external temperatures fluctuate or get above the safe threshold of 30°C for Ozempic. They're perfect for day trips, long flights, or even for a week-long holiday where you don’t need to carry refrigerated pens, for example.
While you could technically DIY an Ozempic cooling case with an insulated lunch bag and ice, this is not reliable enough and we don’t recommend it. Direct contact with ice could freeze and ruin your semaglutide injections as Ozempic should never be frozen. Besides, ice packs always end up dripping, creating a real mess! Additionally, the temperature inside your DIY cooler may fluctuate a lot and insulated lunch bags may not always be allowed through airport security.
That’s why products like those from 4allfamily are ideal—they utilize biogel freeze packs designed to freeze at 2°C slightly above Ozempic's freezing point, ensuring that your medication does not freeze. Our travel cases are ideal for Ozempic pens as they maintain temperatures below 30°C for hours, and even days, without the need for ice or electricity.
And finally, all our medical-grade coolers are approved for airplane travel from Health Canada, which means you can transport your Ozempic pens in your carry-on luggage. Super reliable, very convenient, lightweight, and easy to use!
Ozempic Refrigerated Travel Cases
For those carrying unopened Ozempic pens that must be transported refrigerated, using medical-grade refrigerated travel cases is absolutely necessary.
These cases are equipped with advanced cooling systems that maintain refrigerator-like conditions, ensuring that Ozempic stays refrigerated for hours or even days of travels where consistent refrigeration may be hard to come by.
Our range of refrigerated travel cases and portable mini refrigerators for medications includes numerous models.
Some cases use biogel freeze packs, which keep medications like Ozempic perfectly chilled without the need for electricity. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios where power sources are unavailable, like when you’re camping, hiking in the wild, or simply on the plane, for example.
Others of our coolers work with power and can be connected to USB sources, such as a car cigarette lighter, a USB solar panel, or a portable power bank, ensuring continuous refrigeration during longer journeys.
All our refrigerated travel cases for Ozempic are CATSA-approved, making them ideal for air travel.
Tips to Keep Ozempic Cool While Traveling
Besides using a cooler, there are other tips that can help you keep your Ozempic cool while traveling:
- Avoid direct sunlight and heat. Always store Ozempic away from direct sunlight and heat sources. For example, don't leave your medication in a car on a sunny day, as temperatures can escalate quickly. Never place your Ozempic pens near a heat source, like a stove, a barbecue, chimney, etc. In hotel rooms, avoid storing your medication near windows or in direct sunlight. Instead, choose a cool, dark drawer or a cabinet away from electronics or lamps that could generate heat.
- Use hotel fridges carefully. When staying in a hotel, putting your Ozempic pens in the mini fridge can be a good option to keep them cool. But make sure the fridge settings are not too cold, as freezing Ozempic can render it ineffective. Also, watch out for power outages that can happen frequently in some countries.
- Understand temperature excursions. Always have in mind Ozempic temperature excursion guidelines, which specify the duration your injections can be kept at different temperatures outside its normal storage range without becoming compromised. For instance, Ozempic can typically tolerate being stored at room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 56 days but should never be exposed to higher temperatures, even briefly.
- Check temperature regularly. If you’re not carrying Ozempic in a cooler with built-in temperature sensor, invest in a small, portable thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of your medication bag or travel case, especially during long trips, flights, or sunny excursions.
- Seek local assistance. If you're staying somewhere for a long time and face issues with storing your Ozempic pens, don’t hesitate to ask local pharmacies or medical facilities if they can store your medication temporarily in their refrigerators.
- Always have a backup plan for your medication. Bring more pens than needed in case one gets damaged due to temperatures or other issues. Know where you can obtain new ones during your travels.
- Educate your travel companions. Make sure anyone you're traveling with understands the importance of keeping your Ozempic pens cool and take extra caution to help manage it!
Related article: How To Travel with Semaglutide: Your Complete Guide!
How to Travel with Ozempic on a Plane
Moving on from general travel advice to focusing on flying with Ozempic now, it’s key to know the ins and outs of airport security and airplane rules with your medication.
Can you fly with Ozempic?
Absolutely, you can fly with Ozempic. Injectable drugs, as well as needles, used or new, and any medical supply and device you need for your treatment are allowed on the plane in airports departing from Canada and worldwide.
Security personnel at airport checks may require a visual inspection, but having your doctor's letter and prescription should ease this process, although it’s not mandatory when flying domestically in Canada.
Can you pack Ozempic in your carry-on?
Definitely keep your Ozempic in your carry-on luggage, yes. This avoids the risk of it being exposed to extreme temperatures in the cargo hold or getting lost. It’s wise to store it in an easily accessible spot in your carry-on to show at security checkpoints. This also lets you keep an eye on it during the flight.
We suggest packing all medication-related items in a clear, zip-lock bag to make them easily visible to security personnel, which can really speed up the process.
Related article: Safety Tips for Traveling with Wegovy Pens (Semaglutide)!
How to ship Ozempic?
When considering shipping Ozempic, whether because you’re relocating or will be away for a while, you must comply with the legalities involved.
According to Canada Post, drugs can only be mailed "in certain circumstances and subject to various restrictions". You can find more information on the Canadian UPS website too.
For safe and legal shipping of Ozempic overseas or across Canada, consult with a pharmacy or a healthcare professional to use a courier that offers refrigerated shipping. This ensures that Ozempic does not undergo unsafe temperature excursions.
Related article: How to Ship Insulin & Refrigerated Medications?
How to travel internationally with Ozempic?
Traveling overseas with Ozempic involves some extra legwork. While most countries are familiar with semaglutide and you may not be required to show any document, it’s still wise to get information prior departure.
Start by checking the medication import rules of the country you’re visiting. Reach out to their embassy or look up their official guidelines online to make sure you’re all set.
Also, pack enough Ozempic for your entire trip, plus a little extra just in case there are delays.
Bring a copy of your medical prescription for Ozempic and a detailed doctor’s letter that explains your medical condition and the necessity of your medication, including the generic name (semaglutide) since not every place will recognize the brand name Ozempic.
For peace of mind, consider signing up for a medical assistance program or contracting a travel insurance that covers lost or damaged medications while traveling.
We’d Love to Hear from You!
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