Nearly 30% of Canadian adults are struggling with obesity, and an even greater number are overweight. For many, diet and exercise alone aren't enough to turn the tide against chronic weight conditions. That's where prescription weight-loss medications like Wegovy (semaglutide) come in. Approved by Health Canada in June 2021, Wegovy offers a helping hand by regulating appetite and reducing calorie intake.
But the success of your treatment with Wegovy also hinges on how well you store your 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 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 keep 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 traveling?
- And much more!
Related article: Traveling with Wegovy: Travel Cases and Flying Tips!
Does Wegovy Need to Be Refrigerated?
Absolutely. Wegovy needs to be refrigerated. It is a fragile medication that needs careful refrigeration to remain effective. Knowing how to store your Wegovy pens correctly is crucial. Not following the manufacturer's storage instructions could significantly impact the success of your weight loss treatment and possibly pose risks to your health.
Related article: Switching from Wegovy to Zepbound: What You Should Know.
Wegovy refrigeration
Semaglutide, the active drug in Wegovy and Ozempic, is a biologic. While biologics, also called biological drugs or biopharmaceuticals, are at the cutting edge of biomedical research and some of the most potent therapies, they're incredibly delicate and sensitive to temperature and light. They can quickly deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures or excessive light.
Refrigeration allows to preserve their effectiveness and ensure safety over extended periods. Specifically, Wegovy pens must be refrigerated prior to use. They can stay out of the fridge for no more than 28 days. In contrast, Ozempic, though it contains the same active ingredient, can be kept unrefrigerated for up to 56 days, a difference that stems from different concentrations of the drug and preservative formulations used in each injection.
Related article: Does Ozempic Need to Be Refrigerated? Storage and Refrigeration Tips!
Wegovy storage temperature
According to Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer, these are the ideal storage temperature conditions for your Wegovy pens:
- Before use: Wegovy pens should be stored in the refrigerator, between 2°C and 8°C, until they are ready to be used
- Room Temperature Storage: If you can't refrigerate Wegovy, it’s safe to keep it at room temperature—below 30°C—for up to 28 days, as long as it's kept away from light with the opaque pen cap provided.
How long does Wegovy last in the fridge?
When properly stored in the fridge, Wegovy pens last until the expiration date provided by the manufacturer, usually about 12 months from the date they were manufactured. The official expiration date is labelled on the pen itself and on its carton box.
Once a pen is taken out of the fridge, it should be used within 28 days, even if it gets put back in the fridge.
Looking for a visual guide? Check out our video tutorial on how to store Wegovy pens!
How Long Can Wegovy Be Out of the Fridge?
Wegovy pens have a limited shelf life when unrefrigerated. Once taken out of the fridge, Wegovy can remain at room temperature for up to 28 days. It's crucial to remember that after this period, the medication becomes unstable and may degrade quickly.
Related article: A Step-by-Step Guide to Injecting Wegovy the Right Way.
Wegovy shelf life at room temperature
As mentioned above, Wegovy’s shelf life at room temperature is limited to 28 days.
But this is only safe when the environmental conditions are controlled — below 30°C and away from direct light. If these conditions are met, the medication will remain stable and effective until the 28-day limit.
However, if Wegovy is exposed to temperatures above 30°C, even briefly, or to excessive light during this 28-day window, it may degrade prematurely and become unsafe or ineffective.
Can you put Wegovy back in the fridge?
Yes, you can put Wegovy back in the fridge if it has not exceeded the 28-day limit at room temperature.
For instance, if the ambient temperature in your home is too high and you don’t have a cooling case to protect your pens from heat, it’s wiser to return it to the fridge than exposing it to high temperatures.
However, it's important to note that returning Wegovy to the fridge won’t extend its shelf life. Once removed and stored at room temperature, it is good for only 28 days, regardless of whether it's stored back in the fridge during that period.
Related article: Zepbound, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic: What’s the Difference?
What Happens If Wegovy Is Not Refrigerated?
Well, first let’s insist on that if Wegovy is not refrigerated for a few days, it’s totally fine! The problem comes only when it’s not refrigerated for too long (more than 28 days). In that case, your Wegovy pens aren’t safe to use anymore.
Laboratory tests from Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer, confirm that Wegovy begins to lose its effectiveness after 28 days out of the fridge.
So, if your injection pen has been unrefrigerated for this long, it’s time to dispose of it, even if there’s still medicine inside, to avoid the risk of using compromised medication. Never use a Wegovy pen that’s been unrefrigerated for more than 28 days. Take a new, fresh one from your refrigerator or the pharmacy.
Related article: How to Store Zepbound? Does Tirzepatide Need to Be Refrigerated?
What happens if Wegovy gets warm?
Another scenario is when your Wegovy pen gets warm. I mean, warmer than the recommended maximum of 30°C. This can result in rapid degradation of the semaglutide inside. And even brief exposures to such high temperatures can significantly impact the efficacy and safety of your injections.
It’s surprisingly common for Wegovy pens to be exposed to excessive heat accidentally. Here are a few examples of how it can happen:
- In a Car: Leaving your Wegovy pen in the car on a sunny day is a common mistake. Temperatures inside a vehicle can escalate quickly, far exceeding the safe storage temperature.
- Near Windows or in Direct Sunlight: Storing the medication near a window or in direct sunlight can also cause the temperature to rise above safe levels quite quickly.
- Close to Heat Sources: Placing Wegovy near heat sources such as ovens, heaters, or radiators can inadvertently expose it to temperatures higher than 30°C.
In any of these scenarios, if your Wegovy pen has gotten too warm, it is not safe for use anymore. It’s safest to discard it and replace it with a new one from your fridge.
How to tell if semaglutide is bad?
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, should be a clear, colorless liquid. It’s not always visible, but signs that your Wegovy pen may have gone bad include:
- Unusual appearance
- Cloudiness
- Color changes
- Visible particles
If you notice any of these changes, do not use the pen. Dispose of it safely and obtain a new one to ensure your treatment remains effective and safe.
Does Wegovy Expire?
Yes, like any medication, Wegovy expires. Actually, it even has two expiration dates:
- The official expiration date: Each Wegovy pen comes with an expiration date clearly labeled, which is usually valid for about one year from your purchase date. As long as your pens are stored properly in the refrigerator and the temperature remains consistent, you can safely use your Wegovy up to this date.
- The expiration date that occurs 28 days after removal from the fridge: After you take a Wegovy pen out of the fridge, remember that it has a new expiration timeline — it should be used within 28 days.
Keeping an eye on this timeframe and on both expiration dates is crucial to ensure you're using safe and effective medication only.
Can you use expired Wegovy?
No, you should never use expired Wegovy. Once it's past the labeled expiration date or the 28 days after removal from refrigeration, the medication may not be as effective and could potentially be unsafe.
The chemical integrity of semaglutide can degrade, making it less effective, impacting your weight-loss treatment, and in some cases, it might even lead to unexpected side effects.
Related article: How To Travel With Refrigerated Medications Like Wegovy?
Wegovy Refrigeration and Storage: FAQs
What if I forgot to refrigerate my Wegovy pen?
No need to panic! If it's been less than 28 days and the temperature hasn't risen above 30°C, your Wegovy pen is still safe to use. Just pop it back in the fridge as soon as you remember, or keep it safe at room temperature.
But if it's been out longer or exposed to higher temperatures—like a hot car during summer—it's safer to dispose of it and use a new one.
What if I left my Wegovy out overnight?
If your home stayed cool and the Wegovy pen was away from direct heat sources, like a sunny window or near a stove, the pen is likely fine if it was left out just one night. Wegovy can handle being at room temperature for up to 28 days. However, make sure to use it within 28 days!
Does wegovy need to be at room temperature before injection?
Actually, you can inject Wegovy straight from the fridge. It does not need to be at room temperature before the injection. However, some people prefer their medication to be at room temperature, as it can make the injection more comfortable than when injecting cold Wegovy.
But this is optional and based on personal preference. The medication itself will work just as well whether it's cold from the fridge or at room temperature.
How to travel with Wegovy pens?
When the success of your medical treatment depends on strict temperature conditions, traveling with refrigerated medications like Wegovy can seem challenging. There are two different situations where you need to take extra precautions when traveling with Wegovy pens:
- Short Trips (Less than 28 days): Keep your Wegovy pens out of direct sunlight and away from heat. A simple cooler bag can help protect them if you’re venturing into warmer climates where the temperature may get above 30°C.
- Long Trips (More than 28 days): It's essential to keep your pens refrigerated and use portable travel refrigerators or medical-grade travel cases to ensure Wegovy stays within the safe temperature range.
Related article: Traveling with Wegovy: Travel Cases and Flying Tips!
What happens if Wegovy freezes?
To prevent Wegovy pens from freezing, do not place them near the freezer compartment in your fridge. Never leave them in the car overnight. When living in or traveling 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?
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.
We’d Love to Hear From You!
Do you have any questions or experiences with storing or using Wegovy that you’d like to share? Please leave your comments below. Your insights could help others too!
Article Last Updated on December, 13, 2024
