If you have looked up GLP-1 storage before, there is a good chance you found the wrong number. Australian product information uses different limits for some of the presentations commonly held here. [1] [2] [3]
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Storage requirements differ between products and between presentations of the same product. The consumer medicine information supplied with your own pen is the authority to follow.
How long can it be out of the fridge?
Before use, the Australian information for Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro says to store the medicine in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C and away from the cooling element. [1] [2] [3]
The exact room-temperature period depends on the product and presentation:
| Medicine and presentation | Out of the fridge | Maximum temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic pen, in use | 42 days (6 weeks) | Below 30°C [1] |
| Wegovy FlexTouch, after first use | 42 days (6 weeks) | Below 30°C [2] |
| Wegovy single-dose pen | 28 days | Not above 30°C [2] |
| Wegovy pre-filled syringe | 28 days | Not above 30°C [2] |
| Mounjaro KwikPen | 30 days total | Not above 30°C [3] |
| Mounjaro vial or pre-filled pen | 21 days | Not above 30°C [3] |
The commonly repeated overseas figures are not safe substitutes for the Australian figures. In particular, the Australian Ozempic in-use period is 42 days, Wegovy FlexTouch is 42 days, and Mounjaro KwikPen is 30 days total. [1] [2] [3]
When the period runs out
Discard the medicine when the relevant out-of-refrigerator period has ended, even if some medicine remains. The Ozempic and Wegovy information expressly describes discarding the pen after the stated period. [1] [2]
The Wegovy pre-filled syringe information says to discard it if it has been out of the refrigerator for more than 28 days. [2] The Mounjaro information gives the KwikPen limit as up to a total of 30 days; if you are unsure how to count time out of refrigeration, ask your pharmacist rather than guessing. [3]
Freezing, heat, sunlight and the car
The Australian information for Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro says not to use the medicine if it has been frozen. [1] [2] [3] A refrigerator back wall, a cold car overnight or temperature-controlled assumptions about aircraft hold luggage can all create avoidable uncertainty.
The product information also says to protect the medicine from heat and direct sunlight. Ozempic specifically says not to store it in a car, on a windowsill, in a bathroom or near a sink. [1] Wegovy and Mounjaro use broader wording about excessive heat. [2] [3]
Flying with it in Australia
The Australian product information does not mention aircraft, carry-on baggage, hold luggage or airport security. [1] [2] [3] It does recommend telling your doctor, diabetes education nurse, pharmacist or prescriber if you are travelling and asking for a letter explaining why you are carrying injecting devices. The Wegovy and Mounjaro information also warns that you may not be able to obtain the product in the country you visit. [1] [2] [3]
For air travel, check your airline and airport-security requirements before you pack. Australian security guidance says medically necessary medicines can be carried onboard, but supporting prescription documentation may be required and hypodermic needles require evidence of medical necessity. Carry supporting prescription documentation and keep the medicine within the storage limits specified in its Australian CMI throughout the journey. [4] [5]
- Check the current CMI and product information for your exact medicine and presentation.
- Check how long that particular presentation may remain outside refrigeration and its permitted temperature range.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist what documentation you should carry for the medicine and injecting devices.
- Check the airline, airport-security, customs and destination-country requirements before travelling.
- Check your prescription expiry, repeats and available supply in advance.
- Ask your pharmacist how to maintain the required temperature during the journey and what to do if the medicine becomes too hot, too cold or frozen.
- Check arrangements for carrying and disposing of needles or used injection devices.
Do not allow the medicine to freeze or exceed the storage limits stated in the CMI for your exact product. If you are unsure how to transport it within those limits, ask your pharmacist before travelling. [1] [2] [3]
The part people actually get wrong: counting storage time
The storage clock is not identical for every GLP-1 presentation. Ozempic and Wegovy FlexTouch use an in-use or after-first-use period, while the Wegovy single-dose presentations have an unrefrigerated-storage period and Mounjaro KwikPen refers to up to a total of 30 days when refrigeration is not possible. Check the instructions for the exact presentation you have rather than applying one rule to every pen. [1] [2] [3]
Record the relevant date with your medication details so you do not have to reconstruct it later. MediRemind can hold those dates with your medication record, so you have a record to discuss with your pharmacist.
Keep the storage dates with your medication record.
Record the date your pen came out of refrigeration, your prescribed dose and your prescription details in MediRemind.
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A short checklist before a trip
- Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before the trip about your medicine, injection schedule, storage and the supply you will need.
- Check the current CMI/product information for your exact medicine and presentation.
- Check how long that particular presentation may remain outside refrigeration and its permitted temperature range.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist what documentation you should carry for the medicine and injecting devices.
- Check the airline, airport-security, customs and destination-country requirements before travelling.
- Check your prescription expiry, repeats and available supply in advance.
- Ask your pharmacist how to maintain the required temperature during the journey and what to do if the medicine becomes too hot, too cold or frozen.
- Check arrangements for carrying and disposing of needles or used injection devices.
Where MediRemind fits
MediRemind is a medication-management and record-keeping app. It does not determine whether a medicine has been stored correctly, whether it is suitable to use, how it should be transported, or whether your injection schedule should be changed. For those decisions, follow the current CMI for your medicine and speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
MediRemind can help you record your prescribed medication, relevant dates, weekly injection schedule, prescription expiry and repeats so that you have the information available when discussing your medicine with your healthcare professional.
Medical and travel disclaimer: This article provides general Australian information only and is not medical advice, prescribing advice or personalised travel advice. Storage requirements vary by medicine, presentation and circumstances and may change. Always check the current Consumer Medicine Information and product information supplied with your exact medicine and speak with your doctor or pharmacist before travelling, changing your injection schedule or making decisions about storage or use. Check current airline, airport, customs and destination-country requirements separately. If a medicine may have frozen, overheated or otherwise been stored outside its specified conditions, seek advice from your pharmacist or doctor before using it. MediRemind does not determine whether a medicine is safe or suitable to use.
Sources
- Ozempic Australian Product Information and Consumer Medicine Information, TGA Medicine Finder
- Wegovy FlexTouch Australian Product Information and Consumer Medicine Information, TGA Medicine Finder
- Mounjaro Australian Product Information and Consumer Medicine Information, TGA Medicine Finder
- TGA: Travelling with medicines and medical devices
- Australian Home Affairs: What you can and can't bring through airport security