How long can Wegovy be out of the fridge?

In this article:

• Wegovy and refrigeration
• How long can Wegovy be out of the fridge?
• Potential side effects
• How to know Wegovy has gone bad
• The bottom line

In this article

• Wegovy and refrigeration
• How long can Wegovy be out of the fridge?
• Potential side effects
• How to know Wegovy has gone bad
• The bottom line

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a once-weekly weight-loss medication that belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists. It is FDA approved for weight management and to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other cardiovascular death in people who are overweight or have obesity. Wegovy is self-injected at home, so users must know how to properly store their single-dose injector pens before use. According to the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, Wegovy pens should be refrigerated, but they can safely be left out of the fridge for up to 28 days.

Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?

Wegovy does not need to be continuously refrigerated, but Novo Nordisk recommends refrigeration. Refrigerating the drug ensures that it stays at a consistent temperature until use.

Specifically, the manufacturer suggests storing Wegovy between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit, a standard refrigerator temperature range. (The FDA recommends setting refrigerators at or below 40 F.) However, the company also states that Wegovy can be stored with the pen cap on in temperatures up to 86 F for up to 28 days. 

In all cases, you should store Wegovy pens with the cap on “to ensure it remains sterile,” says Cynthia Odogwu, MD, a Maryland family and lifestyle medicine provider. This medication should also be kept in its original carton to protect against direct sunlight.

How long can Wegovy be out of the fridge?

“Once [Wegovy] has been opened and left out at room temperature, it should be used within 28 days,” says Dr. Odogwu. Once Wegovy has been opened and unrefrigerated, putting it back into the fridge will not extend its shelf life beyond those 28 days, according to Supriya Rao, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist and obesity medicine provider in Massachusetts.

If you plan to travel by car or train with Wegovy, Dr. Rao suggests keeping it in an insulated cooler bag with an ice pack. “Avoid freezing, and never store it in a hot car,” she says.  

When traveling by plane, store Wegovy in its original container in your carry-on luggage, and be prepared to declare it to security personnel at the TSA screening. Avoid putting Wegovy in your checked luggage, which may freeze at high altitudes. The goal is to keep the injection pens at a cool and consistent temperature. “You can always pack a travel thermometer if needed,” says Dr. Rao. Also, remember to pack a sharps disposal container for used injection pens.

What happens if Wegovy is not refrigerated?

Drs. Odogwu and Roa agree: The main problem with leaving Wegovy out of the fridge for too long is that it might make the drug less effective. Like Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro, Wegovy is an expensive prescription drug. Reducing the drug’s potency with improper storage can be a costly mistake. “It doesn’t become inherently harmful, but it may not work as intended,” says Dr. Rao. 

Dr. Odogwu adds that keeping a drug too warm—in this case, above 86 F or unrefrigerated for more than 28 days—can increase the risk of contamination, which ultimately raises the risk of an injection site infection.

Potential side effects

Wegovy that is unrefrigerated for too long will lose its effectiveness, but it’s not likely to cause additional side effects. Regardless of Wegovy storage practices, serious side effects such as hypoglycemia, gallbladder issues, pancreatitis, and thyroid problems should be reported to a healthcare professional immediately. 

How to know if Wegovy has gone bad

It’s not easy to tell if Wegovy has gone bad, say Drs. Odogwu and Rao. The drug is not likely to change in appearance or smell even if it has lost its potency. That said, you should throw it away immediately if you notice any changes from its standard clear, colorless appearance.

How long does Wegovy last in the fridge?

When stored continuously in the fridge, a Wegovy pen will be good until the expiration date on the product. However, if stored at room temperature between 36 F and 86 F, the pen should be good for 28 days. “If it’s been stored improperly or you’re unsure about how long it’s been out, it’s always safest to dispose of it and use a new pen,” says Dr Rao.

The bottom line

Wegovy can be kept out of the fridge for up to 28 days, but only in certain conditions. It should be stored with the cap on in its original container and away from light in a place that remains above 46 F and below 86 F.

Seek personalized medical advice from your prescriber if you have specific questions about proper Wegovy storage, Wegovy shelf life, expiration dates, or administration instructions.