A survival guide for GLP-1s in the summer heat

In this article:

• Heat and Ozempic
• Ozempic storage
• Traveling with Ozempic
• Prioritizing hydration
• Managing side effects
• Ozempic at summer events

In this article

• Heat and Ozempic
• Ozempic storage
• Traveling with Ozempic
• Prioritizing hydration
• Managing side effects
• Ozempic at summer events

If you’re on a GLP-1 like Ozempic this summer, packing your bag for the beach, pool, or lake might look a little different than usual. Sure, you can still bring your sunglasses and a guilty-pleasure paperback, but you may also need extra water, high-protein snacks, and a plan for keeping your medication safe in the heat.

Hot weather can make summer more complicated for people taking GLP-1 medications, especially when travel, outdoor plans, or changes in routine are involved. And because these medications can cost more than $1,300 per month without insurance, the last thing you want is to damage a pen by storing it incorrectly. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun in the sun. You just need the right plan. These Ozempic summer tips will help you make it through the summer on a GLP-1 medication.

Why heat and GLP-1s don’t always mix well

Why does summer require extra attention for people taking Ozempic? Because GLP-1 users are especially prone to dehydration and its complications. Some of the more common gastrointestinal side effects of Ozempic, such as nausea and diarrhea, can cause rapid fluid loss. But the medication itself also plays a role by decreasing thirst alongside appetite.

“[Ozempic] doesn’t change your body’s internal thermostat and it doesn’t stop you from sweating,” says Brandon Howard, MD, internal medicine hospitalist practicing at Holy Name Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center, “[but it] slows digestion and blunts both appetite and thirst, so [you may] drink less without realizing it.”

Dehydration makes it harder for the body to regulate temperature in the heat, and it might be easy to attribute the symptoms, such as headaches, dry mouth, and fatigue,  to  the medication instead. As Dr. Howard says: “Sweating and cooling both depend on having enough fluid on board, so someone who has quietly become depleted has far less reserve to draw on once the temperature rises.”

Together, fluid loss and insufficient cooling can lead to heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. While this is true for everyone, it’s particularly dangerous for people taking GLP-1 medications.

“The difficulty is that early heat illness [symptoms like] nausea, fatigue, and lightheadedness look almost identical to the side effects people already expect from their medication,” Dr. Howard says, “so they tend to dismiss it and push through.”

It’s important to watch closely for signs of heat-related illness if you’re taking a GLP-1 medication in the summer. Dr. Howard tells his own patients to look for symptoms that don’t overlap with typical Ozempic side effects, such as dark or decreased urine, dizziness when you stand up, a racing heart, and nausea that prevents you from keeping fluids down. Symptoms like confusion and suddenly not sweating in the heat are signs of a medical emergency, he adds, and should never be written off as side effects of your medication.

How to store your GLP-1 pen in summer heat

Unused pens need to be kept refrigerated between 36°F and 46°F. Opened or in-use pens are more portable. They can go back in the fridge or stored at room temperature for up to 56 days.

More portable doesn’t mean indestructible. Ozempic’s manufacturer defines “room temperature” as between 59°F and 86°F, so stowing your pen in a hot glove compartment or a beach bag in direct sunlight puts it at risk.

“Once Ozempic gets above 86°F, the semaglutide, which is a peptide, can start to denature, break down, and lose potency,” says Julie J. Lee, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor at the Stanford School of Medicine Division of Primary Care & Population Health.

This breakdown usually isn’t harmful, but it can make your medication less effective. And there may be no visible signs of the damage. Dr. Lee says you should not use your Ozempic pen if it appears cloudy or discolored, or contains floating particles or clumps, but also notes that many heat-damaged pens look perfectly normal.

If you suspect your pen was compromised by heat, err on the side of caution and don’t use it, regardless of how it looks. Dispose of it as you would an empty pen, then contact your prescribing provider or pharmacy to request a replacement.  See the current cost of Ozempic with SingleCare. 

GLP-1 storage conditions by pen status
Pen status	Safe temperature range	Maximum duration
Unopened (refrigerated)	36°F to 46°F	Until expiration date printed on package
In-use (refrigerated)	36°F to 46°F	56 days after opening
In-use (room temperature)	59°F to 86°F	56 days after opening

How to travel with GLP-1s in summer

Here are a few things to remember.

• Dr. Lee recommends keeping your pen in your carry-on bag instead of your checked luggage when flying: airplane cargo holds can get unpredictably cold or hot, so the cabin is the only temperature-safe place.
• When traveling by car, keep your pen in the air-conditioned interior of your vehicle, not in the trunk or glove compartment, says Aspen Ralph, DO, internal medicine provider with Bookmark Medical. Take it with you if you’re parking your car somewhere for an extended period of time, she adds, since vehicle interiors can heat up quickly.
• Alternatively, you can store your pen in an insulated case with an ice pack to keep it cool during travel or in between stops. Dr. Ralph recommends insulin-style travel cases designed to protect injectable medications from temperature changes, but any insulated, travel-friendly case works in a pinch. Just be sure to pack the case so the medication doesn’t come into direct contact with the cooling pack. This could accidentally freeze the solution, rendering it unusable.

Managing side effects when temperatures rise

Summer heat can add challenges for people on GLP-1 medications, particularly around dehydration and nausea.

To stay hydrated, plan to drink more water than you think you need. According to Farrah Christian, FNP-C, founder of Maverick Medical Care in Texas, a useful starting point is to divide your body weight in half and drink that many ounces of water per day. So a 150-pound person would aim for at least 75 ounces daily.

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Follow a schedule to stay ahead of fluid loss. If water alone isn’t enough, a sugar-free electrolyte replacement drink can help. Coffee and alcohol don’t count toward daily fluid intake and actually dehydrate the body, Christian notes.

To manage heat-induced nausea, Ralph recommends taking small, frequent sips of water rather than drinking large amounts at once, along with being mindful of your diet: choose bland or chilled foods, avoid heavy meals, and eat during the morning or evening when temperatures are lower. If nausea tends to follow a weekly injection, consider shifting the injection to the evening when it’s cooler.

GLP-1s at summer events: BBQs, alcohol, and beach days

A little planning goes a long way when summer events, beach days, and outdoor workouts are on the schedule.

• Indulge responsibly. Summertime gatherings are full of foods that can trigger symptoms on GLP-1 medications, such as loaded potato salad, hot dogs, and fruity mixed drinks. You can still enjoy yourself, but the heat calls for some moderation. Christian advises drinking one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage to avoid dehydration, and filling your plate with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to keep nausea in check. Keep greasy, fried, and high-sugar foods to a minimum.
• Pack smart for the beach. A full day on the sand requires some extra preparation. If you’re bringing your pen, keep it inside a cooler and out of direct sunlight. Pack plenty of water and high-protein foods. If you start to feel nauseated or lightheaded, get out of the sun. A beach umbrella or a shaded pavilion can make a real difference.
• Moderate your exercise. It’s great to maintain an exercise routine on GLP-1 medications, but hot weather calls for some adjustments. Dr. Howard recommends staying well-hydrated and working out during cooler hours. He also suggests skipping hard outdoor sessions during dose-increase weeks, when symptoms tend to worsen, and advises paying close attention to how you feel: “If you feel off mid-workout, give that symptom more benefit of the doubt as heat stress and stop.”