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Key takeaways
For optimal stability and effectiveness, Zepbound should be stored in the refrigerator at 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
You shouldn’t store Zepbound at extreme temperatures, such as above 86 degrees Fahrenheit or below freezing. Frozen Zepbound pens should be discarded.
Zepbound can be stored at room temperature for up to 21 days. Room temperature pens shouldn’t be returned to the refrigerator. After 21 days, they should be discarded.
When traveling with Zepbound, store it in your carry-on bag. You can bring GLP-1 injectable medications and optional cooler bags through TSA checkpoints.
Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a brand-name prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity. It belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP- 1), which also includes Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Ozempic (semaglutide), and Wegovy (semaglutide). GLP-1 drugs are FDA-approved to treat a variety of health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and obesity.
For optimal effectiveness, it’s important to store Zepbound correctly. Zepbound pens should be stored in the refrigerator, though they can be left at room temperature for up to 21 days. Here’s how you store Zepbound in your fridge, what to do when it’s left unrefrigerated, and how to travel with it.
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Does Zepbound need to be refrigerated?
Zepbound should be stored in the refrigerator at temperatures between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit, says Michael Glickman, MD, a board-certified obesity medicine physician and the founder of Revolution Medicine. This storage recommendation is in line with the medication guide from the manufacturer, Eli Lilly and Company.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the ideal refrigerator temperature is 40 degrees F or below. Default refrigerator temperature settings are, therefore, suitable for storing Zepbound pens. However, some places in the fridge may be more ideal than others due to potential temperature fluctuations. “It’s advisable to store Zepbound in the middle of the refrigerator, where the temperature is most consistent,” Dr. Glickman says. Some refrigerator models may run colder in the back while the doors may run warmer, making the middle the safest place to store Zepbound pens. A higher shelf may also be a prudent choice to keep out of reach of children.
Another consideration is whether to remove the pens from the original carton before placing them in the fridge. This isn’t recommended, Dr. Glickman says. “Storing Zepbound pens in the original carton protects them from light,” he explains.
If these storage requirements sound familiar, that’s because Zepbound storage is the same as other injectable GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, says Christopher McGowan, MD, an obesity medicine specialist practicing in Cary, North Carolina. These medications are best stored at cold temperatures for good reason, which we’ll get into.
Why does Zepbound need to be refrigerated?
The temperature at which Zepbound is stored matters. The ideal place to store it is the fridge until its expiration date. Why? “GLP-1 medications are protein-based drugs and can degrade at extreme temperatures, which could impact their effectiveness,” explains Dr. McGowan. “The active ingredient may lose potency, which could render the medication ineffective and negatively impact weight loss.”
This means that you shouldn’t freeze Zepbound or allow it to freeze in the back of your refrigerator, Dr. Glickman adds. Any extreme temperatures—above 86 degrees Fahrenheit or below freezing—can affect its stability and effectiveness. If the medication becomes frozen, it should not be used, Dr. Glickman says.
While refrigerating Zepbound is the ideal option, it’s not your only one. “Zepbound can be safely stored at room temperature for up to 21 days,” Dr. McGowan says. Zepbound comes in pre-filled, single-dose pens, which are administered to the abdomen, outer thigh, or upper arm. Though injectable pens are easier to administer than syringes, it may still sting to inject Zepbound. Some patients have found that allowing the medication to come to room temperature before administering it reduces injection site reactions like stinging and bruising. So, if you remove your Zepbound pen from the fridge and allow it to reach room temperature before injecting it, that’s within the parameters.
How to travel with Zepbound
GLP-1 medications like Zepbound are taken on a routine basis. They’re usually administered once per week or as directed by a healthcare provider. So, if you have a trip or vacation planned, should you skip your dose(s) or travel with the medication? The drug lingers in the body, so you may not notice any side effects of missing a dose right away. However, skipping doses could throw off your treatment plan, so it’s best to consult a healthcare professional before missing a shot. Fortunately, there are ways you can travel with Zepbound to stay on track with weight-related goals.
For starters, removing Zepbound from the refrigerator for a short period shouldn’t be an issue, Dr. Glickman says. So long as you keep the pens at room temperature and use them within a 21-day window, you can travel with and use Zepbound pens on your journey, he explains. However, if you extend your travels beyond this 21-day window and haven’t used your room-temperature pens, do not use them or return them to the fridge. They should be discarded.
If you plan on traveling for more than 21 days, you can use an insulated cooler bag with ice packs to keep them cold. However, you’ll want to arrange the cooler bag strategically so the pens don’t freeze in the presence of ice packs. If you keep the pens chilled during your travels, return them to the refrigerator when you arrive at your destination.
In the case of air travel, there are a few things you should know. You can take Zepbound pens through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, but not all ice packs are TSA-compliant. Should you choose to use one, make sure your cooler bag and ice packs comply with TSA regulations. For example, the ice packs must be completely frozen (if they are not, then the 3-1-1 liquid rule applies), and the bag must be small enough to carry on. When traveling with Zepbound by plane, you should plan on carrying it on anyway, Dr. McGowan says. Placing Zepbound in your checked luggage can expose it to extreme temperatures and, therefore, damage the medication.
What to do if Zepbound is left out of the fridge
If Zepbound is accidentally left out of the fridge, don’t panic. You have a generous window of time—up to 21 days—to use the medication. Just be sure to mark the date it was removed to ensure it’s used within this timeframe.
Once a Zepbound pen comes to room temperature, it should not be placed back in the refrigerator, Dr. McGowan says. You want to avoid repeatedly removing and returning it to the fridge due to the medication’s sensitivity to temperature fluctuations. “The primary concern with refrigerating a room-temperature pen is temperature cycling—shifting between cold, warm, and cold again,” Dr. McGowan explains. “This can compromise the stability of the medication or cause condensation to form inside, which may impact sterility and overall function.”
This may raise concerns about transporting Zepbound after picking it up from the pharmacy. A brief drive home is unlikely to cause harm, but when in doubt or for longer periods, bring a cooler to store Zepbound pens on your way home, Dr. McGowan says. “This medication is precious, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and take temperature precautions,” he adds.
Zepbound shelf life
It’s normal for medications to have expiration dates, and Zepbound is no exception. The expiration date is printed on the side of each pen, which Dr. Glickman says to check regularly. “Ensure the solution is clear and free from particles before use,” he adds. While room-temperature Zepbound lasts up to 21 days, refrigerated Zepbound has a longer shelf life. The shelf life of refrigerated Zepbound can vary—you can store Zepbound in the refrigerator until the expiration date.
Expired Zepbound pens should be discarded. Any injectable pens—used or not—should also be properly disposed of. Check your community guidelines or seek a sharps container to discard expired or used pens safely.
Whether you use it as a weight-loss drug or to regulate blood sugar, Zepbound works best when stored properly and used as directed. Check the patient labeling for full instructions on how to store Zepbound.
- What temperature should a refrigerator maintain?, USDA (2024)
- Medication Guide ZEPBOUND® (ZEHP-bownd) (tirzepatide) injection, for subcutaneous use, Eli Lilly (2024)
- Medications, TSA