{"id":631045,"date":"2025-01-23T09:30:40","date_gmt":"2025-01-23T14:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631045"},"modified":"2025-09-18T11:28:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T15:28:37","slug":"does-zepbound-need-to-be-refrigerated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/does-zepbound-need-to-be-refrigerated\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Zepbound need to be refrigerated?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zepbound<\/span><\/a> (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 <\/span>glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists<\/span><\/a> (GLP- 1), which also includes <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a> (tirzepatide), <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide), and <\/span>Wegovy<\/span><\/a> (semaglutide). GLP-1 drugs are FDA-approved to treat a variety of health conditions, including <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a> and obesity.<\/span><\/p>\n

For optimal effectiveness, it\u2019s 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\u2019s how you store Zepbound in your fridge, what to do when it\u2019s left unrefrigerated, and how to travel with it.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tZepbound 5 mg\/0.5mL (4 Pens)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$920.08\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$920.08\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Zepbound prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Does Zepbound need to be refrigerated?<\/span><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the <\/span>U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/span><\/a> (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. \u201cIt\u2019s advisable to store Zepbound in the middle of the refrigerator, where the temperature is most consistent,\u201d <\/span>Dr. Glickman<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another consideration is whether to remove the pens from the original carton before placing them in the fridge. This isn\u2019t recommended, Dr. Glickman says. \u201cStoring Zepbound pens in the original carton protects them from light,\u201d he explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

If these storage requirements sound familiar, that\u2019s because Zepbound storage is the same as other injectable GLP-1 medications, including <\/span>Ozempic<\/span><\/a>, Wegovy, and <\/span>Mounjaro<\/span><\/a>, says <\/span>Christopher McGowan, MD<\/span><\/a>, an obesity medicine specialist practicing in Cary, North Carolina. These medications are best stored at cold temperatures for good reason, which we\u2019ll get into.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why does Zepbound need to be refrigerated?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The temperature at which Zepbound is stored matters. The ideal place to store it is the fridge until its expiration date. Why? \u201cGLP-1 medications are protein-based drugs and can degrade at extreme temperatures, which could impact their effectiveness,\u201d explains Dr. McGowan. \u201cThe active ingredient may lose potency, which could render the medication ineffective and negatively impact <\/span>weight loss<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This means that you shouldn\u2019t freeze Zepbound or allow it to freeze in the back of your refrigerator, Dr. Glickman adds. Any extreme temperatures\u2014above 86 degrees Fahrenheit or below freezing\u2014can affect its stability and effectiveness. If the medication becomes frozen, it should not be used, Dr. Glickman says.<\/span><\/p>\n

While refrigerating Zepbound is the ideal option, it\u2019s not your only one. \u201cZepbound can be safely stored at room temperature for up to 21 days,\u201d 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\u2019s within the parameters.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to travel with Zepbound<\/span><\/h2>\n

GLP-1 medications like Zepbound are taken on a routine basis. They\u2019re 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 <\/span>missing a dose<\/span><\/a> right away. However, skipping doses could throw off your treatment plan, so it\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

For starters, removing Zepbound from the refrigerator for a short period shouldn\u2019t 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\u2019t used your room-temperature pens, do not use them or return them to the fridge. They should be discarded.<\/span><\/p>\n

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