When traveling with Ozempic, it’s important to store it at certain temperatures. This helps ensure that the medication works effectively. Learn how to travel with it, whether it’s opened or unopened.
You can store Ozempic in different ways during travel. But storage temperature is important regardless of how you’re traveling.
This article looks at how to travel with Ozempic. It also provides information on getting Ozempic through airline security checks, safe disposal, and medication travel tips.
Storing Ozempic when you travel depends on whether it is opened or unopened. The correct temperature is important for storing Ozempic. If you store it at the correct temperatures, it will last until its expiration date. Keep a note of the expiration date on the pen and the product packaging.
The table below summarizes the storage details and temperatures for Ozempic, including when you keep it in the fridge or leave it out.
| Unopened | • Keep it in the fridge until first use at 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC). | • Avoid placing Ozempic in a freezer or near a cooling element in a fridge. The medication could freeze or get too cold. • If Ozempic freezes, do not use it, even if it thaws out. |
|---|---|---|
| After first use, opened | • Keep it in the fridge at 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC). or • Store at room temperature of 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C). | • You can keep the opened Ozempic in the fridge or at room temperature for 56 days. • Keep Ozempic away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. • Keep the pen cap on to protect it when not in use. • If room temperature is higher than 86°F (30°C), keep the opened Ozempic in a fridge or in an insulated travel case. |
Your doctor or pharmacist also may be able to answer questions about traveling with Ozempic.
Once opened, you can keep Ozenpic out of the fridge for 56 days as long as it stays at room temperature. This is 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
You need to store unopened Ozempic in the fridge until first use. If it’s not stored, it may not work effectively or last until its expiration date.
If you have kept Ozempic unrefrigerated for too long or it was exposed to high temperatures, contact the pharmacy or drugmaker. Either of them can let you know whether it’s still OK to use.
Watch for any changes to the medication, such as visible particles or cloudy liquid. If you notice any, avoid using it and discard the product. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to be certain.
The following tips may help when traveling with Ozempic:
- To keep Ozempic cold while flying, keep it in your carry-on luggage rather than checked baggage. Your checked baggage is stored in the cargo area of the plane, where temperatures may be more extreme.
- Keep Ozempic in an insulated travel case to help keep it at a stable temperature.
- Protect Ozempic from direct sunlight and avoid excessive heat or freezing temperatures.
- Carry spare medication in case a pen gets lost or damaged.
- Avoid using Ozempic if it looks cloudy, has particles, feels warm, or freezes.
- If traveling by car, keep Ozempic in the body of the car rather than the trunk to avoid extreme temperatures.
- Do not leave Ozempic in a car for long periods of time, such as overnight.
- Once you arrive at your destination, put any unopened pens in the fridge.
- If Ozempic is in the fridge, leave the pen at room temperature for around 30 minutes before injecting it. This may help reduce any
discomfort from cold injections that some people experience.
In the United States, most transportation modes allow medications to be brought with you during travel with minimal restrictions. But airline travel has certain regulations while traveling with medications. For more information, see “Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations concerning air travel with medications” below.
Travel case or cooler
An insulated travel case is available to keep medications, such as insulin, cool during travel. A travel cooler can help store Ozempic at the recommended temperature while traveling.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations concerning air travel with medications
TSA helps protect air travelers in the United States. TSA allows necessary medications of more than 3.4 ounces in carry-on luggage, including injectable medication.
You will need to declare any medication and remove it from the carry-on luggage. Place Ozempic and any medical accessories, such as cooling packs, in a clear plastic bag for security screening. TSA recommends labeling medications clearly.
You may want to carry your prescription and doctor’s contact information when traveling. But this is not a TSA requirement.
Disposing of Ozempic when traveling
It’s important to dispose of Ozempic safely during travel.
You can also check where you can safely dispose of your sharps disposal container during travel. These may include hazardous waste disposal sites or collection sites at pharmacies or hospitals.
You need to store Ozempic at certain temperatures to maintain its effectiveness. Be sure to follow the medication storage instructions no matter how you’re traveling.
Use an insulated travel case or a travel cooler to keep Ozempic at certain temperatures. Or you can keep Ozempic in your carry-on luggage. Once you’ve arrived at your destination, transfer unopened pens to a fridge.
Become familiar with TSA regulations before traveling by air with your medication, including Ozempic. This may help avoid unnecessary delays. See the “Travel tips” section above for more details.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.