How to store GLP-1 pens: fridge, room temperature and travel

Every weekly GLP-1 pen starts in the fridge, but how long it can stay out afterward ranges from 21 days to 8 weeks depending on the product and pen type. Here is what the US prescribing information and the Canadian product monographs say for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, side by side. Follow your pharmacist's instructions and the leaflet in your box first.

The rules that apply to all four

Fridge temperature: 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for unused pens. Kept refrigerated, unused pens are good until the expiry date on the label.
Upper limit: 30°C (86°F). No label allows room-temperature storage above that.
Never freeze: all four labels say not to freeze the medication and not to use it if it has been frozen. The Ozempic and Wegovy labels also say not to store pens directly next to the fridge's cooling element.
Protect from light and heat: keep pens in the original carton (single-dose pens and KwikPens) or with the pen cap on (Ozempic and Wegovy FlexTouch).
No needle left on: the Ozempic and Wegovy FlexTouch labels say to remove the needle after each injection and store the pen without one attached.

United States: FDA prescribing information

Product	Before first use	Out of the fridge (unused)	After first use
Ozempic pen (multi-dose)	Fridge, 2–8°C (36–46°F), until expiry	Label gives no room-temperature allowance before first use	56 days at 15–30°C (59–86°F) or in the fridge
Ozempic single-dose prefilled syringe	Fridge, 2–8°C (36–46°F)	If needed, up to 28 days at 8–30°C (46–86°F)	One dose; discard after use
Wegovy single-dose pen or syringe	Fridge, 2–8°C (36–46°F)	If needed, before cap removal, up to 28 days at 8–30°C (46–86°F), in the carton	One dose; discard after use
Wegovy FlexTouch pen (multi-dose)	Fridge, 2–8°C (36–46°F)	Label gives no room-temperature allowance before first use	56 days at 15–30°C (59–86°F) or in the fridge
Mounjaro or Zepbound single-dose pen or vial	Fridge, 2–8°C (36–46°F)	If needed, up to a total of 21 days unrefrigerated, not above 30°C (86°F)	One dose; discard after use
Mounjaro or Zepbound KwikPen (4 doses)	Fridge, 2–8°C (36–46°F), until expiry	If kept at room temperature (up to 30°C / 86°F), throw away after 30 days	Fridge or room temperature up to 30°C (86°F); throw away after 30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use, or 4 weekly doses

Two details people miss. First, a new Ozempic pen or Wegovy FlexTouch pen has no room-temperature allowance on the US label before first use; the 56-day clock is for pens already in use. Second, the tirzepatide KwikPen has three ways to expire (30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use, or 4 weekly doses), and whichever comes first applies. The labels say to throw it away then "even if there is medicine left in it."

Canada: Health Canada product monographs

Product	Before first use	Out of the fridge (unused)	After first use
Ozempic pen	Fridge, 2–8°C, until expiry	Not listed before first use	8 weeks below 30°C or in the fridge
Wegovy single-use pen	Fridge, 2–8°C	If needed, before cap removal, below 30°C for a total of 28 days	One dose; discard after use
Wegovy FlexTouch (multi-use pen)	Fridge, 2–8°C	Not listed before first use	Below 30°C or in the fridge, up to 8 weeks
Mounjaro single-dose pen or vial	Fridge, 2–8°C, until expiry	If needed, up to 21 days, not above 30°C	One dose; discard after use
Mounjaro KwikPen (4 doses)	Fridge, 2–8°C, until expiry	If needed, up to 30 days unrefrigerated, not above 30°C	Up to 30°C for up to 30 days; discard 30 days after first use or after 4 weekly doses
Zepbound KwikPen (4 doses)	Fridge, 2–8°C, until expiry	If needed, up to 30 days unrefrigerated, not above 30°C	Up to 30°C for up to 30 days; discard 30 days after first use or after 4 weekly doses

The Canadian monographs give temperatures in Celsius only and generally say "below 30°C" where the US labels give a 15°C to 30°C range. Ozempic and Wegovy FlexTouch use 8 weeks in Canada and 56 days in the US, which is the same length of time. Zepbound in Canada is the 4-dose KwikPen, so the 30-day rule is the one to know.

Ozempic

The US label says: "Prior to first use, the OZEMPIC pen should be stored in a refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)," and after first use "the pen can be stored for 56 days at controlled room temperature 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) or in a refrigerator." The US patient instructions add that the pen in use "should be disposed of (thrown away) after 56 days, even if it still has OZEMPIC left in it," and suggest writing the disposal date on your calendar.

The Canadian patient information says that during use "you can keep the pen for 8 weeks when stored at a temperature below 30°C or in a refrigerator (2°C – 8°C)."

Wegovy

Wegovy injection comes as a single-dose pen and a multi-dose FlexTouch pen, and their rules differ. The single-dose pen can be kept out of the fridge for up to 28 days, but only before the cap is removed: 8°C to 30°C (46°F to 86°F) per the US label, below 30°C per the Canadian monograph. Both say to throw the pen away if it has been frozen, exposed to light or to temperatures above 30°C (86°F), or out of the fridge for 28 days or longer (US) or more than 28 days (Canada).

The FlexTouch pen follows the Ozempic pattern: refrigerate before first use, then 56 days (US) or up to 8 weeks (Canada) at room temperature or in the fridge. Wegovy tablets are stored differently, at room temperature in the original bottle, and are not covered here.

Mounjaro and Zepbound

For single-dose pens and vials, the US labels say each one "can be stored unrefrigerated at temperatures not to exceed 30°C (86°F) for up to a total of 21 days," then must be discarded. The Canadian Mounjaro monograph gives the same 21 days.

For the 4-dose KwikPen, the US labels say to throw it away "after a total of 30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use, or after taking 4 weekly doses." The Canadian Mounjaro and Zepbound KwikPen instructions say used pens can be kept "at room temperature up to 30°C for up to 30 days" and thrown away 30 days after first use or after the 4 weekly doses, because "attempting to inject any leftover medicine could result in an incomplete dose."

Heat, cold and the "is it still OK?" question

Frozen, even once: don't use it. Every label is clear on this.
Above 30°C (86°F): outside every label's range. A car in summer or a sunny windowsill can pass that quickly. Ask your pharmacist before using a pen that may have overheated.
Lost track of days: if you don't know when a pen came out of the fridge or was first used, you can't tell whether it is within its window. Write the date on the carton or log it.
Check before every injection: the labels describe the medicine as clear and colourless (tirzepatide: colourless to slightly yellow). Don't use it if it is cloudy, discoloured or has particles.

Travelling with GLP-1 pens

None of the labels has a separate travel rule, so the storage limits above still apply on the road. A few practical points from the US and Canadian airport security agencies:

Carry-on: CATSA recommends packing all medication in your carry-on, in an easy-to-reach spot, and carrying liquid prescription medication in its original container with the pharmacy label. That also keeps your pens with you, where you can control their temperature.
Liquid limits don't apply: both TSA and CATSA allow medically necessary liquid medication over 100 mL (3.4 oz) in carry-on bags. Declare it to the screening officer.
Ice and gel packs: allowed for keeping medicine cold. TSA says they must be completely solid at the checkpoint. CATSA suggests cooling gel packs or a non-electric insulated container.
Don't let pens freeze against the pack: since a frozen pen can't be used, keep a layer such as a cloth or the carton between the pen and the ice pack.
Needles: CATSA allows syringes and needles when you are carrying the medication that needs them, with needle guards in place.
Count your room-temperature days: a trip can use up part of a pen's out-of-fridge allowance. For single-dose tirzepatide pens the 21 days is a total, so time out of the fridge adds up.

Rules for other countries differ. Check with your airline and the destination country before you go.

Sources

This page summarizes official product labels and airport security guidance as general information. It is not medical advice. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist and the leaflet that came with your medication, and ask your pharmacist if a pen may have been frozen or overheated. Labels are updated; check the current version for your product.

Frequently asked questions

Do GLP-1 pens need to be refrigerated?

Yes, before first use. The US prescribing information and the Canadian product monographs for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound all say to store new pens in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Kept that way, unused pens can be used until the expiry date on the label.

How long can Ozempic stay out of the fridge?

After first use, an Ozempic pen can be kept for 56 days (US label) or 8 weeks (Canadian monograph) at room temperature or in the fridge. The US range is 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F); the Canadian monograph says below 30°C. Before first use, both say to keep it refrigerated.

How long can Mounjaro or Zepbound stay out of the fridge?

It depends on the pen. Single-dose pens and single-dose vials (US, and Mounjaro in Canada) can be unrefrigerated, at no more than 30°C (86°F), for a total of 21 days. The multi-dose KwikPen can be kept at room temperature up to 30°C for 30 days, and is thrown away 30 days after first use or after its 4 weekly doses, even if medicine is left.

How long can a Wegovy pen be out of the fridge?

The single-dose (single-use) pen can be kept out of the fridge for up to 28 days before the cap is removed: 8°C to 30°C (46°F to 86°F) on the US label, below 30°C in the Canadian monograph. The multi-dose Wegovy FlexTouch pen can be kept for 56 days (US) or up to 8 weeks (Canada) after first use, at room temperature or in the fridge.

My pen froze. Can I still use it?

No. Every one of these labels says not to freeze the medication and not to use it if it has been frozen. Contact your pharmacist about a replacement.

I left my pen in a hot car. Is it still OK?

The labels set 30°C (86°F) as the upper limit. The Wegovy labels say to throw the pen away if it has been exposed to temperatures above 30°C (86°F). If your pen may have gone above that, ask your pharmacist before using it.

Do I have to warm my pen before injecting?

No. The Zepbound pen instructions (US) and Mounjaro pen instructions (Canada) both say it is not necessary to warm the pen to room temperature.

Can I fly with my GLP-1 pens?

Yes. TSA (US) and CATSA (Canada) both allow medically necessary liquid medication in carry-on bags above the usual 100 mL (3.4 oz) limit, as long as you declare it at screening. Both allow ice or gel packs to keep medicine cool; TSA says they must be completely solid at the checkpoint.

Missed a GLP-1 dose?
The 5-day, 48-hour and 4-day windows on the Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound labels.Injection site rotation
Six-zone rotation chart, where Ozempic and Mounjaro labels say to inject, and spots to avoid.GLP-1 dose schedule
Week-by-week escalation for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound from the labels.GLP-1 cost in Canada (2026)
Cash prices for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound and generics, plus a cost calculator.