GLP-1 injectable pens require refrigeration and have specific room-temperature tolerances. Storing your medication correctly keeps it safe and effective. This article covers storage rules, what to do if something goes wrong, and how to handle your medication while traveling.
Refrigerator storage (all pens)
All injectable GLP-1 pens should be stored in the refrigerator at 36–46°F (2–8°C) until you're ready to use them. Do not freeze. Do not store in the door of the refrigerator where temperatures fluctuate.
Wegovy and Foundayo oral tablets do not require refrigeration — store at room temperature in the original packaging, away from moisture and direct sunlight.
Room-temperature tolerances (pens)
Once removed from the refrigerator, pens can be kept at room temperature for a limited time. These limits vary by product:
Product | Room-temp limit | Notes |
Wegovy pen | Up to 28 days | After first use or removal from fridge |
Ozempic pen | Up to 56 days | After first use |
Zepbound KwikPen | Up to 21 days | After first use or removal from fridge |
Mounjaro pen | Up to 21 days | After first use or removal from fridge |
Compounded semaglutide vial | Message your clinician | Compounded formulations vary — confirm with your care team |
Room temperature means up to 77°F (25°C). Do not leave pens in a hot car, near a window in direct sunlight, or in any environment where temperature can spike above this.
What not to do
Don't freeze your pens. Frozen medication should not be used. If your pen accidentally froze, do not use it — contact support.
Don't leave pens in direct sunlight or a hot car. Heat degrades the medication faster than room-temperature limits assume.
Don't put a pen back in the fridge after it's been at room temperature past its limit. Once the room-temp window has passed, the pen should be discarded.
Don't shake the pen. GLP-1 pens should not be shaken before use.
What to do if your pen was left out too long or exposed to heat
If your pen was left out past its room-temperature limit, or was exposed to excessive heat (hot car, direct sun for an extended period), do not use it. Message support and your care team — a replacement may need to be arranged. Using degraded medication may mean getting a lower effective dose without knowing it.
Traveling with your medication
Pens travel well with standard cold-pack precautions. TSA allows refrigerated medication through airport security — you do not need to put it through the X-ray machine, and you are allowed to carry ice packs or gel packs to keep medication cold.
For longer trips, a small insulated travel case with a cold pack keeps pens within the safe temperature range. The room-temperature tolerances above apply during travel — as long as your pen stays within those windows, the medication is fine.
If you're going somewhere without reliable refrigeration for an extended period, contact your care team before your trip to plan ahead.
Disposing of used pens and needles
Used needles and pens are sharps and should not go in regular trash. Use an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container (available at most pharmacies). When the container is full, follow your local guidelines for sharps disposal — most states have drop-off programs at pharmacies or medical facilities.
Still have questions?
For questions about your specific medication's storage requirements, message your clinician or contact support through your Maximus dashboard.