Key takeaways
- Wegovy (semaglutide) pens should generally be stored in the refrigerator to maintain their effectiveness.
- If refrigeration isn’t possible, Wegovy can be kept out of the refrigerator for up to 28 days if stored properly.
- You should not use Wegovy if it has been frozen or exposed to high temperatures. Always check the expiration date on the pen before use.
Wegovy is a prescription drug that comes as a liquid solution in a prefilled injection pen.
In general, you should store Wegovy in the refrigerator. But you can leave it out of the fridge overnight and for up to 28 days as long as it’s stored at 86°F (30°C) or less and doesn’t freeze or come into contact with light.
You can inject Wegovy immediately after removing it from the refrigerator. But it’s important to avoid injecting Wegovy if it has previously been frozen.
You don’t need to warm up the Wegovy pen before using it. But if you find that injecting Wegovy immediately after removing it from the fridge causes discomfort, you can let the pen warm up to room temperature. Doing so is optional, but it may help eliminate any discomfort from injecting cold fluid.
If you choose to let Wegovy warm to room temperature, do not remove the cap until you’re ready to inject your dose.
What temperature should Wegovy be stored at?
For best results and safety, it’s important to follow the storage instructions that come with your medication. It’s best to store your pens in their original cartons in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36ºF to 46°F (2ºC to 8°C).
It’s important to throw away your pen if it has been:
- frozen
- exposed to light
- exposed to temperature above 86°F (30°C)
- out of the refrigerator for longer than 28 days
Wegovy storage after opening
After opening Wegovy, you can store your pens in their original cartons in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36ºF to 46°F (2ºC to 8°C). You can also store them at room temperature for up to 28 days, but you will need to discard them if they have not been used within that 28-day timeframe.
Wegovy can be kept out of the refrigerator for up to 28 days if it’s kept at a temperature of 46°F to 86°F (8°C to 30°C) before you remove the pen cap.
While traveling, you may want to use an insulated case to keep the drug within the required temperature range. Make sure you do not put the drug next to an ice pack, which may freeze it. (The medication needs to be safely disposed of if it freezes.)
If you’re flying, it’s best to keep your Wegovy pen in your carry-on luggage to keep it from freezing. You’ll need to declare your Wegovy medication at the security checkpoint for screening.
Medical Perspective“I recommend packing at least one extra dose beyond what you expect to need. That way you are covered if your travel is delayed or a dose is misplaced.”
Learn more about traveling with Wegovy.
Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
How long does Wegovy last in the fridge?
Each Wegovy pen has an expiration date that indicates how long it can be stored safely. The expiration date is written near the top of the pen next to the Wegovy logo.
Here are some common questions people have about using and storing Wegovy.
If you forget to put Wegovy in the refrigerator when you first get it, you can still refrigerate it as long as the pens have not been:
- left out of the fridge for more than 28 days
- frozen
- exposed to a temperature above 86°F (30°C)
If you’re not sure whether you can still use Wegovy after leaving it out of the fridge, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Ozempic are all brand-name drugs that contain the active ingredient semaglutide, but these medications vary in how they’re used and stored.
Rybelsus comes as an oral tablet and should not be refrigerated. The tablets should be kept in the original bottle at a temperature of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), somewhere dry and away from moisture.
Ozempic is given as an injection under the skin and comes in an injection pen. It should be stored in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) before its first use. After its first use, you can store your Ozempic pen for 56 days at a temperature of 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
Each Wegovy pen contains a single dose, while an Ozempic pen contains multiple doses. Like Wegovy, you should not use Ozempic if it has previously been frozen. Like Rybelsus, Wegovy tablets are stored at room temperature and should not be refrigerated, stored away from moisture.
If you have other questions about how Wegovy compares with Rybelsus or Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
In general, Wegovy should be stored in the refrigerator. But you can leave the drug out of the fridge for up to 28 days as long as the temperature doesn’t rise above 86°F (30°C).
Wegovy should not be injected if it has previously been frozen or exposed to light. Your pen will also have an expiration date marked on it to let you know how long you can safely use it.
If you have questions about using Wegovy correctly, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.