Between the catchy jingle and all the social media and Hollywood fodder, it's hard not to know a thing or two about Ozempic by now. You may have heard that the once-weekly injectable helps lower your A1C (and body weight , though Wegovy is the semaglutide prescribed for that purpose).
However, if you've decided to start taking Ozempic, you'll need to dig deeper than the health-related benefits and understand proper storage. Sure, you may have a dedicated medicine cabinet, but some drugs require storage at colder temperatures. Generally speaking, one pharmacist stresses the importance of following storage guidelines to a tee—for Ozempic or any drug.
"Proper storage of medication ensures its effectiveness and safety," says Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, Pharm.D. , a SingleCare health expert. "Even the slightest deviations in storage conditions can affect the medication's stability."
TL;DR: You'll want to know how to store Ozempic. Does Ozempic need to be refrigerated? If so, how long can Ozempic be out of the fridge? And, hey, by the way, does Ozempic expire? Two pharmacists and an obesity medicine specialist weighed in with the facts.
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Does Ozempic Need To Be Refrigerated?
At first, yes. "New, unused Ozempic pens should be refrigerated at temperatures between 36°F to 46°F, which is 2°C to 8°C," Dr. Bourgeois says.
Gulp. What happens if you don't do that? "If Ozempic is not refrigerated, it will likely lose its efficacy over time," says Dr. Mir Ali, MD , a board-certified bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center. "In some cases, it may cause more side effects."
However, Ozempic pens don't need to be kept in the fridge forever. "Once the pen is used for the first time, it may be stored either in the refrigerator or at room temperature, defined as between 59°F to 86°F, for up to 56 days or its labeled expiration date—whichever is sooner," says Dr. HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, Pharm.D. , a clinical consultant at BuzzRx .
How Long Can Ozempic Be Out of the Fridge?
A new and unused Ozempic pen should immediately go in the fridge. "Once in use, an Ozempic pen can be kept at room temperature, or 59°F to 86°F, for up to 56 days," Dr. Bourgeois says. "After this period, any remaining medication should be discarded, even if it appears to be fine."
Dr. Ngo-Hamilton stresses those numbers are important, explaining, "Only if the product has been stored properly according to the manufacturer's instructions can the medication's integrity be maintained until the expiration date."
You'll want to be careful about where you stash Ozempic pens you're keeping out of the fridge. "It's important to protect the pen from excessive heat and direct sunlight," Dr. Bourgeois says.
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Does Ozempic Expire?
Yes, Ozempic expires. "Ozempic has an expiration date assigned by the manufacturer based on stability testing," Dr. Bourgeois says. "The expiration date is listed on the box."
Now, you may have heard that food expiration dates are misnomers, and they generally are. However, Dr. Bourgeois stresses that people should pay attention to Ozempic expiration dates. For one, Ozempic's efficacy can decline post-expiration date, but there's more to it.
"The breakdown of chemical components in expired medications can potentially lead to the formation of harmful byproducts," Dr. Bourgeois explains. "Although this is not common, it is a risk that should not be overlooked."
Dr. Bourgeois adds there is an increased risk of contamination in expired Ozempic, saying, "Over time, the preservative components in the pen may degrade, making it more susceptible to microbial contamination. This could lead to infections or other complications, especially when injecting the medication."
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Tips for Traveling With Ozempic
1. Leave it at home
You may be able to keep Ozempic off your packing list. "If a patient is on a short trip, less than one week, then they can leave their Ozempic at home," Dr. Ali says.
Bonus: That leaves more room for your favorite skin care products.
2. Keep it close
Ozempic can offer life-extending health benefits that you may consider golden, so treat it as such.
"A good rule of thumb is to always keep your Ozempic on or near your person to ensure it is accessible if you need it and is not exposed to excessive heat or cold that could render it ineffective," Dr. Ngo-Hamilton says.
3. Bring a cooler
You may be craving some fun in the sun. Ozempic is not. "For long trips, keep your Ozempic pen in a cooler bag with ice packs to maintain the recommended temperature," Dr. Bourgeois says. "However, be sure that the pen itself does not freeze during your travels."
4. Carry extra supplies
Sometimes, more is more, even if you're in your minimalist travel era. "Bring extra pens and supplies in case of delays, loss or damages," Dr. Bourgeois says. "Make sure they are easily accessible but protected from temperature extremes."
5. Keep documentation
This one is true of any medication. "Always carry a copy of your prescription," Dr. Bourgeois says. "This can help during airport security checks or if you need medical assistance while traveling."
Have the documents ready, such as in a carry-on or passport holder so that you can present them on demand.
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