Weight Loss
How to Store Wegovy
In one sentence: Keep unopened Wegovy pens in the fridge between 2 and 8C, and once you start using a pen, you can keep it in the fridge or at room temperature below 30C for up to six weeks, but never freeze it.
At a glance
Before you start a pen: store it in the fridge at 2 to 8C. Do not freeze it.
Once you are using a pen: keep it in the fridge or at room temperature below 30C, for up to six weeks.
Keep the cap on and store pens in their original carton to protect them from light.
Never use a frozen pen, even after it thaws. Throw it away.
Do not use a pen that has been kept above 30C.
Travelling? Carry pens in hand luggage in a cool bag, never in the hold, where they can freeze.
Storing Wegovy correctly keeps it safe and effective. The rules are slightly different before and after you first use a pen, which is where most questions come from. This guide covers fridge storage, room-temperature storage once a pen is in use, what to do if a pen freezes or gets too warm, and how to travel with it. For how to give each injection, see how to use the Wegovy pen.
"The part people find reassuring is that once a pen is in use, it does not have to live in the fridge. You can keep it at normal room temperature for up to six weeks, which makes day-to-day life and the odd trip away much easier. The one hard rule is never to use a pen that has frozen."
Key takeaways
Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?
Yes, before first use, at 2 to 8C. Once a pen is in use, it can be kept in the fridge or at room temperature below 30C for up to six weeks.
Can you leave Wegovy out of the fridge?
An in-use pen can be kept below 30C for up to six weeks. Unopened pens should stay refrigerated until you need them.
Can you freeze Wegovy?
No. Never freeze Wegovy, and never use a pen that has been frozen, even once it has thawed. Throw it away.
How do you travel with Wegovy?
Carry pens in your hand luggage in a cool bag, kept below 30C and never in the hold, where they could freeze.
Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?
Yes, before you first use it. Unopened Wegovy pens should be kept in the fridge. According to the Wegovy Summary of Product Characteristics, pens are stored refrigerated at 2 to 8C before first use and must not be frozen.1 Once you start using a pen, the rules relax, and it no longer has to stay refrigerated.
Stage | How to store it | How long |
Before first use (unopened) | In the fridge at 2 to 8C, in the original carton, away from the freezer compartment or cooling element. Do not freeze. | Until the expiry date on the pen |
In use (after your first injection) | In the fridge (2 to 8C) or at room temperature below 30C, with the pen cap on | Up to 6 weeks |
How to store Wegovy before you start using it
Keep unopened pens flat in the fridge at 2 to 8C, ideally on a middle shelf. Store them in their original carton to protect them from light, and keep them away from the back wall or cooling element of the fridge, where they could accidentally freeze. Avoid the fridge door, where the temperature swings the most.
How to store Wegovy once you have started using it
After your first injection, an in-use pen can be kept either in the fridge (2 to 8C) or at room temperature below 30C, for up to six weeks.1 Always keep the cap on the pen between injections to protect it from light, and do not store the pen with a needle attached. If six weeks pass, or you reach the expiry date, dispose of the pen even if some medicine is left.
What if your Wegovy freezes or gets too warm?
Temperature mistakes matter with Wegovy. Do not take chances if a pen has been outside its safe range.
Frozen: Never use a Wegovy pen that has been frozen, even after it has thawed. Throw it away.
Too warm: Do not use an in-use pen that has been kept above 30C. If in doubt, or if a pen has been left somewhere hot, check with your pharmacist before using it.
How to travel with Wegovy
Wegovy travels well with a little planning. A few practical tips:
Carry your pens in your hand luggage, not the hold. Hold luggage can drop below freezing and ruin the medicine.
Use a cool bag or medical travel wallet to keep pens at a safe temperature, especially in hot weather. Do not let them touch ice packs directly, as this can freeze them.
Remember that an in-use pen is fine below 30C for up to six weeks, so short trips are usually straightforward.
For flights, airlines can often store medicine in the aircraft fridge if asked in advance.
For international travel, carry your prescription or a letter confirming you need to travel with injectable medicine and needles.
How to dispose of Wegovy pens and needles
Put used needles straight into a sharps bin, and never in your household or recycling bin. Dispose of empty or out-of-date pens safely too. Your pharmacy, GP surgery or local council can advise on sharps disposal in your area. The safe-disposal steps are covered in how to use the Wegovy pen.
"If you are ever unsure whether a pen has been too warm or has frozen, do not gamble with it. Bring it to a pharmacist, and we can advise. A wasted pen is frustrating, but injecting medicine that has been damaged by temperature is not worth the risk."
Frequently asked questions
Does Wegovy have to be kept in the fridge?
Unopened Wegovy pens must be kept in the fridge at 2 to 8C. Once you start using a pen, it does not have to stay refrigerated: you can keep it in the fridge or at room temperature below 30C for up to six weeks.
How long can Wegovy be out of the fridge?
An in-use pen can be kept at room temperature below 30C for up to six weeks in total. Unopened pens should be kept refrigerated until you need them, rather than left out for long periods.
Can you use Wegovy if it has been frozen?
No. Never use a Wegovy pen that has been frozen, even after it has thawed, because freezing can damage the medicine. Throw away any pen that has frozen and use a new one.
What happens if Wegovy gets too warm?
Do not use an in-use pen that has been kept above 30C. If a pen has been left somewhere hot, or you are not sure, check with your pharmacist before using it rather than risk injecting damaged medicine.
How should you store Wegovy when travelling?
Carry pens in your hand luggage in a cool bag, never in the hold, where they can freeze. Keep them below 30C, avoid direct contact with ice packs, and carry your prescription or a doctor's letter for international travel.
How long does an in-use Wegovy pen last?
Once opened, a Wegovy pen can be used for up to six weeks if stored correctly, either in the fridge or below 30C. After six weeks, or once you reach the expiry date, dispose of the pen safely even if medicine remains.
Related Wegovy guides
Sources and references
Wegovy FlexTouch Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), emc. Section 6.4 storage: refrigerate at 2 to 8C before first use and do not freeze; once in use, keep in the fridge or below 30C for up to 6 weeks; discard a pen that has frozen.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional or the storage advice in the patient information leaflet supplied with your pen. Wegovy is a prescription-only medicine. Always read the patient information leaflet and speak to your clinician or pharmacist about your individual circumstances.
Our commitment to accuracy: This page was written using the electronic medicines compendium (emc) and is reviewed by our Superintendent Pharmacist. We review our weight-management content regularly and update it as guidance changes.
About the author
Blog author
Dayna Sheppard
Dayna is a pharmacy manager with over 15 years of pharmacy experience. She is focused on delivering a safe and excellent pharmacy service for patients.
Medically reviewed by
Medical reviewer
Taslima Hussain
Taslima is a pharmacist who is passionate about patient care. She has experience working in community pharmacy as a locum.
