Guides / Storage and travel
How long can GLP-1 pens stay out of the fridge?
Anywhere from zero to 56 days, depending on the pen and whether you've used it yet. Every label caps room temperature at 30 °C (86 °F).
[00] Short answer
- Mounjaro and Zepbound single-dose pens and vials: up to 21 days in total out of the fridge, not above 30 °C (86 °F)3–4.
- Wegovy single-dose pens and Ozempic single-dose syringes: up to 28 days at 8-30 °C1–2. Trulicity: up to 14 days, not above 30 °C7.
- Ozempic and Wegovy FlexTouch pens: no time out before first use. Once in use, 56 days at 15-30 °C or in the fridge in the US1–2, and 6 weeks in the UK8–9.
- Saxenda and Victoza: no time out before first use, then 30 days at 15-30 °C or in the fridge5–6.
- Every one of these labels says not to use the medicine if it has been frozen1–7.
How long can each GLP-1 pen stay out of the fridge?
A Mounjaro or Zepbound single-dose pen can be out of the fridge for up to 21 days in total, a Wegovy single-dose pen for 28 days and a Trulicity pen for 14 days, all at or below 30 °C (86 °F). Multi-dose pens work differently: the clock starts at first use. The table lists each label's own numbers.
| Pen or vial | Unused, out of the fridge (US) | After first use (US) | UK label, where it differs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic pen (multi-dose) | Fridge only, 2-8 °C, until the expiry date. No time out is given1 | 56 days at 15-30 °C (59-86 °F) or in the fridge1 | In use: 6 weeks (4-dose pens) or 8 weeks (1 mg 8-dose pen), below 30 °C or in the fridge8 |
| Ozempic single-dose syringe (US) | Up to 28 days at 8-30 °C (46-86 °F)1 | Single use | Not in the UK pen SmPC |
| Wegovy single-dose pen or syringe | Up to 28 days at 8-30 °C (46-86 °F), in the carton, before the cap comes off2 | Single use | Wegovy 7.2 mg single-dose pen: up to 28 days, not above 30 °C10 |
| Wegovy FlexTouch pen (multi-dose) | Fridge only, 2-8 °C. No time out is given2 | 56 days at 15-30 °C (59-86 °F) or in the fridge2 | In use: 6 weeks, below 30 °C or, preferably, in the fridge9 |
| Mounjaro or Zepbound single-dose pen or vial | Up to 21 days in total, not above 30 °C (86 °F)3–4 | Single use | eMC lists only the KwikPen in the UK |
| Mounjaro or Zepbound KwikPen or multi-dose vial | Up to 30 days at room temperature, up to 30 °C, then throw it away3–4 | Fridge or up to 30 °C. Throw away after 30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use, or after 4 weekly doses3–4 | KwikPen in use: up to 30 days, not above 30 °C. No time out given for an unused pen11 |
| Saxenda pen | Fridge only, 2-8 °C. No time out is given5 | 30 days at 15-30 °C (59-86 °F) or in the fridge5 | In use: 1 month, below 30 °C or in the fridge12 |
| Victoza pen | Fridge only, 2-8 °C. No time out is given6 | 30 days at 15-30 °C (59-86 °F) or in the fridge6 | No current UK SmPC on eMC |
| Trulicity single-dose pen | Up to 14 days in total, not above 30 °C (86 °F)7 | Single use | Same: up to 14 days, not above 30 °C13 |
"Fridge only" means the label tells you to keep the unused pen at 2-8 °C (36-46 °F) and gives no allowance for time out. It doesn't say what happens if it does come out, so ask your pharmacist or the maker.
Wegovy tablets are stored differently: at 20-25 °C (68-77 °F) in the original bottle, with short spells at 15-30 °C allowed2. The UK SmPC says they need no special temperature storage14.
Why does it matter whether you've used the pen yet?
For multi-dose pens (Ozempic, Wegovy FlexTouch, Saxenda, Victoza, and the Mounjaro and Zepbound KwikPen), the room-temperature allowance is tied to first use. Before that, the Novo Nordisk labels say fridge only1–2,5–6. After it, the pen can live at room temperature for a fixed number of days.
- Ozempic: throw the pen away 56 days after first use, "even if it still has OZEMPIC left in it". The instructions suggest writing the date on your calendar1.
- Mounjaro and Zepbound KwikPen or multi-dose vial: three limits apply, and whichever comes first wins: 30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use, or 4 weekly doses3–4.
- Single-dose pens (Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Trulicity) are used once, so the only clock is the time out of the fridge before you inject2–4,7.
What temperature counts as room temperature for a GLP-1 pen?
No GLP-1 pen label allows room storage above 30 °C (86 °F). Below that, the lower limit depends on the product. In-use Ozempic, Wegovy FlexTouch, Saxenda and Victoza pens are given 15-30 °C (59-86 °F)1–2,5–6. Wegovy single-dose pens and Ozempic syringes are given 8-30 °C (46-86 °F)1–2. Mounjaro, Zepbound and Trulicity give only the upper limit, "not to exceed 30 °C"3–4,7.
The Wegovy Medication Guide spells out when to throw a pen away: if it has been frozen, exposed to light or temperatures above 86 °F (30 °C), or out of the fridge for 28 days or longer (56 days for an in-use FlexTouch)2. The Ozempic, Wegovy and Saxenda instructions also say not to leave the pen in a car or anywhere it can get too hot or too cold1–2,5.
Does putting a pen back in the fridge reset the clock?
No. The Mounjaro, Zepbound and Trulicity labels give the time out as a running total: "up to a total of 21 days" and "a total of 14 days"3–4,7. A weekend out, back in the fridge, then another week out all count toward the same total.
The Ozempic and Wegovy syringe instructions ask you to write down the date the syringe came out of the fridge and throw it away if it isn't used within 28 days1–2. A note on the carton does the same job for any pen.
UK GLP-1 storage rules that differ from the US
The biggest UK difference is the in-use time for Ozempic and Wegovy FlexTouch: 6 weeks in the UK, against 56 days (8 weeks) in the US. The UK 1 mg Ozempic pen with 8 doses gets 8 weeks8–9.
- Mounjaro KwikPen: the UK label gives 30 days unrefrigerated, not above 30 °C, after first use. Unlike the US label, it gives no allowance for an unused pen3,11.
- Wegovy 7.2 mg single-dose pen: up to 28 days out of the fridge, not above 30 °C, matching the US single-dose pens2,10.
- Saxenda: "1 month" in use in the UK, written as 30 days in the US5,12.
- Wording: UK labels say "below 30 °C" or "not above 30 °C" with no lower limit, where several US labels say 15-30 °C1,8,12.
Left a pen out overnight, or found it frozen? See what to do if a pen was left out or frozen. For mixed peptide vials and compounded GLP-1s, see how long reconstituted peptides last.
Questions
How long can Mounjaro stay out of the fridge?
In the US, a single-dose pen or vial can be unrefrigerated for up to 21 days in total, not above 30 °C (86 °F). An unused KwikPen or multi-dose vial can be at room temperature for 30 days. In the UK, the KwikPen can be kept up to 30 days after first use, not above 30 °C.
Can an unused Ozempic pen be kept out of the fridge?
The US and UK labels say to keep an unused Ozempic pen in the fridge at 2-8 °C and don't give any time out before first use. Once you've used it, it can be kept at 15-30 °C or in the fridge for 56 days in the US, or 6 weeks in the UK.
How long can Wegovy stay out of the fridge?
US Wegovy single-dose pens and syringes can be kept at 8-30 °C for up to 28 days before the cap is removed. The Wegovy FlexTouch pen must stay in the fridge until first use, then lasts 56 days at 15-30 °C or in the fridge in the US, or 6 weeks in the UK.
How long can Trulicity be unrefrigerated?
Up to 14 days in total, not above 30 °C (86 °F). The US and UK labels give the same number.
Can I keep my in-use GLP-1 pen in the fridge instead?
Yes, for the multi-dose pens. The Ozempic, Wegovy FlexTouch, Saxenda, Victoza and Mounjaro or Zepbound KwikPen labels all allow an in-use pen to be kept in the fridge or at room temperature. The throw-away date stays the same.
What if my pen got hotter than 30 °C?
That's outside every GLP-1 pen label. The Wegovy Medication Guide says to throw the pen away if it has been exposed to temperatures above 86 °F (30 °C). Ask your pharmacist or the maker before using any pen that got that hot.
Sources
Checked against US prescribing information for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Saxenda, Victoza and Trulicity (DailyMed, 2025-2026), and the UK SmPCs for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro KwikPen, Saxenda and Trulicity (eMC, 2025-2026). How we check
- 1Ozempic (semaglutide) injection, US prescribing information and Instructions for Use (DailyMed). section 16, recommended storage; version effective June 2026
- 2Wegovy (semaglutide) injection and tablets, US prescribing information, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use (DailyMed). section 16, recommended storage; version effective June 2026
- 3Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection, US prescribing information (DailyMed). section 16.2; version effective August 2026
- 4Zepbound (tirzepatide) injection, US prescribing information (DailyMed). section 16.2; version effective August 2026
- 5Saxenda (liraglutide) injection, US prescribing information and Instructions for Use (DailyMed). section 16; version effective February 2026
- 6Victoza (liraglutide) injection, US prescribing information (DailyMed). section 16; version effective October 2025
- 7Trulicity (dulaglutide) injection, US prescribing information (DailyMed). section 16.2; version effective June 2026
- 8Ozempic solution for injection in pre-filled pen, UK SmPC. sections 6.3 and 6.4; revised 07/2026
- 9Wegovy FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen, UK SmPC. sections 6.3 and 6.4; revised 09/2026
- 10Wegovy 7.2 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen, UK SmPC. sections 6.3 and 6.4; revised 09/2026
- 11Mounjaro KwikPen solution for injection in pre-filled pen, UK SmPC. section 6.4; revised 29 Aug 2026
- 12Saxenda 6 mg/mL solution for injection in pre-filled pen, UK SmPC. sections 6.3 and 6.4; revised 11/2025
- 13Trulicity solution for injection in pre-filled pen, UK SmPC. section 6.4; revised 25 Feb 2026
- 14Wegovy 4 mg tablets, UK SmPC. section 6.4; revised 06/2026
This guide explains what labels and published studies say. It isn't medical advice and doesn't replace your prescriber or pharmacist.
Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Tell us. We aim to fix factual errors within two working days.
Read next
- Left your pen or peptide out overnight, or it froze?A night on the counter is often within a GLP-1 pen's label. A frozen pen isn't, on any label. For research peptides, nobody has tested either.
- Traveling with GLP-1 pens and peptidesPens, needles and cooling packs are all allowed in your carry-on in the US and the UK. The harder part is the temperature, and the label sets that.
- How long do reconstituted peptides last?Nobody has published tested numbers for research peptides once they're mixed. Approved peptides and GLP-1 pens do have exact label limits, and they vary a lot from product to product.