Travelling with GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), dulaglutide (Trulicity), or liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda) requires careful preparation to maintain medication efficacy and treatment continuity. These injectable medications, used for type 2 diabetes and weight management, have specific storage requirements and must be transported correctly through airport security. Proper planning includes obtaining sufficient supplies, securing a clinician's letter, understanding refrigeration needs, and managing dosing schedules across time zones. This guide provides essential information to help you travel safely and confidently with your GLP-1 medication, ensuring compliance with UK and international regulations whilst protecting your health abroad.
Quick Answer: Travel with GLP-1 medications by carrying them in hand luggage with a clinician's letter, maintaining proper refrigeration (2–8°C before use, specific room temperature limits after), declaring them at airport security, and adjusting dosing schedules to account for time zone changes.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are injectable medications used primarily for type 2 diabetes management and, in some formulations, for weight management. Common examples include semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda). Travelling with these medications requires careful advance planning to ensure continuity of treatment and medication integrity.
Before your journey, confirm you have sufficient medication to cover your entire trip plus at least one week extra in case of delays. Request a prescription from your GP well in advance, as some pharmacies may need additional time to dispense GLP-1 medications. Obtain a letter from your prescribing clinician on headed paper that includes:
Your name and date of birth
The medication name (generic and brand)
Dosage and frequency
Confirmation that the medication is medically necessary
A statement that you require pen needles for administration
This letter is strongly recommended to expedite airport security and customs screening, particularly when travelling internationally. Keep the medication in its original packaging with the pharmacy label clearly visible, showing your name and prescribing details. Ensure you have spare pen needles and a sharps container for safe disposal.
It's advisable to keep all GLP-1 pens in your cabin baggage, with supplies stored separately to mitigate loss or theft. Consider carrying diabetes identification and, when travelling to EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Comprehensive travel insurance with medical coverage is essential for all destinations.
Check the specific entry requirements for your destination country, as some nations have restrictions on importing medications or require advance notification. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website and your destination's embassy can provide guidance on medication import regulations.
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Start HereProper storage of GLP-1 medications is critical to maintain their efficacy and safety. Most GLP-1 receptor agonists require refrigeration between 2°C and 8°C before first use, though specific requirements vary by product. Once in use, storage requirements differ by medication:
Ozempic (semaglutide): After first use, can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 6 weeks
Wegovy (semaglutide): Single-use pens can be kept at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 28 days before use
Trulicity (dulaglutide): May be kept at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 14 days
Victoza (liraglutide): After first use, can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 1 month
Saxenda (liraglutide): After first use, can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) for up to 1 month
For air travel, carry your GLP-1 medication in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage. Aircraft hold temperatures can fluctuate dramatically and may freeze medications, rendering them ineffective. If your medication requires continuous refrigeration, consider a medical-grade cooling case specifically designed for injectable medications. These portable coolers use gel packs or battery-powered systems to maintain appropriate temperatures.
Avoid placing GLP-1 pens directly against ice packs, as freezing will permanently damage the medication. If your medication freezes, it must be discarded—do not use it even if it subsequently thaws. Similarly, never expose GLP-1 medications to direct sunlight or leave them in hot vehicles, as temperatures above 30°C can degrade the active ingredient.
When staying in hotels, store refrigerated medications in the minibar fridge if available, away from the freezer compartment. If no refrigeration is available and your medication is already in use, check your specific product's Patient Information Leaflet or Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for room temperature stability information. Keep medications away from bathroom heat and humidity, which can also affect stability.
Navigating airport security with injectable medications requires understanding current regulations and preparing appropriate documentation. In the UK and EU, passengers are permitted to carry essential medications in hand luggage, including those exceeding the standard 100ml liquid restriction, provided they are supported by appropriate documentation.
At security checkpoints, inform officers immediately that you are carrying injectable medication and associated supplies. Present your clinician's letter and consider keeping medications easily accessible for inspection. The medication should remain in its original packaging with the pharmacy label visible. Pen needles are permitted when accompanied by the corresponding medication and supporting letter, but must be declared at security.
According to UK Department for Transport guidance, essential medicines, associated supplies and cooling gels are permitted in reasonable quantities in hand luggage with appropriate documentation and are subject to additional screening. It's advisable to check specific airport and airline policies in advance.
For international travel, regulations vary significantly between countries. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States has similar provisions for medical necessities, but some countries have stricter requirements. Research your destination's customs regulations well in advance—some nations require medications to be declared on arrival or may restrict certain formulations.
Cooling packs and medical cooling cases are generally permitted in hand luggage. Essential medical cooling gels are allowed in reasonable quantities, subject to screening and documentation. If using ice packs, they should be as solid as possible when passing through security.
Consider carrying a Diabetes UK travel letter or ID card, which can help explain your medical needs. For longer flights, ask your airline in advance about their policy for disposing of used needles safely during the journey. Allow extra time at airports for potential additional screening of medical supplies, particularly when travelling during peak periods or through airports with enhanced security measures.
Time zone changes can complicate medication timing, particularly for GLP-1 receptor agonists with specific dosing schedules. Most GLP-1 medications are administered once weekly (such as semaglutide and dulaglutide) or once daily (such as liraglutide), and maintaining consistency is important for optimal glycaemic control and minimising side effects.
For once-weekly injections, product-specific guidance should be followed:
Ozempic (semaglutide): You can change your injection day provided there are at least 72 hours between doses. If you miss a dose and it's within 5 days of your scheduled dose, inject as soon as possible; if more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose.
Trulicity (dulaglutide): If at least 3 days remain until your next scheduled dose, take the missed dose; otherwise, skip it and resume your regular schedule.
Wegovy (semaglutide): Similar to Ozempic, ensure at least 72 hours between doses when changing your injection day.
If travelling eastward (losing hours), you may need to take your injection slightly earlier than usual. When travelling westward (gaining hours), you can delay your injection, ensuring you maintain the minimum interval between doses as specified in your medication's guidance.
For once-daily GLP-1 medications like liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), try to maintain as close to your usual time as possible. When crossing time zones, gradually adjust your injection time by one to two hours per day until you reach a convenient local time. Note that if you miss more than 3 consecutive days of liraglutide, you may need to restart at a lower dose and re-titrate—consult your healthcare provider if this occurs.
Monitor your blood glucose more frequently during travel if you have diabetes, as changes in meal times, activity levels, and stress can all affect glycaemic control. The risk of hypoglycaemia with GLP-1 medications alone is generally low but increases if you also take insulin or sulfonylureas. If you experience unusual symptoms or are uncertain about timing, contact your healthcare team or local medical services for guidance.
Consider discussing your travel plans with your GP or diabetes specialist nurse before departure, especially for complex itineraries crossing multiple time zones.
Losing or damaging your GLP-1 medication whilst abroad can be distressing, but there are practical steps to obtain replacement supplies and maintain your treatment regimen. The approach depends on your location, travel insurance coverage, and the availability of the medication in your destination country.
Immediately contact your travel insurance provider if you have medical coverage, as many policies cover emergency medication replacement. Provide details of the lost or damaged medication, including the prescription and circumstances of the loss. Some insurers have 24-hour helplines and relationships with international pharmacy networks that can expedite replacement.
If you are in the European Economic Area (EEA), you may be able to obtain a prescription from a local doctor and have it dispensed at a local pharmacy, though availability of specific GLP-1 formulations varies between countries. Your UK prescription is not automatically valid in other countries, even within the EU post-Brexit. Carry a copy of your original prescription and your clinician's letter, as these will help local healthcare providers understand your treatment.
Contact your UK GP practice or out-of-hours service for advice. Whilst they cannot directly arrange medication abroad, they can provide documentation to support your case with local healthcare providers or insurance companies. You can also contact the manufacturer's medical information service for advice on local availability of your medication.
For non-EEA destinations, visit a local primary care or urgent care clinic first. Explain your situation and present your documentation. Emergency departments should be reserved for urgent or severe issues. Be prepared that you may need to pay privately for consultations and medication, so keep receipts for insurance claims. If offered an alternative GLP-1 brand or formulation, confirm with the prescribing doctor that it is appropriate for your condition, as these medications are not directly interchangeable without clinical assessment.
If replacement is impossible, contact your diabetes specialist team or GP for guidance on temporary management strategies. Missing one or two doses of a once-weekly GLP-1 medication is generally not immediately dangerous, though glycaemic control may be affected. Never attempt to "double up" on doses to compensate for missed injections, as this significantly increases the risk of adverse effects.
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience severe, persistent abdominal pain (which could indicate pancreatitis), or if you are unable to keep fluids down, causing dehydration. Report any suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme upon returning to the UK.
Yes, you can carry GLP-1 medications and pen needles in hand luggage through UK and EU airport security. Declare them immediately at security checkpoints and present your clinician's letter and original packaging with pharmacy labels to expedite screening.
Unopened GLP-1 medications require refrigeration at 2–8°C. Once in use, most can be stored at room temperature below 30°C for specific periods (14–42 days depending on the product). Use a medical-grade cooling case for hand luggage if continuous refrigeration is needed.
For once-weekly GLP-1 injections, maintain at least 72 hours (semaglutide) or 3 days (dulaglutide) between doses when adjusting your schedule. For daily injections like liraglutide, gradually shift your injection time by one to two hours per day until you reach a convenient local time.
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