How Long Does Wegovy Last in the Fridge: UK Storage Guide

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist licensed in the UK for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. As a biological medicine, Wegovy requires specific refrigerated storage to maintain its stability and therapeutic effectiveness. Understanding how long Wegovy lasts in the fridge—and the proper storage conditions—is essential for ensuring your medication remains safe and effective throughout treatment. This guide explains UK storage requirements, shelf life, and what to do if storage conditions are compromised.

Wegovy Storage Requirements and Shelf Life

Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist licensed in the UK for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities. As a biological medicine, Wegovy requires specific storage conditions to maintain its stability and therapeutic efficacy throughout its shelf life.

Wegovy pre-filled pens should be stored in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. According to the UK SmPC (Summary of Product Characteristics), the medication should be kept in its original carton to protect it from light, which can affect stability. The peptide molecule in semaglutide can degrade when exposed to temperatures outside the recommended range, potentially reducing its effectiveness.

Key storage principles include:

• Store in the refrigerator (2°C to 8°C), away from the freezer compartment

• Never freeze Wegovy — frozen pens must be discarded even if subsequently thawed

• Keep away from the cooling element to prevent accidental freezing

• Store out of reach of children and pets

The expiry date printed on the pen and carton indicates how long the medication remains stable when stored correctly under refrigerated conditions. Using Wegovy beyond its expiry date is not recommended, as the manufacturer cannot guarantee its potency or safety. Patients should check the expiry date before each injection and plan their prescription refills accordingly to avoid treatment interruptions. Proper storage is a shared responsibility between pharmacists, who must maintain the cold chain during dispensing, and patients, who must continue appropriate storage at home.

How Long Does Unopened Wegovy Last in the Fridge

When stored correctly in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C, unopened Wegovy pens remain stable until the expiry date printed on the label and carton. This expiry date is determined by the manufacturer (Novo Nordisk) through extensive stability testing and is based on the approved shelf life for the product.

The exact duration of shelf life remaining when you receive your medication depends on when it was manufactured and how long it remained in the pharmaceutical supply chain before reaching your pharmacy. It is essential to check the expiry date on each pen when you collect your prescription, as different pens in the same supply may occasionally have different expiry dates.

Important considerations for unopened pens:

• The expiry date applies only if the pen has been continuously stored within the approved temperature range

• If the cold chain has been broken (e.g., left at room temperature beyond the permitted period), the expiry date may no longer be valid

• Pharmacies are required to maintain proper refrigeration, but patients should transport medication home promptly

• If you have concerns about whether your medication has been stored correctly during transit, contact your pharmacist

Patients following the standard Wegovy dose escalation schedule will use one pen per week (not per month), as each Wegovy pen is a single-use device. Therefore, it is advisable to check that your supply has adequate shelf life remaining, particularly if you are prescribed multiple pens at once. If you notice an expiry date approaching within the next few weeks, discuss this with your pharmacist before leaving the pharmacy.

Storage Duration After First Use

It's important to understand that Wegovy pens are designed as single-dose, disposable devices. Each pen is used once for your weekly injection and then must be discarded immediately in a sharps container. Unlike some other injectable medications that contain multiple doses, Wegovy pens are not intended for repeated use.

Because Wegovy pens are single-use only, there is no "after first use" storage period. Once you have administered your dose, the pen should be disposed of properly in a sharps container. You should not attempt to store a used pen for later use or try to extract additional doses from it.

Practical guidance:

• Each pen is for single use only — inject and discard immediately

• Do not attempt to use a pen for multiple doses

• Wegovy pens come with a built-in needle; you do not need to attach a separate needle

• Never store a pen after it has been used

• Follow the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) for proper administration

If you have removed a pen from the refrigerator but not yet used it, refer to the UK SmPC or PIL for guidance on how long the unopened pen can remain at room temperature. Always maintain a consistent storage location for your unused pens to ensure you can easily track your medication supply and expiry dates.

What Happens If Wegovy Is Stored Incorrectly

Incorrect storage of Wegovy can compromise the medication's stability, efficacy, and safety. The most critical storage errors include freezing, exposure to excessive heat, and prolonged storage outside the recommended temperature range. Understanding the consequences of improper storage helps patients recognise when medication should be discarded.

Freezing is the most common and serious storage error. If Wegovy is frozen, the molecular structure of semaglutide can be irreversibly damaged. Frozen medication must be discarded immediately, even if it subsequently thaws and appears normal. Signs that medication may have been frozen include ice crystals in the solution or a change in appearance. If you are unsure whether your pen has been frozen, contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider before using it.

Excessive heat exposure (temperatures above 30°C) can also degrade semaglutide. This might occur if medication is left in a hot car, near a radiator, or in direct sunlight. Exposure to temperatures above 30°C may reduce the medication's potency, meaning you might not receive the full therapeutic dose. If your Wegovy has been exposed to temperatures outside the recommended range, consult the SmPC or your pharmacist for guidance.

Visual inspection before each use is important:

• Wegovy should be a clear, colourless to slightly yellow solution

• Do not use if the solution is cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles

• Do not use if the pen appears damaged or has been dropped

If you have stored Wegovy incorrectly, do not use the medication. Contact your pharmacy or GP practice for advice. In most cases, incorrectly stored medication will need to be replaced. While this may be inconvenient, using compromised medication could result in inadequate treatment. The MHRA Yellow Card scheme allows reporting of suspected problems with medicines, including those related to storage or quality concerns.

Travelling with Wegovy: Temporary Storage Guidelines

Travelling with Wegovy requires advance planning to maintain appropriate storage conditions and ensure your medication remains effective throughout your journey. Whether travelling domestically within the UK or internationally, patients must consider both transportation and storage at their destination.

For storage during travel, refer to the UK SmPC or PIL for specific guidance on how long unopened Wegovy pens can be kept at room temperature (up to 30°C). During hot weather or when travelling to warm climates, use a cool bag with ice packs to maintain an appropriate temperature during transit. Ensure the pen does not come into direct contact with ice packs, as this could cause freezing — wrap the pen in a cloth or place it in a separate compartment.

Air travel considerations:

• Carry Wegovy in your hand luggage, never in checked baggage (where it may freeze)

• Bring a letter from your GP or prescription documentation confirming your need for the medication

• Inform security staff that you are carrying refrigerated medication and injection devices

• Check airline-specific policies regarding medical cooling bags and hand luggage allowances

• Check airline-specific policies regarding needles and sharps disposal

At your destination, identify refrigeration options in advance. Hotels can often provide refrigerator access in your room or may store medication in their kitchen facilities. If staying with friends or family, arrange refrigerator space beforehand. For camping or remote travel where refrigeration is unavailable, check the SmPC for guidance on temporary storage at room temperature.

International travel requires additional considerations. Ensure you have adequate supply for your entire trip plus a few extra pens in case of travel delays. Some countries have restrictions on importing prescription medications, so research requirements for your destination and carry appropriate documentation. If you need to adjust your weekly injection day due to travel, follow the guidance in the SmPC or PIL regarding the minimum interval between doses.

When to Discard Your Wegovy Pen

Knowing when to discard your Wegovy pen is essential for medication safety and treatment efficacy. Every Wegovy pen should be discarded immediately after a single use, as each pen is designed as a single-dose device. However, there are additional circumstances when unused pens must be discarded before their expiry date.

Mandatory disposal situations:

• After each injection — dispose of the used pen in a sharps container immediately

• If frozen — even briefly, discard the pen without using it

• Past expiry date — never use medication beyond the printed expiry date

• If stored outside the recommended temperature range — as per SmPC guidance

• If solution appears abnormal — cloudy, discoloured, or containing particles

• If pen is damaged — cracked, dropped, or mechanically compromised

• If storage history is uncertain — when you cannot confirm proper storage conditions

Safe disposal procedures are important for environmental protection and public safety. Used Wegovy pens should be placed in a sharps container. These may be available on prescription or through local council or pharmacy arrangements. Never dispose of pens in household waste or recycling bins. When your sharps container is three-quarters full, seal it and return it to your pharmacy or local authority collection point. Some areas offer home collection services for sharps containers — contact your local council for information.

If you need to discard unused, unexpired medication (for example, if treatment is discontinued), return it to your pharmacy. Pharmacies can dispose of unwanted medicines safely. Never flush medications down the toilet or pour them down the sink, as this can contaminate water supplies.

Patients should maintain a medication diary or calendar noting when each pen expires and when it was used. This helps prevent accidental use of expired medication and ensures you request prescription refills with adequate time before your supply runs out. If you are unsure whether a pen should be discarded, err on the side of caution and consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider rather than risk using compromised medication.

If you experience side effects or suspect an issue with the quality of your medication, report this through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme (yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or the Yellow Card app).

Frequently Asked Questions