how long does wegovy last in the fridge

Unravelling the Lifespan: How Long Does Wegovy Last in the Fridge?

11
 min read by:
Fella Health

Did you know British men using GLP-1 treatments for weight loss might need to be as careful with their fridge as they are with their diet? The effectiveness of treatments like semaglutide can be highly sensitive to storage conditions. Keep reading to find out how long you can store WeGovy in the fridge and ensure your weight loss efforts are not undermined by improper storage.

Proper Storage Guidelines for Wegovy

Proper storage of Wegovy is vital to ensure its effectiveness for weight loss treatment. The following guidelines outline the best practices for storing this GLP-1 receptor agonist drug.

Wegovy comes in a pen form, which is convenient for users but requires careful storage to maintain its effectiveness. After receiving your prescription, you should always:

  • Store Wegovy pens in a fridge: As soon as you receive new Wegovy pens, you should store them in a refrigerator at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C. They should not be stored near the freezer compartment or any cooling element as it’s possible for the medication to be accidentally frozen.

  • Never freeze Wegovy: If frozen, the active ingredients in the pens can be damaged, rendering the medication ineffective for weight management. If you’ve accidentally frozen your Wegovy, it’s recommended that you don’t use it and reach out to our Fella Health Care Team for advice.

  • Store Wegovy away from light: Extended exposure to light can also impact effective administration and the potency of Wegovy. Hence, always ensure that the pens are kept in their original container or a dark area within your refrigerator.

  • Monitor the expiry date: Keeping an eye on the medication's expiry date is also crucial. Irrespective of whether it is opened or not, you should never use expired medication.

Once a Wegovy pen is opened (i.e., the seal is broken), its storage needs change:

  • Refrigerate or room temperature: After opening, the pen can either be kept in the fridge as before or it can be stored at room temperature. If at room temperature, it should ideally be kept below 30°C.

  • Use within 30 days: As a rule of thumb, an opened Wegovy pen should be used within 30 days. After 30 days, the composition of the medication may no longer remain as effective as when initially opened.

  • Cap the pen after use: To prevent contamination or damage, always remember to place the cap back on the pen after each use.

Remember, the way Wegovy is stored can affect its performance. For further guidance or queries regarding storage instructions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our skilled Fella Health Care Team. They would be more than happy to ensure that you are properly storing your weight management medication for optimal effectiveness.

how long does wegovy last in the fridge

How Long Wegovy Stays Effective in the Refrigerator

Storing Wegovy Correctly for Optimal Effectiveness

Optimal results of weight loss treatment with Wegovy can only be truly seen if it's stored correctly. Realising this truth helps to ensure you are getting the most out of your medication.

Wegovy comes as a pre-filled injection pen. The punctilious storage of these pens is crucial to maintain the drug's effectiveness over time. Here are the recommended actions to follow after receiving your supply of Wegovy:

  • Refrigerate unopened Wegovy pens: Upon receiving your medication, place it in the refrigerator straight away. The ideal temperature should be between 2°C and 8°C. Wegovy should never make contact with the freezer compartment or cooling elements as inadvertent freezing can denature the active ingredient.

  • Never freeze Wegovy: Freezing the medication is not advisable as it can result in irreversible damage to the active ingredients, effectively making your treatment ineffective. In case of such occurrence, please consult our Fella Health Care Team in the UK for guidance.

  • Shield Wegovy from light: Wegovy is also sensitive to light, especially prolonged exposure. To avoid any damage to your pens, always store them in their original case or keep them in a dark corner of your refrigerator.

  • Check the expiry date: Always stay aware of the medication's expiry date, even if it remains unopened. Use of expired medication is strictly discouraged.

However, the storage guidelines shift once you open a pen:

  • An opened pen can be at room temperature: After opening, you have the option to keep it in the refrigerator as before, or you can opt to store it at standard room condition ensuring it is at a temperature below 30°C.

  • Use within 30 days of opening: Aim to use your opened Wegovy pen within 30 days. Its potency may be compromised if you use it beyond 30 days from initial opening.

  • Always cap your pen after use: To protect it from contamination or damage, ensure the cap is replaced after each usage.

The key takeaway here is that correct storage is crucial to the effectiveness of your Wegovy treatment. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the medication’s storage, our Fella Health Care Team is always here to guide you. They are committed to ensuring you get the maximum benefit from your Wegovy weight management treatment.

What Happens If Wegovy Gets Too Warm or Too Cold

The proper storage of Wegovy is crucial. Both temperature extremes can affect its composition and efficacy, necessitating careful handling and storage.

Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that's instrumental in the effective management of body weight. However, its effectiveness can be compromised if it's exposed to freezing or overly warm temperatures. Let's delve into the consequences of this.

  • Freezing temperatures: If Wegovy gets too cold and freezes, the active ingredients in the medication can be damaged. This damage can make the medication less effective, or completely ineffective, in promoting weight loss. Freezing can also potentially cause the pen to crack or leak, leading to wastage of the medication. Should your Wegovy accidentally freeze, it is important that you don't use it. Instead, reach out to our Fella Health Care Team for advice.

  • Overly warm temperatures: Similarly, if Wegovy is exposed to temperatures above 30°C, the medication can deteriorate, rendering it less effective for weight management. Heat can negatively impact the active ingredients in the medication, potentially compromising efficacy. It's recommended to seek advice from our team if your medication has been exposed to such high temperatures.

Let's recap the proper storage instructions for your Wegovy pens:

  • Unopened Wegovy pens should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C. Make sure to keep them away from the freezer compartment or any cooling element to prevent accidental freezing.

  • Opened Wegovy pens can either be kept in the fridge as before or stored at room temperature not exceeding 30°C. They should be used within 30 days to ensure effectiveness.

  • Always put the cap back on the pen after each use to keep it secure and sterile.

In conclusion, the effectiveness of your Wegovy for weight management can be significantly impacted by improper storage. If you have any concerns about the storage of your Wegovy, don't hesitate to consult with our Fella Health Care Team for advice and guidance to ensure the optimal effectiveness of your medication.

How to Tell If Wegovy Has Gone Bad

Initiating a weight loss programme with a medication such as Wegovy takes commitment, and part of that commitment includes ensuring that your medication remains safe to use. So, how can you tell if your Wegovy has gone bad? Here's what you need to know.

It's actually fairly simple to tell if your Wegovy has gone off. There are two key ways to identify this - changes in colour and consistency, or damage to the packaging. Wegovy should ideally be clear and colourless, similar to water. If you notice cloudiness, colour change or particles, or if the injection pen appears damaged or leaking, these could all be signs that the medicine may not be in optimal condition.

Additionally, use the following practical tips for determining if your medication has gone bad:

  • Look at the expiration date: Like all medications, Wegovy has an expiration date which should be adhered to. Medication which is used after its expiry date may not be as effective and could potentially lead to health complications.

  • Assess refrigeration conditions: Wegovy should be refrigerated at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C before opening and up to 30°C after opening. If the temperature conditions have not been consistently maintained, the medication might have altered in efficacy.

  • Observe the medication: In the clear liquid form, Wagovy medication should be colourless and free from particles. If the medication turns cloudy, discoloured, or particles can be seen floating or settling down, it could be a sign that the medicine has gone bad.

If any of these signs are observed, do not use the medication. Contact your doctor or our Fella Health Care Team for further advice. Importantly, this information is not a substitute for the guidance of a healthcare professional. Always refer to your healthcare provider or our Fella Health Care Team for the most accurate instructions regarding medication usage and storage.

Bad medicines can cause harm to your body and affect the overall impact of the weight management plan. Hence, it's crucial to store your Wegovy medication correctly following the guidelines mentioned and regularly inspect your supply for any signs of damage or degradation.

Best Practices for Handling and Storing Wegovy at Home

Managing your weight with Wegovy at home involves more than just taking injectable treatments; proper storage and handling are also paramount to its efficacy. Let's delve into the best practices that should be considered when handling and storing Wegovy at home.

Store in the fridge: Wegovy should be refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C until the expiration date stated on the package. Remember to keep the pens away from the freezer or cooling element as accidental freezing can damage the medication.

Avoid exposure to light and extreme temperatures: The medication should also be shielded from direct light. Hence, it’s best kept in the original carton when storing. Furthermore, the solution should never reach a temperature above 30°C. Therefore, avoid leaving your Wegovy in places with extreme temperature like sunny windowsills or inside a warm car.

Dispose safely: Syringes and pen needles should be promptly and properly disposed of in a sharp bin or similar puncture-proof container to avoid potential injury.

After starting a new pen, storage requirements change:

Opened pens can be at room temperature: An opened Wegovy pen can be kept at standard ambient temperature as long as the heat remains lower than 30°C.

Use within 30 days: The pen should be used within 30 days once opened, irrespective of whether it’s kept in the fridge or at room temperature.

Always replace the pen cap: After each use, the cap should always be replaced to prevent contamination and maintain sterility.

Never freeze Wegovy: Both before and after opening, Wegovy should never be frozen. If it accidentally becomes frozen, it should not be used. Instead, consult with our Fella Health Care Team.

Lastly, it is essential to remind you to adhere to the expiration date of the medication. Expiration strongly determines the efficacy, so it's best to always stay aware of this detail. If you have any concerns or queries regarding the medication’s storage, remember that assistance is readily available from our Fella Health Care Team. They can offer support to ensure you get all the benefits expected from your Wegovy weight management treatment.

Scientific References

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long can unopened Wegovy be stored in the fridge?

Unopened Wegovy can be stored in the fridge at a temperature between 2°C and 8°C until the expiration date printed on the package. It's essential to ensure it does not freeze. Therefore keep it away from the freezer compartment or cooling elements.

Does Wegovy need refrigeration after opening?

After opening, Wegovy can be stored in the fridge or at room temperature providing it does not exceed 30°C. However, once opened, it should be used within 30 days, regardless if it's kept in the fridge or at room temperature.

What happens if Wegovy is not refrigerated?

Wegovy can be stored at room temperature (below 30°C) after it has been opened, but if it's not refrigerated when unopened or exposed to temperatures higher than recommended, it can compromise effectiveness.

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