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Does Wegovy Need To Be Refrigerated? Guide To All Your Storage Questions
Does Wegovy Need To Be Refrigerated? Guide To All Your Storage Questions
10 November 2026
How you store Wegovy® depends on whether you have the pen or the tablets, and whether your pen is new or already in use. This guide covers how to store your treatment, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Article summary
- Keep new Wegovy pens in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C. Once you've used a pen, you can keep it in the fridge or below 30°C for up to 6 weeks.
- Wegovy tablets don't need to go in the fridge. Keep them at room temperature in their original packaging to protect them from light and moisture.
- Never use Wegovy that's been frozen or is past its expiry date. If you're not sure whether your medicine is safe to use, our Clinical team can help.
How to store Wegovy
Wegovy is available in two different formats: a weekly injection pen and a daily tablet. Each one needs to be stored in a different way. Here's a quick guide:
- New pens you haven't used yet: keep them in the fridge, between 2°C and 8°C. [2]
- Pens you've started using: keep them in the fridge or at room temperature for up to 6 weeks. [2]
- Tablets: keep them at room temperature in their original packaging. [3]
Wegovy Pen storage
Most people use the Wegovy FlexTouch pen, in doses 0.25mg-2.4mg. You use the same pen for 4 weekly doses, and it comes with 4 needles so you can use a new one each time. [2]
Storing your pen for the first time:
- Store it in the fridge, between 2°C and 8°C. [2]
- Never freeze it. If parts of your fridge are prone to freezing (usually at the back or near the cooling element) keep your pens away from this area. [2]
- Keep the cap on to protect the medicine from light. [2]
Once you've started using your pen:
- You can keep it for up to 6 weeks, either in the fridge or at room temperature. [2]
- Put the cap back on after every injection to protect the medicine from light. [2]
- Take the needle off after each injection. Never store your pen with a needle attached. [2]
It's a good idea to write down the date you first use each pen. That way, you'll know when your 6 weeks are up.
If you use the Wegovy 7.2mg pen
The Wegovy 7.2mg pen works differently. It's a single-use pen with a built-in needle, so each pen gives you one dose and then you throw it away. [4] Keep it in the fridge in its original carton until you need it. If you need to, you can keep it out of the fridge for up to 28 days, as long as it stays at 30°C or below. If it's been out of the fridge for more than 28 days, you'll need to throw it away. [5]
Wegovy Pill storage
The Wegovy pill is simpler to store. It doesn't need to go in the fridge, and it doesn't need any special temperature regulation. [3]
- Keep your tablets in their original pack. This protects them from light and moisture. [3]
- Your tablets come in blister packs. [3] Only press a tablet out when you're ready to take it. This means it's best not to move them into a pill organiser.
- Keep them out of the sight and reach of children. [3]
Wegovy shelf life
Every Wegovy pen and pack has an expiry date printed after the letters "EXP". For pens, you'll find it on the pen label and the box. For tablets, it's on the blister pack and the box. [2, 3] The expiry date means the last day of that month. [3]
Never use Wegovy after its expiry date, even if you've stored it correctly.
A new pen that's been kept in the fridge lasts until its expiry date. Once you start using a pen, a different time limit applies.
How long does Wegovy last after opening?
Once you've injected your first dose from a Wegovy FlexTouch pen, you can use it for up to 6 weeks (42 days), as long as it doesn’t pass its expiry date during that time. [2]
Does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?
Wegovy pens need to be kept in the fridge until you start using them. [1]
- Temperature: store new pens in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C. [2]
- Freezing: never freeze Wegovy. If a pen has been frozen, don't use it. [2]
Wegovy tablets don't need to go in the fridge. [3]
How long does Wegovy last in the fridge?
A new, unused pen kept in the fridge lasts until the expiry date on the label. [2]
How long can Wegovy be out of the fridge?
This depends on which pen you have and whether you've started using it.
- FlexTouch pen you've started using: up to 6 weeks, as long as it stays below 30°C. [2]
- FlexTouch pen you haven't used yet: keep new pens in the fridge until you start using them. [2]
- Wegovy 7.2mg pen: up to 28 days, as long as it stays at 30°C or below. [5]
What should I do if I forget to refrigerate Wegovy?
Accidents happen, and they don’t always mean you need to throw your pen away. What you should do depends on your pen and the temperature it's been kept at.
- If you've already started using the pen and the room has stayed below 30°C, you can keep using it until 6 weeks after your first dose. [2]
- If it's a new pen you haven't used yet, put it back in the fridge and contact our Clinical team before you use it.
- If the pen has been somewhere hotter than 30°C, or it's frozen, don't use it. [2,4]
You'll find more examples in the table further down this page.
Can I return Wegovy back to the fridge?
Yes, if it's a FlexTouch pen you've started using. You can keep it either in the fridge or below 30°C during your 6 weeks. [2] Moving it back into the fridge won't give you extra time, though. You still need to stop using it 6 weeks after your first dose.
If you're not sure whether a pen is still safe to use after being out of the fridge, contact our Clinical team before you use it.
Travelling with Wegovy
You can travel with Wegovy. It just takes a bit of planning to make sure your medicine stays at the right temperature. Here’s our advice.
- Pack enough doses for your whole trip. This helps you avoid missing a dose while you're away.
- Check the temperature where you're going. A pen you're using can be kept below 30°C for up to 6 weeks. [2] If it's likely to get hotter than that, you'll need a fridge. New pens you haven't used yet always need a fridge. [2] It's worth checking with your accommodation before you go.
- Use a cool bag on the way. This helps keep your pens at the right temperature. Don't let your pen touch an ice pack directly, as Wegovy must never freeze. [2]
- Tablets are easier to travel with. They don't need a fridge. Just keep them in their original pack. [3]
- Carry your prescription or a letter from your doctor. Some countries have their own rules about bringing medicines in, so check with the embassy of the country you're visiting before you travel.
Can I take Wegovy on a plane?
Yes. UK airport rules let you carry essential medicines and medical equipment in your hand luggage. [6] Be sure to check the rules in the country you’re returning from before you travel, and keep the prescription label attached to your medication.
Also remember to keep your Wegovy in your hand luggage, as temperatures in the hold could reach below freezing.
Storage requirements
Here's a summary of how to store each type of Wegovy.
| Before first use | Once you've started using it | Never | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy FlexTouch pen | Fridge, 2°C to 8°C, away from the cooling element [2] | Fridge or below 30°C, for up to 6 weeks [2] | Freeze it, store it with a needle attached or use it after the expiry date [2] |
| Wegovy 7.2mg pen | Fridge, 2°C to 8°C, in its original carton. Can be kept out of the fridge for up to 28 days at 30°C or below [5] | Single use. Throw it away after your dose [4] | Freeze it or use it after the expiry date [5] |
| Wegovy tablets | Original pack, no special temperature [3] | Original pack, no special temperature [3] | Use them after the expiry date [3] |
What do I do if Wegovy is stored incorrectly?
What you should do depends on what's happened. Here are some common situations.
| Scenario | What you should do |
|---|---|
| You've left a new FlexTouch pen you haven't used yet out of the fridge overnight. | Put it back in the fridge and contact our Clinical team before you use it. |
| You've left a FlexTouch pen you've started using out of the fridge overnight. | If the room was below 30°C, you can keep using it until 6 weeks after your first dose. [2] You can leave it at room temperature or put it back in the fridge. |
| Your pen has been somewhere hotter than 30°C, such as a hot car or during a heatwave. | Don't use it, even if the medicine looks clear. [2,4] Contact our Clinical team for advice. |
| You've been using a pen for less than 6 weeks, but it's now past its expiry date. | Don't use it. Never use a Wegovy pen after its expiry date, whether you've opened it or not. [2] |
| Your pen has frozen. | Don't use it, even if you haven't opened it yet. [2] Ask a pharmacist how to get rid of it safely. |
| Your Wegovy 7.2mg pen has been out of the fridge for more than 28 days. | Don't use it. Throw it away. [5] |
If you're unsure whether your Wegovy is still safe to use, you don't have to work it out alone. Our Clinical team is here to help you check what's safe and what to do next.
References
- NHS. Semaglutide [Internet]. London: NHS; 2026 [reviewed 2026 May 15; cited 2026 Oct 29]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/semaglutide/
- Novo Nordisk Limited. Wegovy FlexTouch 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen: package leaflet: information for the user [Internet]. Electronic medicines compendium (emc); 2026 [revised 2026 Aug; cited 2026 Oct 29]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13803/pil
- Novo Nordisk Limited. Wegovy 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg tablets: package leaflet: information for the user [Internet]. Electronic medicines compendium (emc); 2026 [revised 2026 Jun; cited 2026 Oct 29]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/102344/pil
- Novo Nordisk Limited. Wegovy 7.2 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen: package leaflet: information for the user [Internet]. Electronic medicines compendium (emc); 2026 [revised 2026 Aug; cited 2026 Oct 29]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/102093/pil
- Novo Nordisk Limited. Wegovy 7.2 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen: summary of product characteristics [Internet]. Electronic medicines compendium (emc); 2026 [updated 2026 Oct 1; cited 2026 Oct 29]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/102093/smpc
- GOV.UK. Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports: essential medicines and medical equipment [Internet]. London: GOV.UK; 2026 [updated 2026 Oct 20; cited 2026 Oct 29]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/essential-medicines-and-medical-equipment
Next scheduled review date: 10 November 2029
Authors
Written by: Dr. Zoë Lees (PhD)
Dr. Zoë Lees is a medical writer at MedExpress specialising in obesity and health communication. She completed her PhD at the University of Glasgow, where she investigated adipose tissue (fat tissue) function in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Her work focuses on translating complex clinical evidence into clear, engaging and evidence-based health information for patients and the public. At MedExpress, Zoë contributes to clinical content, educational resources and media communications across areas including weight management, GLP-1 therapies and metabolic disease. Zoë is particularly interested in improving public understanding of obesity as a chronic condition and ensuring patients have access to accurate, accessible health information grounded in current scientific evidence.
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Sophie Dix (BSc, PhD)
Dr. Sophie Dix is Head of Medical Affairs at MedExpress. A behavioural neuroscientist by training, Sophie has spent 30 years working at the intersection of medical research, pharmacology, technology and patient communication across the pharmaceutical industry, health technology and charity sectors. At MedExpress, Sophie's role is to ensure that everything the organisation does is grounded in the most current science. That means translating complex clinical evidence into accessible health information across the website, clinical pathways and media communications. It also means working with external press and broadcast media as a named expert commentator, making the science behind weight management and GLP-1 treatments understandable to a general audience. A core part of Sophie's work is building MedExpress's Real-World Evidence (RWE) programme: learning systematically from patient outcomes to understand what works in practice, not just in clinical trials. This patient-level insight feeds directly into improving patient experience and health outcomes. Sophie believes that patients make better decisions when they have access to accurate, evidence-based information. As an advocate for meaningful change in how obesity is understood, Sophie works to reduce stigma and raise awareness of the condition as an illness. This includes reframing the conversation around GLP-1s from aesthetics to public health, while highlighting the health benefits of weight loss and weight management.
Note from the experts
Remember: This blog shouldn’t be regarded as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We make sure everything we publish is fact checked by clinical experts and regularly reviewed, but it may not always reflect the most recent health guidelines. Always speak to your doctor about any health concerns you have.
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