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How to store Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound: what the US labels say

Fridge or counter? How many days out is too many? The US prescribing information for each GLP-1 medicine answers these questions, and the answers differ by drug and by pen type. Here they are side by side.

Illustration of a refrigerator with a small box on a shelf.
The short version
  • Every injectable GLP-1 label says to store new pens in the fridge at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C), never frozen. Out of the fridge, Zepbound and Mounjaro single-dose pens last up to 21 days, and in-use Ozempic pens 56 days.1–4
  • The Wegovy pill and Rybelsus (Ozempic tablets) are stored at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F, in the original bottle to keep out moisture.2,5
  • All the labels say not to use a pen that has been frozen. If a pen was left somewhere hot or out too long, ask a pharmacist before you use it.

Storage rules for each GLP-1, side by side

This table comes from the storage and handling section (section 16.2) of each US label, plus its Medication Guide and Instructions for Use. "Room temperature" means the label's own range. These are the labels' instructions, not personal advice.

Medicine and formBefore first useOut of the fridgeAfter first use
Ozempic pen (multi-dose)Fridge 36–46°F until the expiration dateLabel gives no room-temperature time before first use56 days at 59–86°F or in the fridge
Ozempic single-dose syringeFridge 36–46°FUp to 28 days at 46–86°FSingle use; throw away
Wegovy single-dose pen or syringeFridge 36–46°FUp to 28 days at 46–86°F, in the carton, cap onSingle use; throw away
Wegovy FlexTouch pen (multi-dose)Fridge 36–46°FSee after first use56 days at 59–86°F or in the fridge
Zepbound or Mounjaro single-dose pen or vialFridge 36–46°FUp to 21 days in total, at up to 86°FSingle use; throw away
Zepbound or Mounjaro KwikPen or multi-dose vialFridge 36–46°F until the expiration dateUnopened: throw away after 30 days at up to 86°FFridge or up to 86°F; throw away after 30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use, or 4 weekly doses
Wegovy tablets68–77°F, short excursions to 59–86°F allowed; original bottle, dry place
Rybelsus / Ozempic tablets68–77°F, short excursions to 59–86°F allowed; original bottle, dry place
Sources: US prescribing information for Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro and Rybelsus/Ozempic tablets, DailyMed, read November 6, 2026.1–5 All injectables: do not freeze, do not use if frozen, keep in the carton or with the cap on to protect from light.
Illustration of a travel bag beside a suitcase.

How to store Ozempic and Wegovy pens

The semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) labels say to keep new pens in the refrigerator, but not in the freezer and not directly next to the cooling element.1,2

  • Ozempic pen after first use. The label says the pen "can be stored for 56 days" at 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C) or in the fridge. It says to keep the cap on, protect the pen from excessive heat and sunlight, and remove the needle after each injection.1
  • Wegovy single-dose pen. If needed, before the cap comes off, the label allows up to 28 days at 46°F to 86°F (8°C to 30°C) in the original carton. Its Medication Guide says to throw the pen away if it has been frozen, exposed to light or to temperatures above 86°F, or out of the fridge for 28 days or longer.2
  • Wegovy FlexTouch (multi-dose) pen. Section 16.2 of the label allows 56 days after first use at 59°F to 86°F or in the fridge. The pen's Instructions for Use gives a narrower room range, 68°F to 77°F. If your pen has been near either edge, a pharmacist can tell you which applies.2

How long can Zepbound be out of the fridge?

21 daystotal time a Zepbound or Mounjaro single-dose pen or vial may be kept unrefrigerated, up to 86°F
30 dayslimit for a KwikPen or multi-dose vial at room temperature or after first use, or 4 weekly doses

The tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) labels say a single-dose pen or vial "can be stored unrefrigerated at temperatures not to exceed 30°C (86°F) for up to a total of 21 days," and should be thrown away after that.3,4 "A total" means the days add up if the pen goes in and out of the fridge.

The multi-dose KwikPen and multi-dose vial work differently. Once opened, they can stay in the fridge or at room temperature up to 86°F. The label says to throw them away after 30 days at room temperature, 30 days after first use, or after 4 weekly doses, "even if there is medicine left in it."3,4

The Instructions for Use also say it is not necessary to warm a Zepbound or Mounjaro pen to room temperature before injecting.3,4 For injection technique, see where to inject Ozempic, Wegovy or Zepbound.

How to store the Wegovy pill and Rybelsus

Oral semaglutide is not refrigerated. Both the Wegovy tablet label and the Rybelsus / Ozempic tablets label say to store the tablets at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), with excursions from 59°F to 86°F permitted. They say to keep the tablets in the original bottle until use to protect them from moisture, and to store them in a dry place.2,5 More on the pill: oral semaglutide for weight loss.

What if a pen freezes or is left out?

  • Frozen. All four injectable labels say not to use the medicine if it has been frozen. The Zepbound and Mounjaro pen instructions say to throw a frozen pen away and use a new one.1–4
  • Too hot. The Wegovy Medication Guide says to throw the pen away if it has been exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C).2 The tirzepatide labels say to protect the medicine from heat and light.3,4
  • Out longer than allowed. Each label sets a day limit (21, 28, 30 or 56 days, depending on the product). Writing the date on the carton when a pen first leaves the fridge makes the limit easier to track; the Wegovy and Ozempic syringe instructions ask you to record that date.1,2

If you are not sure whether a pen is still usable, ask your pharmacist before injecting it. Do not guess. If a dose ends up skipped because a pen had to be replaced, see what to do after a missed GLP-1 dose.

Traveling with Ozempic, Wegovy or Zepbound

The labels do not mention travel, but their temperature limits still apply on the road. A pen that is allowed room-temperature storage, such as an in-use Ozempic pen or a Zepbound pen within its 21 days, needs to stay at or below 86°F. No pen should be allowed to freeze.1–4 Keeping pens in your carry-on rather than checked luggage keeps them with you, so you can control their temperature and they are not lost. Cars in summer and checked bags can get hotter or colder than these limits.

In the US, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a page on flying with liquid medications, with rules for screening and for cooling packs. Check it before you fly, along with the rules of your airline and of any country you are visiting.

This article summarizes the storage sections of the US labels. It is not personal advice. Labels in other countries can differ. If a pen was frozen, overheated or left out longer than its label allows, ask your pharmacist whether to use it or replace it.

Common questions

How do you store an Ozempic pen after first use?

The US Ozempic label says that after first use, the multi-dose pen can be kept for 56 days at room temperature, 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C), or in a refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). It says to keep the cap on, protect the pen from excessive heat and sunlight, and store it without a needle attached.

How long can Zepbound be out of the fridge?

The US Zepbound label says a single-dose pen or single-dose vial can be kept unrefrigerated, up to 86°F (30°C), for a total of 21 days. Unopened multi-dose vials and KwikPens kept at room temperature should be thrown away after 30 days.

What if my Ozempic pen was left out of the fridge?

The US Ozempic label says a new, unused pen belongs in the refrigerator, and an in-use pen can be kept at 59°F to 86°F for up to 56 days. The label says not to use Ozempic if it has been frozen. If a pen got very hot, very cold or was left out longer than the label allows, ask your pharmacist before using it.

How should you store the Wegovy pill?

The US Wegovy label says to store Wegovy tablets at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), with short excursions from 59°F to 86°F allowed. It says to keep the tablets in the original bottle until use to protect them from moisture.

Can you travel with an Ozempic or Zepbound pen?

The US labels do not mention travel, but their temperature limits still apply: for example, up to 86°F for 21 days for a Zepbound single-dose pen and up to 86°F for 56 days for an in-use Ozempic pen, and never frozen. Keeping pens in your carry-on rather than checked luggage helps you control their temperature.

Sources

  1. US prescribing information: OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection. DailyMed, version effective June 2026. Section 16.2, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use. Read November 6, 2026.
  2. US prescribing information: WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets. DailyMed, version effective June 2026. Section 16, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use. Read November 6, 2026.
  3. US prescribing information: ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection. DailyMed, version effective August 2026. Section 16.2, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use. Read November 6, 2026.
  4. US prescribing information: MOUNJARO (tirzepatide) injection. DailyMed, version effective August 2026. Section 16.2, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use. Read November 6, 2026.
  5. US prescribing information: RYBELSUS and OZEMPIC (semaglutide) tablets. DailyMed, version effective January 2026. Section 16.2 and Medication Guide. Read November 6, 2026.
This article summarises published research for general information. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from your own care team. Never change a medication or dose without talking to your prescriber.