What temperature should Wegovy be stored at — and what happens if that changes?

You open the fridge and realise the pen has been sitting on the worktop since last night

It happens. A new pen arrives, you're in a hurry, and it ends up next to the kettle rather than on the fridge shelf. The first thing to check is how long it has been out and what the ambient temperature was, because the answer to whether the pen is still usable depends on both. Wegovy's approved storage conditions are 2°C to 8°C in the refrigerator. Outside that band, the semaglutide molecule can degrade, and a degraded pen will not behave as the clinical trials showed it should.

Room-temperature storage is permitted, but only for a defined period and only below a specific temperature ceiling, and because those figures are confirmed in the SmPC for your exact presentation, the Patient Information Leaflet that came with your pen is the right place to look, not a forum or a general article. If you're weighing up whether Wegovy can be stored at room temperature and what conditions apply, the leaflet will give you the figures for your exact presentation. If your pen has been out for longer than permitted, or has been in a hot car or a warm room in summer, the sensible course is to contact your prescriber before using it. Don't guess.

One practical detail worth knowing: the fridge shelf directly below the freezer compartment is often colder than the rest of the cabinet. Pens stored there can partially freeze without you realising. A frozen Wegovy pen (even one that looks fine after thawing) must not be used. Discard it and contact your pharmacy. You can find more detail on why fridge storage matters and how to organise it if you want a fuller guide to the refrigeration rules.

Travelling with Wegovy: what actually keeps the pen safe on the move

Travel is where storage questions get practical fast. Whether it's a weekend away or a fortnight abroad, your pen needs to stay cold, but not frozen. A small insulated travel case with a gel ice pack is the standard approach. Avoid placing the pen directly against the ice pack; wrap the pen in a cloth or use a case designed for injectable medicines so the temperature around it stays within range rather than dropping below zero.

On flights, keep your Wegovy in your carry-on bag, not in the hold. Aircraft hold temperatures can fall well below freezing. You're allowed to bring injectable medicines through UK airport security with a letter from your prescriber, so ask for one before you travel. In the cabin, overhead lockers are usually fine. If you are taking a longer trip and staying somewhere without reliable refrigeration (a camping trip, say, or a remote destination) plan ahead. You will need either a quality cooling solution or a conversation with your prescriber about timing your doses around your travel dates.

Returning to everyday life: at home, the pen lives in the fridge between doses. Some people find it helpful to keep it in the door, though the door can be slightly warmer than the main shelf, and if you want a clear answer on what temperature Wegovy should be stored at, checking where your fridge holds the steadiest 2–8°C with a fridge thermometer removes any uncertainty. Details on how Wegovy should be stored day to day covers the practicalities in more depth if you're setting up a routine for the first time.

Checking whether a pen is still good to use

The liquid in a Wegovy pen should be clear and colourless, or very slightly yellow. If it looks cloudy, discoloured, or contains visible particles, do not inject it, contact your pharmacy. This visual check takes seconds and matters every time you use a new pen.

Temperature damage is not always visible, and if you're unsure after a pen has been left out, our guide on what temp to store Wegovy at and how to tell if that's been compromised walks through the key considerations. That's why the time-and-temperature records matter rather than the appearance alone. If you're ever unsure, the safe choice is always to check before injecting rather than after.

Sharps disposal is the other practical consideration once a pen is finished or has to be discarded. Used pens and needles go into a sharps container, not the household bin. Your local council or GP surgery can advise on collection points in your area.

If you have questions about storage that go beyond what the leaflet covers (whether because of a specific situation, a long trip, or a concern about a pen you've already used) the team at our patient support line is available seven days a week. For a broader look at how semaglutide compares to other weight-loss treatment options, that's a conversation worth having with a prescriber before you start. And if you're considering starting Wegovy or switching providers, you're welcome to speak to our prescribers through a free consultation.