Traveling with prescription medications like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) can require careful planning and adherence to storage guidelines to ensure their effectiveness.
Pre-Travel Preparations
- Speak with a Health Coach: Before your trip you may want to speak with your Health Coach. They can offer tailored advice to help ensure you stay on track whilst you are away. In addition you may need to take a proof of prescription. This letter can be useful for customs and security checks if you are taking your medication with you and can be requested from your Health Coach or from Customer Services.
- Medication Supply: Ensure you have enough medication for the entire duration of your trip.
- Storage Solutions: Invest in an insulated travel case to maintain the medication’s required temperature. Thermal bags are recommended for short durations, while high-quality travel coolers can be used for longer trips.
- Travel cases are easy to find as you can use insulated cases for insulin as they are a similar size. These can be found on Amazon and also medical storage suppliers like Medpac.co.uk.
Storage Guidelines for Mounjaro and Wegovy
The pens should ideally be stored in a refrigerator at temperatures between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). However, there are specific guidelines for when refrigeration isn’t possible:
- Room Temperature Storage:
- Mounjaro can be kept at room temperature (up to 86°F or 30°C) for up to 30 days. If the pen or vial reaches room temperature by accident, this 30-day period still applies, even if it is returned to the fridge afterward.
- Wegovy can be kept at room temperature (up to 86°F or 30°C) for up to 28 days. If the pen or vial reaches room temperature by accident, this 28-day period still applies, even if it is returned to the fridge afterward.
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Extreme temperatures can damage the medication. Do not expose the pens to temperatures above 86°F (30°C). If exposed to such conditions, they should not be used.
- Protect from Light: Always keep Mounjaro and Wegovy pens in their original cartons to shield them from light.
- Store carefully: Do not store with needle attached, to prevent leaking, blocking the needle and air entering the pen. Store with the pen cap attached.
Travel Tips
- Carry-On Luggage: Both Mounjaro and Wegovy should be stored in your carry-on luggage rather than checked bags to avoid extreme temperature changes. Ensure they are in a thermal or insulated case and not in direct contact with ice packs, which could cause freezing which can damage the medication.
- UK regulations: When flying out of a UK airport, you should not need to provide proof that the medication is prescribed to you as the vials for both are under 100ml each and not on the controlled drug list. However, clearly label your medication and keep it in its original packaging with the prescription label. Further information can be found on the UK Government site.
- It might be of note that cooling gel packs are allowed in hand luggage but you may need to contact the airport for further advice if using ice packs in hand luggage.
- International Travel: Check the medication regulations of the country you are visiting. Some countries may limit the amount of medication and also what you can bring. It’s advisable to consult with the embassy of your destination country well in advance.
- Handling Missed Doses:
- Wegovy requires weekly injections on the same day each week. If you miss a dose and your next dose is more than 48 hours away, inject the missed dose as soon as possible. If it’s less than 48 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
- Mounjaro requires weekly injections on the same day each week. If you miss a dose and it has been 4 days or less since your dose was due, you must inject as soon as possible. Then you can continue your next dose as usual on your scheduled day. If it has been more than 4 days since your dose was due, you can skip the missed dose. Then inject your next dose as usual on your scheduled day.
By following these guidelines, you can travel confidently with Mounjaro and Wegovy, ensuring your medication remains effective and your health management stays on track. Safe travels!
Sources:
https://www.gov.uk
https://medical.lilly.com/uk/products
https://www.healthline.com
