How to Travel with GLP-1 Weight Loss Injections

Key Takeaways

• GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro must be taken consistently once a week and stored correctly to remain safe and effective.

• Medications should be kept in an insulated cool bag and carried in your hand luggage, not checked baggage where temperatures can drop below freezing.

• Documentation such as a prescription label or doctor’s letter is essential, as some airports and destination countries require proof the medication is yours.

• Unopened pens must stay refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C; opened pens can be stored below 30°C for their in-use period (Mounjaro 30 days, Wegovy 6 weeks).

• If your medication freezes or is exposed to temperatures above 30°C, it should not be used and must be discarded safely.

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) receptor agonists are a type of weight loss treatments which serve as an effective tool for weight management and weight loss when used alongside healthy lifestyle adjustments. Commonly used medicines are Wegovy or Mounjaro, which is a GLP-1 and a GIP medication.

These are administered as a once weekly injection consistently without any gaps or breaks in treatment. Additionally, they must be kept cool for stability. For these reasons, when travelling with the treatment there is specific advice that must be adhered to.

Understanding GLP-1 Weight Loss Injections

GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 which is released after eating, signalling to the body it is full. By mimicking this, the medication can reduce hunger cues and delay gastric emptying and in doing so, reduce calorie intake leading to weight loss.

The most common forms available in the UK are Wegovy and Mounjaro. Whilst both of these activate the GLP-1 pathway, Mounjaro additionally activates the GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) pathway - helping to regulate blood sugars more effectively.

The dosage of these treatments are carefully monitored and may require adjustment as soon as every 4 weeks. All patients start at the lowest, initiation dose and work up the dose schedule until they reach a dose that is effective for them.

To ensure you are getting the most out of your treatment, the medicine should be used every week consistently. Gaps in treatment may affect how well your body continues to respond to the treatment and a significant break may mean you will need reassessment at the lower dose again.

Why Special Care is Needed When Travelling with GLP-1 Medications

When travelling with the medicine, special care is needed to facilitate the consistent use of the treatment. Additionally, it is important the medication is stored appropriately whilst you are away.

Manufacturers of both Mounjaro and Wegovy recommend to store the medication in a fridge, particularly before opening. After first use, the medicine may be kept below 30°C but ideally still in a fridge. As a temperature controlled environment, a fridge is less likely to be subjected to temperature fluctuations compared to a medicine cabinet.

Since these are both regular medication with specific storage needs, you will need to take it with you when travelling. Ensuring it is stored correctly both in transit and throughout your trip can ensure your treatment remains safe.

Improper storage can reduce the stability of the medicine, which may affect its effectiveness and your safety.

Preparing for Your Trip: Key Considerations

If you're taking GLP-1 medications and thinking about travelling, we've broken down some essential tips to think about.

Speak to Your Healthcare Provider Before Travelling

It's best to mention to your provider that you're going to be travelling. This can be factored into your dosage planning. Additionally, they can provide tailored advice on dose timings, taking into consideration the change in time zones at your destination.

Your healthcare provider can also help provide confirmation of your treatment. As a prescribed medication, it may be a requirement to bring documentation evidencing the medication is rightfully yours in line with local guidelines at your destination.

When travelling abroad, airport personnel may also ask for this evidence to allow you to carry the medication.

How Much Medication Should You Bring?

You should carry enough medication to cover the full length of your trip, with a small extra allowance in case of unexpected delays such as lost luggage or a late return home.

However, it’s important not to take more than necessary. Bringing excessive quantities increases the risk of loss or wastage if the medication is not stored correctly, and may also cause issues at airport security or with local regulations at your destination.

Essential Documentation to Carry

As a prescription only medication, you will need to carry documentation to evidence the treatment is rightfully yours. Guidelines issued by the UK government health agency (MHRA) stipulate all prescribed medication must have a prescription label issued by the pharmacy. This may suffice but additionally, your provider can supply a medical certificate confirming the prescription.

At Quick Meds, we provide a notification of treatment letter essentially confirming our prescribers have assessed your health and prescribed the treatment accordingly. In the case of international travel, we would advise checking with the regulations at your destination and your carrier for specific requirements.

Travelling with the medication in its original packaging, complete with the patient information leaflet is also a good idea should you need to refer to general guidance or need further information concerning the medication.

Packing Your GLP-1 Injections Safely

As a refrigerated product, your injection will need to be packed in such a way to maintain the temperature controlled environment.

The injection should be in its original labelled box which is placed in an insulated bag alongside cooling packs. Avoid direct contact of the medication with the cool packs to prevent freezing. Packing the medication in this way keeps the medicine safe from external temperature fluctuations whilst in transit.

As each dose requires a new needle, you should pack enough needles for the number of doses you have. Each GLP-1 pen contains four doses so four needles should suffice. However, we always recommend to keep a few spare in case of a faulty needle.

Finally, a sharps bin is recommended to ensure safe disposal of used needles.

Should You Pack GLP-1 Injections in Carry-On or Checked Luggage?

Your injection should be packaged in your hand luggage/carry on bag and not in your checked bags. the temperature in the baggage hold of an aeroplane can drop to below freezing and once frozen, the medication cannot be defrosted and used.

To ensure a safe transition, when carrying medications in your hand luggage, you should also carry the confirmation of treatment letter to evidence the medication is prescribed for you.

Importantly, the needles you have should generally be placed in your checked baggage and not your hand luggage. Most airlines have a no sharps policy.

How to Store Your GLP-1 Medications During Travel

During travel, keep the medication in its cool bag/ insulated bag to maintain the right temperature. Avoid letting the pen come into direct contact with the ice packs to prevent it from freezing.

Managing Temperature Control Effectively

Weight loss pens should be refrigerated between 2°C to 8°C when unopened. Once opened, Mounjaro can remain at room temperature (under 30°C) for up to 30 days and Wegovy for up to six weeks.

If travelling to a warm destination, you may store the open pens in a cupboard so long as the temperature does not exceed 30°C but ideally kept in a refrigerator. If travelling to a cooler destination, again, ensure you store the pens in such a way that the medication does not freeze.

Navigating Airport Security with GLP-1 Injections

Do You Need to Declare Your Medications?

Most medicines do not require declaration, but certain medications, including your weight loss treatment may need to be declared at security. This is based on UK government guidelines at UK airports.

Declaring the medication on arrival depends on the regulations in your destination country. The European medicines agency governs laws pertaining to medicines in Europe which may vary from UK laws. Always ensure you check the regulations for your destination.

Dealing with Security Screenings Smoothly

Keep your medications easily accessible in your carry on luggage for inspection and be ready to show your documentation, including the doctors note or proof of prescription. Keeping the medication in its original packaging can also help for a smooth transition as this package will be labelled in your name.

Managing Your Dosing Schedule While Travelling

How to Adjust for Time Zones Without Missing a Dose

It's important to be consistent with your medication to get the best results, and this means taking it at roughly the same time every week or day.

If you're travelling somewhere that's a similar time zone, it's easy enough to take your weight loss pen at the same time as you do at home by calculating the difference and taking at your usual UK time.

This can be more challenging if there's a bigger difference, but this is still possible. If you plan to be at your new destination for a long time, you may choose to adjust your dose time. Make sure that you don't take two doses too close together if you do this - check the patient information leaflet or speak to a healthcare professional for more information.

How to Handle a Missed or Delayed Dose

If you have missed a dose, you should take a dose as soon as you remember as long as it has been less than 4 days since your missed dose. If you are more than 4 days late, you should skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled.

Storing GLP-1 Injections at Your Destination

GLP-1 medications must be stored correctly to remain effective. They must be stored at the right temperature and away from direct sunlight.

Ensure you have made the right arrangements at your destination, by requesting a room with a fridge if staying in a hotel.

How to Keep Your Medication Safe Upon Arrival

Keep your weight loss pen in a fridge but importantly check the fridge to ensure it is not too hot or cold. Ensure to keep the medication away from the cooling element and from light.

What If Your Medication Was Exposed to Extreme Temperatures?

If you think your injection has been stored below 2°C or above 30°C, you should not use and discard of it safely as the active ingredients may have been affected. If used, this may lead to health issues.

If Mounjaro has been stored above 8°C but below 30°C, you can still use it, but any remaining solution must be discarded after 30 days.

For Wegovy, again, so long as the temperature has not exceeded 30°C, you can still use it as it has an in use shelf life of six weeks after which, any remaining solution must be safely discarded.

Summary

GLP 1 medications such as Mounjaro and Wegovy must be used consistently for an effective weight loss journey. If travelling, you can still continue your journey, so long as you have taken the proper steps to ensure the medication stays safe within transit to your destination.

Ideally, your weight loss medication should be kept in an insulated bag in your hand luggage with the exception of needles which must be in your checked bags. You should also carry documentation from your doctor or prescriber to confirm the medication has been prescribed for a relevant medical condition.