Dr Nick Fuller
Leading Obesity Expert at the University of Sydney and founder of Interval Weight Loss.
If you’re using semaglutide, whether it’s Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, where you store it can make or break how well it works. These medications are part of the GLP-1 receptor agonist family, proven to help with type 2 diabetes and weight management. In fact, global prescriptions for semaglutide skyrocketed by more than 400% between 2021 and 2023, as demand for weight-loss injectables surged. But here’s the catch: semaglutide is sensitive. If it’s kept too hot, frozen, or exposed to sunlight, the active ingredients can degrade and lose effectiveness.
Research shows that peptides like semaglutide are particularly unstable outside recommended storage conditions. That’s why both the FDA and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) stress the importance of proper refrigeration and handling. In other words, tossing your pen in a hot car or freezing it overnight could mean your next dose won’t do what it’s supposed to.
Absolutely. Semaglutide is a medication that demands careful storage. Like many biologic drugs, it’s made up of delicate protein structures that can easily lose their effectiveness if exposed to the wrong environment. Heat, freezing, or direct sunlight may cause the molecules to break down, which means the medication won’t deliver its intended benefits.
Health regulators like the FDA and TGA include strict storage guidelines in their prescribing information because improper handling can reduce both safety and potency. For example, freezing semaglutide can permanently damage its structure, while leaving it in a hot room may accelerate degradation. According to a recent study, maintaining proper storage conditions is critical for GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide to remain effective across their shelf life.
Think of it like keeping food fresh: milk spoils if left on the counter, even if it looks fine. The same applies to semaglutide. You might not see changes in the pen or tablets, but improper storage can make them far less reliable. Proper storage isn’t just a guideline; it’s part of making sure your treatment works the way it should.
Different types of semaglutide have slightly different storage instructions. Here’s a quick guide:
According to the Ozempic official website, its proper storage conditions are:
Unused pens: Keep new, unopened pens in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until the expiration date (‘EXP’) printed on the label. Don’t place them directly next to the cooling element, and never freeze them. Frozen pens should be discarded.
After first use: Once you’ve started using a pen, it can be stored at room temperature (59°F to 86°F / 15°C to 30°C) or in the refrigerator (36°F to 46°F / 2°C to 8°C) for up to 56 days. Always keep the pen cap on when not in use, and protect it from heat and light.
Disposal: After 56 days, even if there’s still medication left, the pen must be thrown away. Place used pens and needles in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container. If you don’t have one, use a heavy-duty plastic household container with a puncture-resistant lid, leak resistance, and proper labelling.
Safety tips: Keep Ozempic out of reach of children, never expose it to heat, and never attempt to reuse or extend beyond its recommended storage period.
Like Ozempic, Wegovy also needs careful storage to stay effective. Because it comes in single-dose pens, you’ll want to be extra mindful of temperature and light exposure.
Refrigeration: Keep Wegovy pens in the refrigerator at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until you’re ready to use them.
Short-term storage: If needed, pens can be stored at 46°F to 86°F (8°C to 30°C) for up to 28 days, but only before the cap is removed.
Do not freeze: Frozen pens should not be used. Discard them immediately.
Light protection: Always keep Wegovy in its original carton until it’s time for administration. This protects it from direct light.
After use: Wegovy pens are single-use only. Discard the pen immediately after injection, following sharps disposal guidelines from your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Unlike the injectable pens, Rybelsus comes in tablet form, which makes storage a little simpler, but just as important.
Room temperature: Keep Rybelsus stored at 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Short excursions between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C) are allowed.
Original bottle only: Always keep the tablets in their original bottle until use. This packaging is designed to protect them from moisture.
Dry place: Store in a cool, dry spot away from humidity. Bathrooms and kitchens with lots of steam are not ideal.
No pill boxes: Don’t transfer Rybelsus tablets into weekly organisers or other containers, as this exposes them to air and moisture.
Keeping semaglutide safe doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some care tips to remember:
Never freeze the medication
Keep track of the opening date
Avoid leaving it in hot environments like cars
Do not use past the recommended storage period
Store out of reach of children and pets
Check the solution for clarity (discard if cloudy or discoloured)
Use a travel case when carrying pens outside
Follow disposal instructions from your pharmacy or healthcare provider
These small habits can go a long way in making sure your treatment works as intended.
Freezing semaglutide ruins it. If your pen or tablets get frozen, even once, do not use them. Discard safely and get a replacement. Using frozen semaglutide may mean the medication won’t work as intended.
After opening, semaglutide pens are good for 56 days. Beyond this point, even if there’s leftover medication, it’s best to discard it. This ensures you’re not using degraded medicine that could be less effective.
If your pen is left out in warm conditions (say, in a car on a hot day), check the storage guidelines. If it’s been exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C) for a long time, it may no longer be safe to use. When in doubt, ask your pharmacist. They can advise whether it’s still viable.
Once opened, semaglutide pens can stay at room temperature (59°F to 86°F / 15°C to 30°C) for up to 56 days. Unopened pens, however, should remain in the fridge until ready to use. For Rybelsus tablets, fridge storage isn’t needed. They’re stable at room temperature.
So, where should you store semaglutide? The answer depends on whether it’s unopened, opened, or in tablet form. But the golden rule is to keep it cool, away from heat, and never frozen.
With the right storage practices, you’ll keep your medication effective and your treatment plan on track. Always double-check instructions on the packaging or with your healthcare provider for the safest results.
Thinking about weight loss injections but worried about safety, especially as you get older? This detailed guide explains whether these treatments are safe for women over 40 and what to consider before starting.
Dr Nick Fuller is the founder of Interval Weight Loss and is a leading obesity expert at the University of Sydney with a Ph.D. in Obesity Treatment. Dr Fuller is also the author of three best-selling books and his work been published in top ranked journals in the medical field, including JAMA, Lancet and American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.