¹"Don't Be Tempted to Use Expired Medicines." U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 31 Oct. 2024, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/safe-disposal-medicines/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines.
Update — April 2026: Wegovy delivery is changing
Wegovy can now be delivered at temperatures below 30°C for up to 48 hours, following an April 2026 MHRA licence update. This means your Wegovy may now arrive without ice packs. The way you store Wegovy at home stays exactly the same.
Knowing how to store Wegovy properly keeps your weight loss medication safe, effective, and ready to use. Wegovy storage rules can feel confusing at first. Does it always need to be in the fridge? What about room temperature? How long can it stay out?
This guide walks through everything UK patients need to know about storing Wegovy. We'll cover the April 2026 update on Wegovy delivery, fridge and room temperature rules, what to do if your pen has been stored incorrectly, and how to travel with Wegovy safely.
Wegovy delivery update (April 2026)
On 23 April 2026, the MHRA (the UK medicines regulator) approved an update to the Wegovy FlexTouch product licence. Under the new guidance, Wegovy can now be transported at temperatures below 30°C for up to 48 hours during the final stage of delivery from the pharmacy to the patient.
This makes Wegovy the first GLP-1 weight management treatment in the UK to receive approval for controlled room-temperature delivery during transit.
Why doesn't my Wegovy come with ice packs anymore?
If you've recently received your Wegovy delivery and noticed there were no ice packs inside, you might be wondering why. The good news is your medication is still safe and effective to use.
Following the April 2026 licence update, we've changed the way we package Wegovy orders at Voy. Because the medication remains stable below 30°C for up to 48 hours, ice packs are no longer needed for standard deliveries. This change allows us to reduce unnecessary packaging and lower the environmental impact of deliveries, while continuing to ensure your medication arrives safely and within approved storage conditions.
What does this mean for patients?
Very little changes about how you use or store Wegovy once it arrives at home. You should still follow the storage instructions in your patient information leaflet, including keeping your Wegovy pen refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C before use.
As soon as your delivery arrives, place your Wegovy pen in the fridge straight away and keep it there until you take your first dose. The recent licence update only changes how Wegovy can be transported during the final stage of delivery, from the pharmacy to your door.
What does this mean for delivery?
Previously, Wegovy deliveries followed a full cold-chain process from manufacture through to patient delivery, meaning refrigeration was required throughout transit.
Under the updated guidance, the final delivery stage from the pharmacy to the patient can now take place at room temperature below 30°C for up to 48 hours. This allows providers like Voy to safely deliver Wegovy without ice packs during standard delivery timeframes.
As well as maintaining patient safety and medication quality, this change also helps:
- Reduce unnecessary packaging weight and waste
- Lower the environmental impact of deliveries
- Support more efficient home delivery services
All deliveries continue to follow approved manufacturer and pharmacy guidance.
Does this apply to other weight loss injections?
This update applies only to Wegovy FlexTouch pens, across the following dose strengths: 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg and 7.2mg.
If you're prescribed another weight loss injection, such as Mounjaro or Saxenda, your delivery process and storage requirements remain unchanged. You should continue to follow the instructions provided in your patient information leaflet and by your prescriber.
Wegovy Pill is live
Explore everything that's new in weight loss - from Wegovy Pill and our treatment options to the latest offers, savings and expert guidance.
By entering I agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Why does Wegovy need to be refrigerated?
Wegovy contains semaglutide, a peptide medicine. Peptides are made up of chains of amino acids, similar to how proteins are built, and they're sensitive to temperature.
If a peptide medicine gets too warm, the structure of the molecule can start to break down. If it freezes, the structure can be permanently damaged. Either way, the medicine may not work as well as it should.
That's why Wegovy needs to be stored within a specific temperature range, between 2°C and 8°C in the fridge before first use, or below 30°C once you've started using it. Keeping it within this range protects the active ingredient and ensures each dose works as intended.
Wegovy storage rules: fridge, room temperature, and pen lifespan
The rules for storing Wegovy depend on whether your pen is still sealed or already in use, and where you're keeping it.
Storing Wegovy before first use
As soon as your Wegovy delivery arrives, place it in the fridge if you're not using it immediately. This helps keep the medicine within the recommended temperature range and ensures it stays fully effective.
Before first use, Wegovy should be stored in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C, in its original packaging to protect it from light. Keep it out of sight and reach of children, and away from any vulnerable people who may live with you. When stored correctly in the fridge, it can be kept until the expiry date printed on the packaging.
If your unopened pen has been kept at room temperature (below 30°C), it can still be used for up to 6 weeks from when it was first taken out of the fridge. After 6 weeks, it should be discarded even if it hasn't been used.
Discover Wegovy
Struggling to reach your target weight? You’re not alone. Find out about how medications like Wegovy can boost your efforts and get you closer to your health goals.
Science backed treatment
Clinical support
Trusted by 100,000 UK customers
Fridge placement matters
Where you store Wegovy in the fridge can make a real difference. The aim is to keep it at a stable temperature without risking it becoming too cold.
Avoid placing your pen near the cooling element at the back of the fridge, as this area can get cold enough to accidentally freeze the medication. Avoid the fridge door too, since the temperature there changes every time it's opened.
A middle shelf, where the temperature stays most consistent, is usually the safest place to store your Wegovy.
Storing Wegovy after first use
Once you've taken your first injection from a new Wegovy pen, you have two storage options:
- Keep it in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C
- Store it at room temperature below 30°C
Either way, the pen should be used within 6 weeks and safely discarded after this point, even if there is medication left inside. Make sure the pen is never exposed to temperatures below 2°C or above 30°C, as this can affect how well the medicine works.
Keep the pen cap on when not in use to protect it from light.
Can you freeze Wegovy?
No. Wegovy must never be frozen.
Freezing can permanently damage the active ingredient and may affect how well the medication works. If your pen has been frozen, partially frozen, or exposed to frost at any point, it should not be used, even if it appears to have thawed afterwards. In this case, dispose of it safely and contact the Voy clinical team for advice.
What to do if Wegovy has been stored incorrectly
Storage mistakes happen, especially when life gets in the way. A pen left on the counter overnight, a delivery sitting in the sun, a fridge that's been switched off without you realising. Here's how to tell whether your Wegovy is still safe to use.
My Wegovy has been out of the fridge for too long
The answer depends on how long the pen has been out, what temperature it's been kept at, and whether it's already in use.
If your unopened pen has been at room temperature below 30°C, it can still be used for up to 6 weeks from when it was first taken out of the fridge. After 6 weeks, it should be discarded.
If your in-use pen has been kept below 30°C, it can be used until 6 weeks after your first injection. After that, throw it away even if there's medication left inside.
If your pen has been exposed to temperatures above 30°C at any point, do not use it. This applies even if it looks normal or has since been returned to the fridge. Contact your prescriber or the Voy clinical team for advice.
My Wegovy delivery was left in heat or sun
Following the April 2026 licence update, Wegovy can be transported at temperatures below 30°C for up to 48 hours during the final stage of delivery. Most deliveries arrive well within this timeframe and are safe to use.
If your delivery has been visibly damaged, sitting in direct sunlight for several hours, or feels warm to the touch, contact your prescriber or the Voy clinical team before using it.
Once your delivery arrives, place the pen in the fridge as soon as possible.
My Wegovy looks cloudy or discoloured
Wegovy should be a clear, colourless liquid. Before each injection, look through the pen window to check the solution.
If it looks cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles, do not use the pen. Don't throw it away yet. Contact your prescriber or the Voy clinical team first, who may ask you to send a photo so they can review the pen and arrange a replacement if needed.
I'm not sure if my Wegovy is safe to use
When in doubt, don't inject it. Using a pen that's been stored incorrectly can mean an inaccurate dose, reduced effectiveness, or in rare cases, increased risk of contamination.
If you're a Voy patient, you can speak to our clinical team on 020 3912 9885 (Mon to Fri 9:00 to 17:30) for personalised guidance. If you're prescribed Wegovy elsewhere, contact your prescriber or pharmacist.
How to travel with Wegovy
If you're travelling and need to take unopened Wegovy with you, keep it refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C wherever possible. If the pen has already been opened, keep it below 30°C and use it within 6 weeks from the date of your first dose.
Managing this while travelling is usually straightforward with a bit of planning. Here are some practical tips to help keep your medication at the right temperature on the move.
Use a cooling bag or insulated case
A cooling bag or insulated case is the easiest way to keep your Wegovy at the right temperature during travel. If you're using ice packs, make sure the pen is not placed directly against them, as freezing can damage the medication.
Always pack Wegovy in your hand luggage
When flying, always carry your Wegovy in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage. Cargo holds can experience extreme temperatures, which increases the risk of freezing or overheating your medication. Hand luggage stays in the cabin where the temperature is controlled.
Travel with prescription documentation
Bring your prescription label or a letter from your prescriber, especially when flying. Keep your Wegovy in its original packaging so it's easy to identify at security.
Wegovy pens are permitted in hand luggage, but airport security may ask questions about your medication. Having documentation ready helps the process go smoothly. If you are a Voy patient, you can request a prescription copy from our clinical team before you travel.
How to dispose of Wegovy pens safely
Wegovy comes as a pre-filled pen with separate disposable needles. Used needles need to be disposed of safely in a sharps bin, while empty pens can be recycled through the PenCycle scheme. Neither should go in your household bin or kerbside recycling.
Disposing of needles
After each injection, remove the used needle from the pen and place it in a sharps bin straight away. Never store your pen with the needle still attached.
A sharps bin is a puncture-proof container designed for needles and other medical waste. Keep yours in a safe place so it's not a risk to other people, and out of sight and reach of children. If you order Wegovy through Voy, we deliver a sharps bin alongside your medication. If you're prescribed Wegovy elsewhere, you can ask your provider for one.
Disposing of empty Wegovy pens
Once you have finished all four doses in a pen, you can recycle the empty pen through the free PenCycle scheme, which is specifically designed for returning used Novo Nordisk pens. Alternatively, you can take the empty pen (with no needle attached) to your local pharmacy for disposal.
The pen must be empty and the needle must be removed before it goes into the PenCycle return box. You can pick up a return box from a participating pharmacy or order one to your home.
What if my Wegovy pen still has medication in it?
If your pen still contains medication because it's expired, frozen, or stored incorrectly, it shouldn't go in the PenCycle box. PenCycle is for empty pens only. Return partly-used pens to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
When your sharps bin is full
Arrangements for disposing of full sharps bins vary depending on where you live. Most UK councils offer this free of charge. You can find out more from your local council's website.
You can also:
- Contact your GP surgery to ask whether they accept full sharps bins
- Contact your local A&E department
- Check whether a local needle exchange pharmacy offers disposal services
Considering Wegovy for weight loss?
Find out if Wegovy could be right for you. Our short eligibility quiz checks suitability and connects you with a clinician for personalised treatment.
Wegovy pill storage
A once-daily Wegovy pill has been approved and is now available to buy in the UK. It produces up to 16.6% average weight loss over 64 weeks, similar to the weekly Wegovy injection.
Unlike Wegovy injections, which require refrigeration before use, the Wegovy pill can be stored at room temperature. The tablets should be kept in their original bottle with the lid tightly closed and stored in a cool, dry place away from moisture.
