Welcome to Your Comprehensive Guide on Storing Ozempic!
Ozempic (semaglutide), an injection for type 2 diabetes that only assists in reducing blood sugar levels but also has potential benefits for weight loss.
In this guide, we'll explore a critical aspect that may not always be front of mind: how to properly store your Ozempic pens. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in your Ozempic pens, is highly temperature-sensitive and demands careful storage and temperature control to maintain its efficacy.
Join us in this Q&A as we provide you with all the necessary information and practical advice for keeping your Ozempic in top condition!
How to Store Ozempic: Storage Temperature Guide
First things first: Ozempic does need to be refrigerated to preserve its effectiveness. But, you'll be pleased to know it's quite adaptable when it comes to short-term storage. Indeed, once out of the fridge, your Ozempic pens can be safely kept at room temperature for as long as 56 days—a handy flexibility for daily use.
Here’s a simple breakdown of Ozempic storage instructions provided by Novo Nordisk, its manufacturer:
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Unopened Pens: Before you start using them, keep all unopened Ozempic pens refrigerated at a steady 2°C to 8°C.
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Opened Pens: After the first use, you can either store the pen at a cool room temperature—no higher than 30°C—or pop it back in the refrigerator. Just remember, you need to use the pen within 56 days.
Whether you’re at home or traveling, following these temperature storage guidelines will ensure your Ozempic remains potent and ready when you need it!
What happens if Ozempic is not refrigerated before first use?
Refrigerating Ozempic is crucial not just to extend its shelf life but to ensure its effectiveness and safety. Here's what happens to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, when it's unrefrigerated for too long:
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Protein Instability: As a peptide-based medication, semaglutide is vulnerable to temperature increases. Keeping it refrigerated helps protect the integrity of its protein structure, preventing it from breaking down prematurely.
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Chemical Degradation: At higher temperatures, chemical reactions within Ozempic can speed up, potentially reducing the drug’s potency. This makes effective blood sugar management more challenging.
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Microbial Growth: Warm environments are breeding grounds for microbes. Refrigeration not only slows down microbial growth but also helps maintain the sterility of the medication, ensuring it remains safe for injection.
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Loss of Efficacy: Improper storage can result in a loss of efficacy, meaning your Ozempic may not perform as expected, jeopardising blood sugar control and increasing the risk of diabetes-related complications.
In essence, keeping Ozempic refrigerated isn't just about following storage guidelines—it's about safeguarding your treatment and health outcomes!
Related article: Wegovy Storage Temperature: How to Best Store Your Wegovy Pens!
How Long Can Ozempic be Out of the fridge?
Fortunately, Ozempic has a forgiving storage window—it can stay out of the fridge for up to 56 days. However, it's important to discard it after this period as laboratory tests have shown that its effectiveness wanes, impacting its ability to manage blood sugar levels effectively.
But there's more to consider! Even within these 56 days, it's crucial to keep Ozempic away from heat. If exposed to temperatures over 30°C, its potency may be significantly reduced, making it less effective.
For those in warmer climates or traveling to hot destinations, carrying your Ozempic in a medical-grade cooler is a smart move. This ensures that even in high temperatures, your medication remains at a controlled temperature and stays stable and effective, providing the blood sugar control you rely on.
Get the full picture by watching our Video on Ozempic Storage below!
What happens if Ozempic freezes?
Ozempic, much like insulin and other similar medications, should never be frozen. Being an aqueous solution, its active ingredient, semaglutide, is dissolved in water and thus susceptible to freezing at 0°C. When Ozempic freezes, it solidifies, and this process irreversibly damages the structure of the solution.
Even if Ozempic thaws after being frozen, it cannot be salvaged and remains unsafe for use. The breakdown of the solution structure means that the medication will no longer be effective in managing blood sugar levels. If you discover that your Ozempic pen has accidentally frozen, do not use it!
How Long is Ozempic Good For?
- When Stored in the Refrigerator:
When stored correctly in the fridge between 2°C and 8°C, Ozempic pens are good until the expiration date marked on them.
Each Ozempic pen comes with its own expiration date printed on the pen itself and on the packaging. Generally, the expiration date occurs about a year from the purchase date.
Always check this date before using Ozempic to ensure your pen hasn’t expired. Never use expired Ozempic!
- After Opening:
After opening, an Ozempic pen is good for up to 56 days when stored at a controlled room temperature, below 30°C, or in the refrigerator. After this period, semaglutide, its active ingredient, starts to lose its effectiveness and isn’t safe for use anymore.
What Happens if You Take Expired Ozempic?
Never use expired Ozempic. It can seriously jeopardize your diabetes management and health.
Ozempic expires and may go bad in three main situations:
- It has passed its labeled expiration date
- It has been unrefrigerated for more than 56 days
- It has been exposed to temperatures above 30°C .
Ozempic should be a clear, colorless liquid. Presence of particles, cloudiness, or color change indicates that the semaglutide may have gone bad.
An increase in blood glucose levels might also suggest that your Ozempic is no longer effective. If your blood sugar levels are unusually high, it's possible your Ozempic has expired.
If you suspect your Ozempic has expired or notice any abnormalities, stop using the penn it immediately. Replace it with a new pen from the refrigerator and seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
While using expired Ozempic won’t poison you, it may fail to adequately control your blood sugar, leading to severe diabetes-related complications like prolonged hyperglycaemia. Always consult your healthcare provider if you accidentally use expired medication or if you're unsure about its potency.
Storing Ozempic at Room Temperature
Ozempic offers a convenient storage option for those on the move or with a busy lifestyle —it can be kept at room temperature between 15°C to 30°C, for up to 56 days. This flexibility is especially useful for travelers or anyone without immediate access to refrigeration.
For example, if you're headed to a location where keeping things cool is a challenge, you can confidently store your Ozempic pen in your luggage or carry-on. As long as the ambient temperature remains 30°C, your injector pens will remain safe and effective throughout your journey.
It's crucial to monitor the date you begin using the pen or removing it from the fridge to avoid surpassing this 56-days period.
For instance, if you start a new Ozempic pen on April 1st, it should be disposed of by May 26th, regardless of remaining medication.
What happens if Ozempic gets warm?
When Ozempic gets too warm and is exposed to high temperatures above 30°C, even for short periods, it can lead to rapid degradation and a reduction in its ability to effectively manage blood sugar levels.
For example, placing Ozempic near heat sources such as radiators or ovens can expose it to temperatures outside its safe storage range, compromising its effectiveness. It's crucial to store Ozempic in a cool, stable environment to ensure it maintains its therapeutic properties!
What If Your Unopened Ozempic Pens Were Left out of The Fridge??
If you happen to forget refrigerating your Ozempic, don't worry—it's a common mistake for those using medications that require cooling. The good news is, Ozempic can safely stay out of the fridge for up to 56 days.
If you realize that your Ozempic pen has been left out, like on a kitchen counter, simply return it to the fridge at your earliest convenience. This action helps preserve its stability and effectiveness.
As long as it's returned within a few hours and used within the 56-day window from when it was first taken out or opened, your medication should remain effective.
What if Ozempic was left out overnight?
If you find that your Ozempic was accidentally left out overnight, its usability will depend on the room's temperature during that time.
Should the temperature have stayed below 30°C, your Ozempic should still be fine to use. However, keep in mind that since the cold chain was interrupted, it’s crucial to use the pen within 56 days, regardless of whether you choose to return it to the fridge or continue storing it at room temperature.
On the other hand, if you're unsure of the temperature or if it was particularly high that day, it's best to err on the side of caution. In such cases, dispose of the Ozempic pen and replace it with a new one from the refrigerator. This ensures that your medication remains effective and safe for managing your diabetes.
Can you put Ozempic back in the fridge?
Yes, you can put Ozempic back in the fridge after it has been at room temperature, always below 30°C!
For example, let's say you took your Ozempic pen out of the fridge in the morning to inject your dose and left it on the kitchen counter throughout the day. You can return your Ozempic pen to the fridge in the evening. However, it must be used within 56 days, as placing it back in the fridge won't extend this 56-day period!
Ozempic Transport Temperature When Traveling
When traveling with Ozempic, maintaining proper temperature control and cold storage is essential.
For short trips that fall within a 56-day window, you can safely transport your Ozempic pens at room temperature. It’s important to keep them protected from excessive heat and direct sunlight to preserve their effectiveness. A portable cooler or an insulated bag, such as those offered by 4AllFamily, is necessary if the ambient temperature gets above 30°C.
If your travel extends beyond 56 days, your Ozempic pens must be transported with refrigeration. For such cases, using a medical-grade travel refrigerator is recommended to ensure that the pens remain safe during your journey!
Share Your Insights With Us!
Are you on Ozempic? Have you had any issue with storage and refrigeration of your pens? Don’t hesitate to share your stories and questions below!
