Practical · US & Canada
Storing your medication
By Joshua Nichvolodoff · Fact-checked against sources November 2, 2026 · Next review due May 1, 2027
Clinical review: not yet reviewed by a clinician. How review works · Editorial policy
Storage rules come from each product's label and differ between pens, vials and tablets — and between the US and Canada. Here is what each label says.
Time out of the fridge, by product (US labels)
| Item | Out of the fridge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ozempic pen (after first use) | 56 days at 15–30°C (59–86°F), or in the fridge | Keep the cap on; store without a needle attached |
| Wegovy single-dose pen | Up to 28 days at 8–30°C, before removing the cap | Keep in the carton; protect from light |
| Zepbound / Mounjaro single-dose pen or vial | Up to 21 days, not above 30°C (86°F) | Don't put back in the fridge once at room temperature |
| Zepbound / Mounjaro KwikPen or multi-dose vial | Unopened: up to 30 days, not above 30°C | Once opened: discard after 30 days or 4 weekly doses |
| Wegovy tablets | Store at 20–25°C | Original bottle, dry place |
| Rybelsus | Store at 20–25°C (brief 15–30°C allowed) | Original bottle, away from moisture |
In Canada
The Canadian Ozempic monograph says that after first use the pen can be kept below 30°C or in the fridge for 8 weeks, with the cap on to protect from light[7]. The Canadian Zepbound KwikPen monograph allows up to 30 days unrefrigerated at not above 30°C, and says to discard the pen after four weekly doses[8]. For other products, check your Canadian monograph or ask your pharmacist.
Heat, light and freezing
The labels say not to freeze injectable GLP-1 medicines and to protect them from heat and light — keeping them in the carton or with the cap on[1][2]. If a pen has been frozen or overheated, ask your pharmacist before using it.
General information from product labels, not medical advice.
Log each dose and see when the next one is due, on your device. Open my tracker or browse the other guides.
Sources
- OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection — prescribing information (revised 05/2026). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, May 2026. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2026/209637s038lbl.pdf. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection — prescribing information, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use (revised 02/2026). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, February 2026. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2026/217806s042lbl.pdf. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets — current label (revised 6/2026). DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), June 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- RYBELSUS (semaglutide) tablets — prescribing information (revised 10/2025). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, October 2025. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/213051s024%2Cs028s029lbl.pdf. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection — prescribing information and Medication Guide (revised 08/2025). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, August 2025. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/215256s024lbl.pdf. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- MOUNJARO (tirzepatide) injection and KwikPen — current label (revised 8/2026). DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), August 2026. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d2d7da5d-ad07-4228-955f-cf7e355c8cc0. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- Ozempic (semaglutide injection) product monograph. Health Canada Drug Product Database / Novo Nordisk Canada, April 14, 2026. https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00084255.PDF. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
- Zepbound (tirzepatide injection) KwikPen product monograph. Health Canada Drug Product Database / Eli Lilly Canada, April 2, 2026. https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00084150.PDF. Accessed November 2, 2026. Back to the text
Figures marked “as reported” are historical: they show what the source said on that date, not today's price or rule.
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