Travelling with medicines such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Trulicity or other GLP-1 medicines requires some forward planning, particularly when your journey involves flights, long drives, hot weather or extended periods away from refrigeration.

Many injectable GLP-1 medicines are normally stored in a refrigerator before use. However, depending on the specific medicine and presentation, some may also be kept outside the refrigerator for a limited period provided they remain within the temperature range specified by the manufacturer.

The important point is that storage requirements are not the same for every GLP-1 medicine.

Before travelling, always check the current Australian Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) supplied with your exact medicine and speak with your pharmacist, doctor or diabetes health professional if you are unsure.

Why temperature matters when travelling

Being permitted to store a medicine outside the refrigerator does not mean it can be exposed to unlimited heat.

Cars, airport transfers, luggage, outdoor activities and direct sunlight can expose medicines to temperatures considerably higher than normal room temperature.

Temperature-sensitive medicines may also need protection from freezing.

This means there are generally two different approaches to travelling with GLP-1 medicines:

1. Protect the medicine from excessive heat

Some medicines can be stored outside refrigeration for a defined period, provided they remain below a specified maximum temperature.

Where the manufacturer's instructions allow this, a medication cooling product may help protect the medicine from higher surrounding temperatures.

Cooling, however, is not the same as refrigeration.

For example, the Medactiv EasyBag Classic is designed to maintain an environment of approximately 16°C to 25°C for up to five days under specified operating conditions. It is activated with tap water and does not require frozen gel packs.

It does not maintain medicine between 2°C and 8°C and should therefore only be considered where the medicine's own storage instructions permit storage within this temperature range.

2. Maintain refrigerated transport between 2°C and 8°C

If your medicine needs to remain refrigerated during your journey, use a medication transport system designed and tested to maintain the required 2°C to 8°C range.

The amount of cooling time you require should be based on your complete door-to-door journey, not simply the scheduled flight time.

For example, an international flight of 14 hours may become a much longer journey once travel to the airport, check-in, connections, baggage collection and transport to your accommodation are included.

Medactiv refrigerated travel options include:

• iCool Weekender – designed for up to 12 hours at 2°C to 8°C
• iCool Prestige – designed for up to 24 hours at 2°C to 8°C
• LifeinaBag 24 – designed for up to 24 hours at 2°C to 8°C
• iCool MediCube Compact – designed for up to 36 hours at 2°C to 8°C
• iCool MediCube Ultra – designed for up to 36 hours at 2°C to 8°C with additional medication capacity

These durations are based on Medactiv's specified test conditions. Ambient temperature, correct preparation, packing configuration and how the product is used can affect temperature performance.

Don't forget the surrounding temperature

Even when using a medication cooler, the conditions around it matter.

Where possible:

• Keep the medication and cooler out of direct sunlight
• Do not leave them inside a parked vehicle
• Follow the manufacturer's preparation and packing instructions
• Avoid opening the cooler unnecessarily
• Do not overload the medication compartment
• Follow the medicine manufacturer's instructions regarding protection from freezing

If you are travelling to a particularly hot destination, consider this when planning how long your medicine will need temperature protection.

Can your medicine go back into the refrigerator after travelling?

This depends on the particular medicine and presentation.

Some medicines have a defined total period during which they can remain outside refrigeration. Others have different instructions once the medicine is in use.

Do not assume the storage rules for one GLP-1 medicine also apply to another.

Keep track of:

• How long your medicine has been outside refrigeration
• The approximate temperatures it has been exposed to
• Whether it may have exceeded the manufacturer's maximum temperature
• Whether the pen or device has already been opened or used

If you are unsure about the condition of your medicine following a temperature excursion, check the current CMI and speak with your pharmacist, doctor or diabetes health professional before using it.

Travelling by air

For air travel, keeping temperature-sensitive medicine with you in your hand luggage generally allows you to better protect and monitor it during the journey.

Where practical, keep medicine in its original labelled packaging and carry appropriate documentation relating to your prescription.

Airline, airport security and destination-country requirements can vary, so check the requirements that apply to your trip before departure.

It is also useful to consider what refrigeration or cooling facilities will be available once you reach your destination.

Choosing a travel solution

Before choosing a medication travel product, consider:

• The storage instructions for your exact medicine
• Whether refrigeration between 2°C and 8°C is required
• Your complete door-to-door travel time
• The number of pens or injections you are carrying
• Whether you need to retain the original medicine packaging
• Expected temperatures during your journey
• Access to refrigeration or a freezer at your destination

Planning these details before departure can make travelling with temperature-sensitive medication considerably easier.

Important information

This article provides general information for people who have already been prescribed a GLP-1 or related medicine.

It does not provide individual medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for the storage instructions supplied with your medicine.

Medication storage requirements can change and may differ according to the medicine, strength, presentation or delivery device.

Always refer to the current Australian Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) for your exact medicine and speak with your doctor, pharmacist or diabetes health professional if you are unsure about its storage or transport requirements.

This information has been supplied by Medactiv is intended as general guidance and does not replace professional medical advice. Medactiv does not prescribe or supply GLP-1 medicines. Medactiv products are designed to assist with temperature management when transporting prescribed temperature-sensitive medicines. Diabetes Shop is not liable for any actions taken based on the content provided.