6 expert tips to keep your Wegovy and Saxenda pens cool
Do Wegovy and Saxenda need to be refrigerated?
Yes, Wegovy and Saxenda are temperature-controlled medicines. New, unused Wegovy and Saxenda pens should be stored in the refrigerator at temperatures between 2°C and 8°C. Once your pen is in use you can either refrigerate it or store it at room temperature (not exceeding 30°C).
Why do Wegovy and Saxenda need to be refrigerated?
All medicines need to be stored correctly, whatever form they come in whether that’s tablets or injectables. Medicines stored incorrectly can deteriorate and make them ineffective and potentially toxic.
The active ingredients in Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide) must be stored at a cool temperature in order for them to work as intended and safely. Exposure to light and extreme temperatures can cause deterioration so remember to keep them cool but not freeze them.
How to store your pens
Before you receive your pens, they have been stored in a refrigerator and kept at the correct temperature at your pharmacy. During delivery, this temperature is maintained in temperature-controlled packaging.
Once delivered, it is your job to follow the storage instructions to ensure your pens' best quality and safety.
To do this, put any pens you are not currently using in your refrigerator at 2 °C to 8 °C. Wegovy pens are best kept in the refrigerator but they can be kept in their original carton at room temperature below 25 °C for no longer than 21 days if necessary.
Saxenda can be kept out of the fridge at room temperature below 30 °C for 1 month. As with all medicines, you shouldn’t use Saxenda or Wegovy past the expiry date; you can find this date on the pen label or carton.
Saxenda and Wegovy pens are best stored in their cartons. This helps to protect them from bright lights that might deteriorate the medicine.
The solution in these pens should be clear and colourless. If it’s not, this is a sign of deterioration and you should not use the pen.
What to do if your medication gets too warm
Accidents do happen, and if you've not refrigerated your Saxenda or Wegovy pens straight away, here's what to do.
It all depends on how warm and how long the pens haven’t been cool. For Saxenda pens, if they are above 30 °C you should not use them and discard them safely. If the temperature is below 30 °C you can still use Saxenda within 1 month of receiving your medication.
Wegovy on the other hand should not be used if the temperature is above 25 °C, so discard your pens safely if this is the case. If the temperature of your Wegovy pen is below 25 °C and you're still within 21 days of receiving your medication, it is safe to use.
Tips to keep your weight loss pens cool
Weight loss pens are an investment and it’s important to take care of them so that you get the most out of each and every pen. It may feel like a juggling act trying to keep your pens at the right temperature, but with preparation, you can ensure your pens stay cool and are not wasted.
Remember, your dispensing pharmacy has been keeping your pens at the perfect temperature and with some planning and adjustments, you can keep them cool at home too.
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1. Check your delivery time
Being readily available to collect your delivery avoids delays and prevents your weight-loss pen from being out of the refrigerator for too long.
At Chemist4U we use Royal Mail 24 delivery service for temperature-controlled items and you should expect your delivery within 1-3 days.
Don't worry, our customer service team will also call you to check if you’ll be available to collect your delivery if you’re ordering 10 or 15 pens, and your pens will be in temperature-controlled packaging to keep them cooler for longer.
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2. Make sure you have space in your refrigerator
If you're using your regular refrigerator to store your pens, create space for them away from your food. Prepare the refrigerator ready to slot in the pens as soon as they arrive.
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3. Check your refrigerator temperature
Don't fail at the first hurdle by putting your pens in a refrigerator that is too cold or not cold enough. Around 5 °C is the ideal temperature for a refrigerator to store food and it’s also a safe temperature for Wegovy and Saxenda pens.
Keep in mind that some refrigerators take some time to adjust to temperature changes, so do this in advance of receiving your pens.
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4. Inject at a convenient time for you
It is best to use your weight loss pens at a time when you can easily access your refrigerator. This may be when you’re at home before work or in the evening.
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5. Use a cool pack when you’re travelling
There may be times when you're away from home such as when you're on holiday or working. Always carry your weight loss pens in a cool pack when travelling to prevent them from becoming too warm and deteriorating.
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6. Don't freeze your pens
Last but not least, don't be tempted to put them in your freezer if your refrigerator is too full! Saxenda and Wegovy should be cool, not frozen. Freezing will make them unsafe to use.
Disposing of your Wegovy and Saxenda pens is just as important as storing them. They shouldn't be discarded with your regular water waste or household waste. Speak to a pharmacist about disposing of your pens safely, as they may be able to dispose of them for you.
