Your patients may inquire about the protocol regarding how they travel with injection GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. As a primary care doctor, you can assure your patients that they can maintain their wellness goals with these simple directives. 

Injectable Medications Are Permitted 

People with diabetes have been permitted to travel with their insulin supplies for decades, so the travel industry is not new to accommodating travelers with injectable medication, said Morgan White, MD, a family medicine doctor at UW Health and an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin. 

“I do recommend that patients travel with all medications in their carry-on bag and not checked luggage,” White said. Although GLP-1 medications generally require refrigeration, they have some flexibility, especially when it comes to short-term travel, she said.  

Storage Guidelines  

Ozempic: Can be kept unrefrigerated for up to 56 days if the temperature stays between 59 °F and 86 °F (15 °C to 30 °C). 

Wegovy: Can be kept unrefrigerated for up to 28 days within the same temperature conditions as Ozempic. 

Mounjaro and Zepbound: Can be kept unrefrigerated for up to 21 days under the same temperature conditions. 

Proactive Planning  

Proper preparation prevents poor performance, cautioned White. “Advise patients to think about their travel plans with the storage requirements in mind,” she said. 

For example, if your patient is going on a trip where their medication is in the safe zone at ambient temperature for the entire duration, then the medication should be fine. 

However, if your patient is going to be away from home longer than the medication’s ambient safety time, another option would be to have their prescription sent to a pharmacy local to the patient’s travel destination. 

“Patients should be advised that this planning works best if done prior to their trip, with plenty of time for you as their primary care doctor to accommodate the request,” White said. 

Medication Travel Cases 

If the patient is headed to a warm climate, travel cases with removable ice packs could be a good choice. “If they are going to a warm climate, removable ice packs are an option to help keep the medication within the target temperature range until they can be stored in the fridge,” White said. 

If they are going to be traveling at temperatures in which the medication is stable, White suggests skipping this step. 

Managing GI Issues 

Advise patients to bring medications they need to help manage any GI side effects. Discuss symptoms with your patients. “If they tend to deal with diarrhea, they should consider traveling with Imodium or Pepto Bismol,” White said. “If they lean towards constipation, they should consider traveling with fiber supplements, magnesium supplements, MiraLAX, etc.” 

Another recommendation per White is to advise patients not to increase their dose before traveling, so that they don’t have to deal with any unexpected side effects. “I tell all of my patients to listen to their bodies: Some can tolerate more of a splurge while on GLP-1s and can tolerate a ‘dietary excursion’ while on vacation; others, not so much,” she said. 

If your patients report that they experience nausea on GLP-1 medication, consider preventive measures. “I always prescribe Zofran (antinausea medication) for my patients to have just in case they need this,” said Shauna Levy, MD, director of Tulane University’s Bariatric and Weight Loss Center in New Orleans. “I suggest bringing the Zofran while traveling, just in case it is needed.” 

Another tip for patients who are traveling while on GLP-1s is to stay hydrated. “When we are not hungry, we are often not thirsty, and we forget to drink,” said Levy. “Think of water and hydrating fluids as medicine. It is important to drink at least 64 ounces per day to help avoid constipation.” 

Finally, patients should not deprive themselves while on vacation, but moderation is key. “I think it is still okay to eat indulgent foods, but their desire for this will be less with GLP-1 medication,” said Levy. “I suggest eating small portions, but if they come across food they cannot turn down, just let them know their stomach might not agree with such a choice.” 

Disposal Instructions 

It's also important to have a discussion with your patients about proper disposal of injectables. The FDA recommends placing used needles, vials, and syringes in a sharps disposal container to “reduce the risk of needle sticks, cuts, or punctures from loose sharps.” If an FDA-cleared container is not available, suggest that your patient use a heavy-duty plastic container instead.