Travelling with Wegovy or Mounjaro: storage, security and more

Ready to take the next step? See if you're eligible for expert-led weight loss support.

Are you planning to take your Wegovy or Mounjaro weight loss pens abroad? Here are all the key facts you need to know.

Are you planning to go on holiday this year?

It's nice to have sand and sunshine to look forward to. But if you're travelling with weight loss injections like Mounjaro or Wegovy, those daydreams of paradise can come with serious questions attached.

Questions like:

Is it legal to travel with weight loss injections?
Do I need a letter from my doctor?
Is it OK to take needles through airport security?
How should I store my medication while I'm travelling?
Do I need to let my insurer know about my injections?

In this guide, we answer all these questions to help you plan a stress-free trip. Happy holidaying!

Is it legal to travel with Wegovy or Mounjaro?

Yes, broadly speaking, it's legal to travel with weight loss injections – so long as:

The medication is prescribed to you.
You can show your prescription label with your name visible.

Travelling within the UK

It's legal to travel with prescription medications in the UK. Just be sure to carry the medication in its original packaging with the prescription label attached and your name and prescription details visible.

Travelling abroad from the UK

The same guidelines apply here. However, there might be additional considerations, because each country has its own rules covering medications and travel.

Be sure to:

Check the rules in your destination country. Some countries have stricter rules than others. If possible, check well before travelling so you have plenty of time to prepare.

Only take what you need. The rules for travelling to the UK say you shouldn't take more than a three-month supply. Other countries may have different rules and guidelines.

Do I need a doctor's letter to take Wegovy or Mounjaro abroad?

That depends on the rules of the country you're travelling to.

Check before you travel – it's always better to be safe than sorry. You can usually find the information you need on the country's official embassy, health or travel website.

In practice:

Most countries will allow medication in its original packaging with the prescription label attached.
But this isn't a guarantee. Some countries have very strict rules and require a doctor's letter or medical certificate, as well as a prescription label.
In any case, a doctor's note can be useful to help explain what the medication is for.

Is it OK to take Wegovy or Mounjaro injections through airport security?

Yes. But there are a few things to keep in mind.

You should keep your injections in your hand luggage, not your hold luggage. That's because an aeroplane's hold gets very cold – cold enough to freeze the medication and make it unusable.
You'll need to declare your medication when you pass through security. Make sure it's in its original packaging and has a prescription label attached.

It's best to keep all your needles safely together. It helps keep things simple and keep things moving.

You shouldn't need to worry about the 100ml liquid limit because that rule doesn't apply to essential prescription medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro. However, if you're using ice packs to keep your injection pens cool, you should make sure they're still frozen when you pass through security.

How should I store weight loss injections when I travel?

It's important to properly store your weight loss pens as you travel to make sure the medication remains safe and effective.

The basic storage guidelines are broadly the same for Wegovy and Mounjaro:¹ ²

Before use, you should store the pens between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F).
After opening, it's still best to store the pens between 2°C and 8°C. If you can't, it's OK to keep them
between 8°C and 30°C (46°F and 86°F)
in their original packaging
with the cap on
for up to 28 days (Wegovy) or 30 days (Mounjaro).
You should never allow the pens to freeze. If they do freeze, they're unsafe to use and must be thrown away.

That means:

You might need to bring ice packs to keep new pens cool as you travel.
If you need to store new pens when you arrive, it's best to check whether your accommodation has a refrigerator. If not, you might want to bring a plug-in cool box.
You should always pack your pens in carry-on luggage, so they don't freeze in the aeroplane hold.

Do I need to let my travel insurer know I'm taking Wegovy or Mounjaro?

Yes.

This is very important. Using prescription medication can affect the price or content of your insurance policy. That includes Wegovy and Mounjaro injections.

If you fail to declare your medication to your insurer, you risk invalidating your policy. That could leave you with expensive and unexpected medical bills.

Your Wegovy and Mounjaro travel checklist

Before travelling, make sure:

🧑‍⚕️ You've checked the rules on travelling with prescription medication in your destination country.
📝 You have the medication in its original packaging with a prescription label attached, as well as a doctor's note (if necessary).
💉 You've packed enough doses to cover the trip. That might mean ordering your next dose or repeat prescription ahead of time.
🧳 You've packed the medication safely and securely in your hand luggage, with the cap on.
🧊 You've got ice packs ready to keep the pen cool as you travel (if you're taking a new, unopened pen).
🏨 You've checked whether your accommodation has a refrigerator for any new, unopened pens.
📞 You've declared your medication with your travel insurer.

Are you a Semapen subscriber and are planning to go abroad this year? Please let our team know via WhatsApp or the SemaPen app. We can arrange to send additional doses to cover your trip if necessary.

Are you thinking of switching to another Wegovy or Mounjaro supplier? Join the Semapen community and you'll benefit from expert, tailored support and a host of helpful weight loss tools – including the unique Semapen app. Learn more about our weight loss programmes.

Sources

1. novoMEDLINK (n.d.) Resources: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://www.novomedlink.com/obesity/products/treatments/wegovy/resources/frequently-asked-questions.html

2. Eli Lilly (2024) How should patients store the Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) KwikPen® during transport and travel? Retrieved from https://medical.lilly.com/uk/products/answers/how-should-patients-store-the-mounjaro-tirzepatide-kwikpen-during-transport-and-travel-217602

This article was reviewed and approved by Lujain Alhassan, Bariatric Nutritionist, on 15 March 2026.

< Older Post

Newer Post >