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Keeping Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound pens safe in winter and on trips to the US

What the Canadian labels say about cold and heat, how a pen can freeze in a Canadian winter, the airport rules, and the 90-day limits on both sides of the border.

GLP Guidebook teamPublished 12 Oct 20265 min read15 sourcesWritten from published sources

Written for Canada. Other country versions are coming.

The short answer

Never let a pen freeze: the Canadian labels say a frozen pen must not be used. Unused pens go in the fridge at 2 to 8°C. Once in use, Ozempic and Wegovy FlexTouch pens last 8 weeks below 30°C, and a Zepbound KwikPen 30 days. Fly with pens in your carry-on, and bring home no more than a 90-day supply.

Key takeaways

  • The Canadian labels for Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro all say not to freeze the pen and not to use it if it has been frozen.1,2,3,4
  • Once in use, an Ozempic or Wegovy FlexTouch pen can be kept below 30°C for up to 8 weeks; a Zepbound KwikPen for up to 30 days.1,2,3
  • CATSA lets liquid prescription medicines through security in amounts over 100 ml, as long as they’re declared separately to the screening officer.5
  • The FDA says foreign visitors may bring a 90-day supply of their own medicines into the US.6
  • Health Canada generally lets residents bring home prescription drugs prescribed and filled in Canada, up to a 90-day supply or one course of treatment.7
On this page
  1. What do the Canadian labels say about cold and heat?
  2. How could a pen freeze in a Canadian winter?
  3. What if a pen has frozen?
  4. Can you take pens through airport security in Canada?
  5. What about crossing into the US?
  6. What can you bring back into Canada?
  7. Questions people ask
  8. How we researched this

What do the Canadian labels say about cold and heat?

All of them say the same about cold: don’t freeze the pen, and don’t use it if it has frozen. The heat limit once in use is 30°C.1,2,3,4

Before you go further
  • GLP‑1 medicines are prescription-only in Canada.8
  • Storage facts come from the Canadian product monographs (the official labels). Pack leaflets can change, so check yours.
  • Rules at your destination can differ from Canada’s. Check before you go.7
PenBefore first useOnce in use
OzempicFridge, 2 to 8°C; never frozen18 weeks below 30°C, or in the fridge1
Generic semaglutide (Dr. Reddy’s)Fridge, 2 to 8°C; never frozen98 weeks at 15 to 30°C, or in the fridge9
Wegovy FlexTouch (multi-use)Fridge, 2 to 8°C; never frozen28 weeks below 30°C, or in the fridge2
Wegovy single-use penFridge, 2 to 8°C2If needed, below 30°C for a total of 28 days before the cap comes off2
Zepbound KwikPenFridge, 2 to 8°C; never frozen3If needed, up to 30 days unrefrigerated, not above 30°C3
Mounjaro KwikPenFridge, 2 to 8°C; never frozen4If needed, up to 30 days unrefrigerated, not above 30°C4
SaxendaFridge, 2 to 8°C; never frozen1030 days at room temperature, not above 30°C, or in the fridge10

Canadian product monographs, section 11, checked 12 Oct 2026. Check the leaflet in your own pack.

The Ozempic label also says to keep pens away from the fridge’s cooling element, and to store them without a needle attached.1 The Dr. Reddy’s generic gives its in-use range as 15 to 30°C, not just “below 30°C”.9

How could a pen freeze in a Canadian winter?

Anywhere it sits below 0°C for long enough. The labels don’t mention winter; the examples below are our practical reading of “do not freeze”.1

  • A parked car. A pen left in a glovebox or bag overnight sits at the outdoor temperature.
  • Deliveries. A parcel left on a porch or in a mailbox in sub-zero weather. Ask how a delivered pen is kept cold but not frozen.
  • The back of the fridge. The labels warn to keep pens away from the cooling element, where food can freeze.1,2
  • Outdoor days. An in-use pen in an outer pocket on a ski hill or ice-fishing trip.

The in-use pen doesn’t need a fridge for weeks, so it can stay indoors at room temperature.1,3 The same care applies to heat: a car in summer, or a trip south, can pass 30°C.1

What if a pen has frozen?

Don’t use it. The Canadian labels for Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound and Mounjaro all say a frozen pen must not be used, even after it thaws.1,2,3,4

  1. Set the pen aside, and keep it with its box.
  2. Tell the pharmacy that supplied it.
  3. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist about the dose you’ll miss.

Missed doses. The labels give a window:

  • Ozempic: take it within 5 days of the missed day; after that, skip it and go back to your usual day.1
  • Zepbound: within 4 days (96 hours); after that, skip it.3
  • Wegovy (Canadian label): take it if the next dose is at least 2 days (48 hours) away; if it’s closer, skip it.2

The Wegovy label adds that after more than 2 missed doses in a row, a prescriber may restart the dose steps to reduce stomach side effects.2

Can you take pens through airport security in Canada?

Yes. CATSA exempts liquid prescription medicines from the 100 ml limit, and allows syringes for personal medical use with the needle guard on.5,11

  • Declare them. Liquid medicines must be declared separately to the screening officer.5
  • Labels help. CATSA recommends a printed pharmacy or maker’s label on the medicine.5
  • Needles. You must have the medicine the needles are for.11
  • Ice and gel packs are exempt from the liquid limits when they’re cooling medication.12
  • Carry-on, not checked. The Government of Canada advises keeping all medicines and medical supplies in your carry-on.13

Pack ice packs so they don’t touch the pen: a pen that freezes against one can’t be used.1

Free toolQuestions to ask before you travel

A printable list for your prescriber: travel letter, supplies and missed doses. No sign-up.

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What about crossing into the US?

The FDA says foreign visitors may bring or ship a 90-day supply of their own medicines while in the US.6

The Government of Canada advises carrying:13

  • medicines in their original, labelled containers;
  • a copy of the prescription with the generic and brand names (for example, semaglutide and Ozempic);
  • a doctor’s note explaining why you take them.

It also suggests checking the destination country’s rules with its government office in Canada.13

What can you bring back into Canada?

Generally, prescription drugs that were prescribed and filled in Canada, up to a 90-day supply or one course of treatment, whichever is less.7

  • Packaging: in the pharmacy’s dispensed package, the original retail package, or with the original label attached.7
  • Prescription copy: Health Canada recommends carrying one when you travel.7
  • Bought abroad: Canadian residents generally can’t bring in prescription drugs bought outside Canada, with narrow exceptions, such as treatment that had to start while abroad.7

The Government of Canada warns that medicines abroad could be counterfeit or fall short of Canadian standards.13 Our post on the rules across the border covers the US side.

Get help now: call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for severe stomach pain that won’t go away; the Canadian labels say to get immediate medical help.2 If you think you injected too much, call a poison centre on 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669), or 1-800-463-5060 in Quebec.14 For advice that isn’t an emergency, call 811 in most provinces (Info-Santé 811 in Quebec).15

Questions people ask

Can Ozempic freeze in the car?

Yes, if the car is below 0°C long enough. The label says never to freeze Ozempic and not to use it if it has frozen.1

How long can Ozempic be out of the fridge?

Once in use, up to 8 weeks below 30°C, says the Canadian label. Unused pens go in the fridge.1

How long can Zepbound be out of the fridge?

If needed, a KwikPen can be kept unrefrigerated, not above 30°C, for up to 30 days.3

Can I take my Ozempic pen on a plane in Canada?

Yes. CATSA exempts prescription liquids from the 100 ml limit; declare them at screening.5

How much medicine can I bring back to Canada?

Generally up to a 90-day supply or one course of treatment, if it was prescribed and filled in Canada.7

How long can Ozempic be out of the fridge? and Where do I get rid of used pens in Canada?

How we researched this

On 12 Oct 2026 we read the storage and missed-dose sections of the Canadian labels for Ozempic, the Dr. Reddy’s generic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro and Saxenda, CATSA’s pages on medication, syringes and ice packs, travel.gc.ca on medication, Health Canada’s personal-import guidance and the FDA’s personal-importation page.

The labels don’t mention winter; the examples of how a pen could freeze are our reading of “do not freeze”. We name no cool bag, case or seller.

Before you move on

  • A pen that has frozen can’t be used, even after it thaws.
  • Once in use, Ozempic lasts 8 weeks below 30°C; Zepbound 30 days.
  • Fly with pens in your carry-on and declare them at screening.
  • Bring back no more than a 90-day supply filled in Canada.
I’m already taking oneSide effects and risksDoctor questions tool

More from the Canada blog

CACanadaCan Americans buy Ozempic in Canada? CACanadaSwitching from Ozempic to a generic CACanadaStopping a GLP-1 in Canada
About GLP Guidebook

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An independent guide to GLP‑1 medicines. We don't sell medicines, take drug-company money or earn clinic commissions. Once a month: coverage changes, approvals, safety notices and recalls. How we write

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Sources

  1. Novo Nordisk Canada. Ozempic (semaglutide injection) product monograph (the Canadian label), date of authorization 13 July 2026. Sections 1, 4.4, 4.5, 11 and patient information. pdf.hres.ca
  2. Novo Nordisk Canada. Wegovy (semaglutide injection) product monograph, date of authorization 2 October 2026. Sections 1, 2, 4.4, 4.5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14 and patient information. pdf.hres.ca
  3. Eli Lilly Canada. Zepbound (tirzepatide injection) product monograph, date of authorization 11 June 2026. Sections 1, 4.4, 4.5, 8, 11, 14. pdf.hres.ca
  4. Eli Lilly Canada. Mounjaro (tirzepatide injection) product monograph, date of authorization 23 June 2026. Sections 1 and 11. pdf.hres.ca
  5. Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). Liquid and gel-based prescription medication. Page modified 22 December 2022. catsa-acsta.gc.ca
  6. US Food and Drug Administration. Personal importation (“In most circumstances, it is illegal for individuals to import drugs or devices into the U.S. for personal use”; foreign visitors may bring a 90-day supply). Content current as of 18 August 2025. fda.gov
  7. Health Canada. Bringing health products into Canada for personal use (GUI-0116). Updated 13 July 2026. canada.ca
  8. Health Canada. Drug Product Database: product records and status for semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide products (all on the prescription schedule; generic semaglutide products from Dr. Reddy’s and Apotex marketed in May 2026; Sevmia, Aspen and Sandoz products approved but not marketed). Searched 12 October 2026. health-products.canada.ca
  9. Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Semaglutide Injection product monograph, date of authorization 28 April 2026. Sections 6, 11 and instructions for use. pdf.hres.ca
  10. Novo Nordisk Canada. Saxenda (liraglutide injection) product monograph, date of authorization 10 September 2025. Sections 1 and 11. pdf.hres.ca
  11. CATSA. Syringes (“needle guard must be in place”). Opened 12 October 2026. catsa-acsta.gc.ca
  12. CATSA. Ice packs (exempt from the liquid limits when used for medically necessary items and medication). Page modified 22 December 2022. catsa-acsta.gc.ca
  13. Government of Canada. Travelling with medication (travel.gc.ca). Page modified 28 August 2026. travel.gc.ca
  14. Health Canada. Canada launches new toll-free 1-844 POISON-X number for poison centres (Quebec keeps the Centre antipoison du Québec, 1-800-463-5060). News release, 20 March 2023. canada.ca
  15. Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Medical services by phone (811 lines by province, including Info-Santé 811 in Quebec). Opened 12 October 2026. heartandstroke.ca

Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Next review due 12 Oct 2027 · Report an error

How this post was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above. It's general information, not medical, legal or tax advice. Talk to a qualified doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. How we write