Travelling with weight loss injections: Important information for your trip

Are you planning a holiday or a business trip, but wondering if you can take your weight loss injections with you? You usually can, but there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. For example, you might need access to a place to keep it cold enough during your journey, and a doctor's prescription or note to take with you.

Here, we’ve got you covered with all the tips, tricks, and checklists of travelling with your injection pen so you can rest easy on your journey.

There are plenty of things to think about before, during, and after getting from A to B with your weight loss injection pens. Here, let’s break down all the things you should consider at each stage of your journey:

Preparing to travel

What to do to make sure you’re prepared to travel:

✓ Request a follow-up prescription for your weight loss injection in good time and make sure you have any necessary extras (such as disposable needles).

✓ Get a doctor's prescription or a note so you can take the syringes with you on the plane. This will help prove why you need the medication and may be requested by security or customs.

✓ Familiarise yourself with things you may need at your holiday destination. For example, whether there are refrigeration options where you are staying to keep your injection pens below 30°C, or whether a doctor or pharmacist is available nearby to answer any questions or problems.

During your journey

Things to consider during your journey:

✓ Pack the weight loss injections in your hand luggage so you have them with you and avoid them getting damaged in the hold, especially as this can go to freezing temperatures, making your injection not safe or effective to use.

✓ If you're flying to your destination, it's best to check with your airline in advance about the regulations for transporting medication. Also, check the regulations of the country's security and customs authorities.

✓ Pack the weight loss injections in the original carton (including the package insert) in a transparent bag. Keep your prescription and/or doctor’s note handy during security checks.

✓ If you’re travelling somewhere hot and are worried the temperature will go above 30°C, a medication cooling bag is recommended. Make sure it remains stable and check that the ice packs do not come into direct contact with the medication (otherwise, the medication could freeze and become unusable).

✓ Store the weight loss injections both on arrival and at your destination at the temperatures described in the package leaflet (refrigerated or opened at below 30°C – never frozen).

On holiday

Things to think about while on holiday:

✓ Stick to your treatment plan regarding the frequency of your injections (weekly or daily) and the dose. Alarm clocks and reminder functions on your smartphone can help with this.

✓ Make sure you eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise while on your trip, as these will contribute to your weight loss success.

If you’re currently using a weight loss injection or considering treatment and are planning a trip, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the potential side effects to help you plan the best time to travel.

Digestive problems such as feeling sick, diarrhoea, or constipation usually occur at the beginning of treatment or after a dose increase. They usually improve and go away once your body adjusts to the treatment or the slightly larger dose of the active ingredient. For this reason, it's often helpful not to schedule travel times exactly on your chosen injection day or the first few days afterwards. This will give your body time to adjust.

You can also discuss increasing the dose later than planned with your doctor. It’s not a problem to stay at a lower dosage longer than stated in the dosage schedule, and you can increase your dose once you’re home. This is unlikely to cause your weight loss to stall, as long as you continue following a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise.

Whether you're flying, driving, or using public transport to reach your destination, proper preparation will help make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible and that you can take your weight loss injections with you without any problems.

Request a prescription before your trip

Remember to request a new prescription early if required, so that you have enough doses to last the entire duration of your trip and for when you get back. You should also make sure you have enough pen needles in advance.

The Wegovy and Mounjaro weight loss pens each contain 4 doses, which, when used weekly, last exactly 1 month. Speak to your doctor if you are travelling for longer, so they can issue enough medication for your trip.

➤ It is essential to continue your treatment as planned while you are away to get the most from your medication and so that you do not have to restart treatment on a lower dose. You can easily request a prescription for your weight loss medication through an online doctor service, such as ZAVA, by completing a short medical questionnaire.

Medication certificate for weight loss injections

Weight loss injections are prescription-only medications. Depending on the country you are travelling to, there are different regulations for importing such medications. To avoid problems during security checks, such as at the airport, and upon entry, like during customs inspections, it’s advisable to have your doctor issue a prescription certificate or doctor’s note in advance.

The document states, among other things, that the medication is intended for your personal use and for the specific purpose for which you need it. This certificate will make sure that you are permitted to take your medication with you on aeroplanes and abroad.

Before you travel: Check the local conditions

Before you start travelling, make sure you have answers to the following questions:

➤ Do I have the option to refrigerate weight loss injections in my accommodation if necessary?

➤ Do I have the login details for my ZAVA patient account ready in case I need to ask a question?

➤ Is there a doctor near my accommodation who could treat me on site if I have any questions?

In most cases, a call to the hotel or a local doctor's surgery is enough to get reassurance. Generally, medical care is not necessary while away. However, being prepared for all possible scenarios can help you relax.

It is particularly important if you are travelling long distances to understand the best way to travel with your medication to make sure it arrives safely and undamaged.

Weight loss injections – safely stowed in hand luggage

We recommend packing your weight loss injections and necessary accessories in your hand luggage, even if you do not need them directly during your journey. Proper transport of accessories is also important – containers made of hard plastic are recommended to reduce the risk of damage to needles.

Especially when travelling by plane, checked luggage can get lost or arrive late at your destination. By carrying weight loss pens in your hand luggage during a flight, you can also be sure that they remain at a stable temperature. Temperature changes are common in aeroplane luggage holds. If your pens freeze, they become unusable.

To be on the safe side, even if you have the weight loss pens in your hand luggage, you should check upon arrival whether the liquid still appears clear.

Travelling by plane? How to take weight loss injections on board

If you are planning a flight, check with the airline in advance about the regulations for bringing medication and accessories on board, such as the pen needles.

Unless otherwise stated by the airline, the following is recommended:

• leave the weight loss pens and pen needles, including the package leaflet, in their original packaging
• store the boxes in a clear bag or pouch in your carry-on luggage
• keep your doctor's medication certificate ready to show if needed

If you follow these tips, you can save time at the airport security checkpoints.

How do I store the weight loss injections while on holiday?

The general rules for storing weight loss injections are:

➤ If injection pens have already been opened, you can use them for:

• 6 weeks from opening for Wegovy
• 30 days for Mounjaro
• 1 month for Nevolat and other liraglutide injections

They must be stored below 30°C inside or outside of the fridge.

➤ If you have an unused pen, you should store it between 2 and 8°C. At your destination, it's best to use a fridge for this purpose. You can use a medication cooler bag during your journey. For longer car journeys, a small travel refrigerator is also a good idea.

➤ Be careful not to store the weight loss pens in a place that's too cold. Do not allow the pens to freeze. If this happens, they will no longer be suitable for use.

➤ Leave the injections in their original packaging with the cap on to protect them from light.

Make sure you also keep the injection pens out of reach of children. Further instructions on storing your specific weight loss medication can always be found in the package insert.

It’s important to continue using your weight loss injections as directed in your treatment plan. For Wegovy and Mounjaro, this means 1 injection per week, with dose increases every 4 weeks. If possible, you should not miss a dose, as this may reduce the effect and increase the likelihood of side effects when you restart.

Important: If you do not think you will be able to follow these instructions during your time away, please speak to your doctor in advance. If you stop using your weight loss injection for more than 2 weeks (Wegovy, Mounjaro) or more than 3 days (liraglutide), you must restart with the lowest starting dose. Your doctor can advise you on this.

If you are using Wegovy, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, for weight loss, it is important to continue injecting the medication once a week, even while on holiday. Increase the dosage as directed every 4 weeks or speak to your doctor about staying on the same dose for longer until you get back.

It's best to stick to the day of the week you've chosen so far to maintain your current routine. Since you do not have to inject Wegovy at a specific time of day, time differences while you are away are not a problem.

If you're using Wegovy while travelling, you should also pack appropriate disposable needles. For further information, see the package insert or ask your doctor.

If you are using Mounjaro, which contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, as a weight loss medication, you should stick to the agreed treatment plan and dosage schedule, even while you are away. This usually means injecting 1 dose per week and increasing the dosage every 4 weeks until you reach the maximum maintenance dose. Speak to your doctor if you’d rather wait to increase your dose until you come back.

You can use Mounjaro at any time of day, which is an advantage when travelling to countries with a time difference. However, it's recommended that you stick to a fixed day of the week, for example, by marking it on your calendar.

Remember: you need specified pen needles for using Mounjaro, so be sure to bring these with you when travelling. Read more about this in the package insert. Your doctor can also advise you.

If you are going on holiday or flying and taking Nevolat, a generic version of liraglutide (formerly Saxenda), with you, there are a few things to keep in mind that are different from travelling with other weight loss injections.

With liraglutide, you’ll inject a dose every day. The dosage is initially increased weekly for 5 weeks, and you should stick to this treatment schedule as much as possible, even while on holiday or travelling. An alarm clock or reminder function on your smartphone is particularly helpful with liraglutide injections, so that you do not forget to use it while travelling.

Ideally, the injections should always be given at approximately the same time every day. If your destination is in a different time zone, it is recommended to continue the injections according to British time if possible. If you need to change the time of your dose, speak to your doctor about how to do this safely, as you should not take 2 doses in 1 day.

To use liraglutide, you need specified disposable needles, which you insert into the pen. Before your trip, make sure you get enough needles and bring them with you. The package insert tells you which disposable needles are suitable for your weight loss pen. If you have any questions, please consult your doctor.

To maximise your weight loss goals and reduce the likelihood of side effects from weight loss injections, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise are also important while you’re away.

However, we understand that when you’re out of your usual daily routine, sticking to your new routines since starting your weight loss journey can be hard. The following tips can help you to stay on track while you are travelling:

1. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in warmer climates. Water is a good choice, and you can spice it up with something like fresh fruit or a slice of lemon if you prefer a more flavourful option.
2. Avoid alcohol, if possible. Firstly, alcoholic beverages are high in calories, which can make weight loss more difficult. Secondly, many people tolerate alcohol less in hot weather, making side effects or illness more likely, which could impact the enjoyment of your holiday. Plus, alcohol can strain the digestive system and cause gastrointestinal side effects, especially feeling or being sick, stomach pain, and diarrhoea.
3. Choose lighter meal options. Many countries have regional delicacies that pair well with a healthy diet and a weight loss programme. Try local fish dishes with vegetables or light salads, for example.
4. Regional fruit makes a healthy and delicious snack between meals, and is more refreshing than heavier snacks like crisps, biscuits, and pastries.
5. Combine your activities with regular exercise. Instead of taking the bus, consider exploring the city on foot or renting a bicycle. If you like to go to the gym, many hotels have a free gym to access, or there may be a local gym that you can get a pass for.
6. Many destinations are best explored when you're active. A hiking tour, for example, allows you to enjoy nature, switch off from everyday life, and do something good for your body. Alternatively, take advantage of using a swimming pool or accessing the sea for some outdoor swimming.
7. Some hotels offer free exercise classes, such as aqua aerobics or yoga. Travelling offers a great opportunity to try new sports. You might discover an activity you'll want to continue at home.

• Liraglutide, NICE/British National Formulary [accessed 08 September 2025]
• Mounjaro KwikPen 10mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen, emc [accessed 08 September 2025]
• Nevolat, emc [accessed 08 September 2025]
• Obesity treatment, NHS [accessed 08 September 2025]
• Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen, emc [accessed 08 September 2025]