Understanding Mounjaro® and refrigeration

If you’ve heard about Mounjaro® for weight loss, you might be wondering how it works and how to store it properly. Mounjaro contains a medication called tirzepatide, originally developed to help people manage type 2 diabetes by helping the body lower blood sugar more effectively. It does this by mimicking natural hormones that regulate insulin and slow digestion.

Mounjaro was approved by the FDA for weight loss because it can also help reduce appetite and delay stomach emptying. When paired with lifestyle changes, it can be a helpful tool for your weight loss goals. 

Since Mounjaro is given as a weekly injection (usually with four pens per box), you’ll likely have extras on hand at any given time. That raises an important practical question: How should you store it between doses? And what if you’re traveling or your fridge is acting up?

Let’s walk through everything you need to know about keeping your Mounjaro safe, effective, and ready when you need it.

Does Mounjaro (tirzepatide) need to be refrigerated?

Unopened Mounjaro pens should be stored in the refrigerator, ideally between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C). This keeps the medication stable and effective until you’re ready to use it.

Once you start using a pen, it can stay at room temperature (up to 86°F or 30°C) for up to 21 days. After that, it should be thrown away, even if there’s medicine left. While this might seem wasteful, there’s a good reason for it. Heat and time can break down the active ingredients, making the dose less effective or, in rare cases, unsafe.

A few practical tips:

• Keep unused pens in their original box in the fridge—this also protects them from light, which can degrade the medication.
• If cold injections bother you, take the pen you plan to use out of the fridge about 30 minutes before your dose to let it warm slightly. But never speed this up with warm water, a microwave, or direct sunlight. 
• Never refreeze a pen or store it in a freezer. (We’ll cover that in more detail below).

Does Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) expire?

Like any medication, Mounjaro does expire. The expiration date printed on the box applies only if the pens have been stored correctly and are unopened. Always check this date before using the pens. That’s your safety net.

Once a pen is in use and kept at room temperature, it’s good for 21 days max, regardless of what the printed expiration says. After that, it’s safest to discard it.

Using expired or improperly stored Mounjaro won’t just reduce its effectiveness; it could mean you’re not getting the full benefit for your diabetes or weight goals. When in doubt, it’s always better to replace it.

Can I store Mounjaro in the freezer?

You should never freeze Mounjaro. Freezing it can permanently damage the structure of the medication, making it ineffective or potentially unsafe to inject.

If you notice your refrigerator is running unusually cold (e.g., below 36°F), check your pens for signs of freezing, like cloudiness or crystals in the liquid. If you see any, do not use them. When possible, avoid storing your Mounjaro in the refrigerator door or near the freezer compartment. Instead, storing Mounjaro on a middle shelf in your refrigerator can help avoid temperature swings.

What to do if your Mounjaro was exposed to heat

Maybe you’re on summer vacation and driving to the beach with your Mounjaro in the glove compartment. Or perhaps you’ve accidentally left your medication out in front of a sunlit window as a reminder to take it later. Prolonged exposure to heat can compromise the quality of your medication. If your Mounjaro has been left out longer than 21 days or exposed to temperatures above 86°F (30°C), it’s safest to discard it.

Keeping your Mounjaro in the fridge until you’re ready to use it can help ensure it stays effective and safe. It can be helpful to set reminders on your smartphone to take your medication on time. 

While it’s hard to throw away something you’re relying on, your health comes first. Heat exposure can alter the medicine in ways you can’t see, so visual inspection isn’t always enough. If this happens, contact your provider to discuss next steps or a replacement.

Tips for traveling with Mounjaro

You can absolutely travel with Mounjaro. You just need to do a little planning. Depending on your mode of transportation and where you’re traveling, you might need to pack some paperwork and take some extra steps to be sure your medication safely makes the trip with you. 

Here are a few tips for traveling with Mounjaro to keep in mind. 

By air:

• Keep your pens in your carry-on bag. Never store them in checked luggage, as the cargo hold can get too cold or hot.
• Store them in their original box, complete with a pharmacy label on it. Bring your prescription or a doctor’s note. This speeds up security.
• Mounjaro is considered a medically necessary liquid, so it’s exempt from the standard 3.4-ounce rule. Just let a TSA officer know you have the medication with you prior to screening. 
• If you’re concerned about X-ray exposure, you can request a hand inspection. Just ask politely at the checkpoint.
  

By car or train:

• Use a small travel cooler or an insulated medical bag with a cool pack. Make sure ice does not directly touch the pens.
• In hot climates, get your pens into a fridge as soon as you reach your destination. Don’t leave them in a parked car, even for a short time.
  

Before any trip, a quick chat with your provider can help you prepare. They might even have sample travel kits or extra advice based on your routine.

Get Mounjaro treatment with QuickMD

If you’re working toward sustainable weight loss, Mounjaro can be a game-changer when paired with thoughtful medical guidance and supervision. If you’re thinking about exploring Mounjaro or other weight loss medications, a licensed provider can help you weigh the benefits and risks based on your personal and family medical history. 

That’s where QuickMD comes in. We offer easy, virtual visits with licensed, experienced providers who listen first and treat thoughtfully. We know that not everyone has the ability to book in-person visits for any number of reasons, from a lack of transportation to mobility issues. Our approach eliminates long wait times and offers compassionate, personalized care from the comfort of home.