Traveling with Your GLP-1 Medication

About This Guide

This guide is for people who take a GLP-1 medicine for weight or blood sugar. It covers two kinds: shots (taken once a week) and pills (taken once a day). Some tips are only for shots. Watch for the headings that say “If you take a shot” or “If you take a pill” so you know what is for you.

Which Medicine Do You Take?

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At the Airport (TSA & Security)

You can bring all GLP-1 medicine through airport security (shots and pills). Airport X-ray machines will not hurt your medicine. You can send your medicine through the belt, or you can ask for a hand check. Both are fine.

If you take a shot (injection)

Your shot is a liquid, but the “3.4-ounce liquid rule” does not apply to it. It is medicine you need. You do not need any special form.

• Tell the officer. Let the security officer know you have medicine with you.
• Keep your needles with your medicine. New, unused needles are allowed.
• Pack used needles in a sharps container. This is a hard plastic container that needles cannot poke through. It has a lid that snaps shut.

If you take a pill (tablet)

Pills are easy. Just keep them in the bottle they came in, with the label. The liquid rule does not apply, and there are no needles to worry about.

💡 Need extra help?  If you are bringing more than a 30-day supply, or if you need extra help at the checkpoint, call TSA Cares. Call at least 3 days (72 hours) before your flight. 
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TSA Cares: 1-855-787-2227.

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Temperature & Storage

If you take a shot (injection)

Never pack your shot in a checked bag. The bottom of the plane (the cargo hold) can get cold enough to freeze it. Freezing ruins the medicine. A frozen pen may look fine, but it will not work. Always keep your shot in your carry-on bag.

Before you open it, your shot should stay in the fridge.

After you take it out of the fridge or use it for the first time, it can stay at room temperature for a set number of days. Room temperature means up to 86°F (30°C).

After this many days, do not use the pen — even if there is medicine left. Throw it away.

Airport X-ray machines will not hurt your medicine. You can send your pen through the belt, or you can ask for a hand check. Both are fine.

If you take a pill (Wegovy pill or Foundayo)

Pills are easier to store. Keep them at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). Keep them in the bottle they came in, with the lid on. This keeps out light and water. Pills do not need the fridge.

Do not leave your pills in a hot car or a steamy bathroom. When flying, keep them in your carry-on bag so they stay with you and do not get too hot or lost.

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What to Pack

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Dosing Across Time Zones

If you take a shot (once a week)

All of the shots are taken once a week. That gives you some room to move your shot day. Moving it by a day or two is usually fine. Before a long trip, send a message to your Onsera care team with your travel dates and your normal shot day. We will help you make a plan. 

If you take the Wegovy pill (once a day)

Take the Wegovy pill first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Use only a small sip of plain water. Wait at least 30 minutes before you eat, drink anything else, or take other pills. When you change time zones, pick a morning time in the new place and keep taking one pill each day.

If you take Foundayo (once a day)

Take one Foundayo pill a day. You can take it at any time of day, with or without food or water. Pick a time that is easy to remember, and keep taking it once a day while you travel.

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International Travel

Each country has unique guidelines regarding the transport of medications. Please research the requirements for your destination prior to your departure to ensure a smooth trip.

International Documentation Checklist

• Original prescription label from your medicine.
• Physician letter in English (and a translated copy if you need one).
• A copy of all your papers saved on your phone, so you can see them with no internet.If you take a shot: a place to keep your medicine cold where you are staying. If traveling to the Middle East, Gulf countries, or Southeast Asia: Check the local embassy or health ministry website for specific medication rules.

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Throwing Away Needles and Feeling Your Best 

Throwing away needles (shots only). 

Used needles can not go in the regular trash in most places. This is the law in most U.S. states and in many countries. Use your travel sharps container for the whole trip. Put all used needles in it. The pen body itself can go in regular trash once empty.

Travel can make GLP-1 side effects worse. The air on the plane is very dry. Big meals eaten fast can upset your stomach. These tips help with both shots and pills: 

• Drink Water Often 
  Do not wait until you feel thirsty. Plane air dries you out fast.
• Eat small meals slowly
  This medicine slows down how fast your stomach empties. Big, fast meals can make you feel sick
• Go easy on alcohol
  Alcohol can hit you faster when you fly. This medicine can also change how your body handles it. 
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Contact Your Care Team if:

• You need an early refill of your medicine before your trip.
• You want to change your shot day for a long trip or due to a time change. You are not sure when to take your pill while crossing time zones.
• Your stomach feels worse than usual while you travel.  
• You are traveling to another country and are not sure about the medicine rules. 
• You need a doctor’s letter for your trip.

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_{This handout is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice from your healthcare provider. Always consult your Onsera care team before making changes to your medications or treatment plan.}