The summer holiday season is upon us and we’re all dreaming of a sunny getaway! If you’re using our weight loss service, then there’s a little extra planning this year other than checking your passport hasn’t expired or picking up your currency. It’s essential to coordinate your weight loss treatment schedule and understand the do’s and don’ts of travelling abroad with medication. Our expert team have shared their top tips & guidance for a stress-free holiday.
1. Check your dates
Plan ahead by working out if you have enough doses left in your current pen to last through your holiday and until you’re back home.
This is one area where it's worth knowing your specific pen. Weight loss pens aren't all packaged the same way:
- Mounjaro (KwikPen) typically contains 4 doses per pen, taken once weekly, so one pen usually covers a full month.
- Wegovy (FlexTouch) pens typically have 4 doses per pen, but the 7.2mg solution is provided in a single dose pen. For the 7.2mg pen, each is used once and then discarded, so a multi-week trip may mean packing several individual pens rather than one if you are on the highest Wegovy dose.
Check your calendar to see how many doses you have left and when your next order date is due.
You can re-order your weight loss pen from 15 days after the successful clinical approval of your current pen. If you think you may run out, contact our Patient Care team to discuss your options.
2. Should you pause your treatment for your trip?
It's a common question, particularly around a holiday where you know you'll be eating and drinking differently. You can take a pause, but there are two things worth understanding before you do.
First, you won't get the "break" you might be picturing. These medications have a long half-life, so even if you skip a dose before you fly, there will still be some in your system for the trip. Your appetite will still be suppressed, and you may still get side effects if you overdo it, so the pause doesn't work quite the way people expect.
Second, your appetite will return — and it can happen mid-holiday, which catches some people out if they're not expecting it.
If the reason for pausing is to plan a blow-out while you're away, it's worth asking yourself whether you'd still do that once you reach your goal weight. If the answer is no, the holiday is a chance to practise the habits you're building, not a break from them.
If you're considering pausing or adjusting your treatment schedule around travel, speak to our Patient Care team or your prescriber beforehand. This isn't a decision to make alone based on general guidance, since it depends on your individual treatment plan.
3. Get your paperwork in order
The UK Government advises people travelling outside of the UK to carry physical proof that any medication they’re travelling with is prescribed to them. This should be in the form of a letter or a copy of your signed prescription. We can provide this if you contact our Patient Care team in good time before your departure date. Please allow at least 7 days’ notice so we can arrange this. You should then pack a physical copy alongside your medication.
4. Understand the rules
UK Government rules on travelling with medication should be followed at all times and it’s also essential to check the rules of your specific airline and airport. It’s worth noting that your destination country may also have different rules for certain medications, including GLP-1 and GIP-based weight loss medications, regardless of which brand you've been prescribed. It’s your responsibility to understand and follow the rules for your destination. Read the UK Government’s country A-Z foreign travel advice for current rules and guidance.
5. Flying with your weight loss pen
Weight loss pens, including Mounjaro and Wegovy, can be carried in hand luggage as medically necessary items, and airlines generally allow this even though the medication is a liquid over the usual 100ml limit. A few things to have ready, regardless of which pen you use:
- Pack it in your hand luggage, not hold luggage. Hold luggage can go missing and is subject to freezing in the plane hold, which can damage any of these medications.
- Keep it in its original packaging so it can be easily identified by airport staff and border control.
- Carry your prescription letter or signed prescription copy alongside your medication.
- Check with your airline in advance if you're unsure about their specific policy on carrying medical liquids, pens, or needles.
6. Pack your medication properly
It’s vital to make sure you pack your weight loss medication properly for travelling, – especially if you’ll be flying. Again, make sure you always check with your airline for specific information.
- You should always pack your weight loss medication in your hand luggage. Hold luggage can unfortunately go missing and is subject to freezing while in the plane hold. Read more about which medical items are allowed in your hand luggage.
- Keep your medication in its original packaging so that it can be easily identified by airport staff and border control.
- If you’ve not started using your weight loss pen, then it needs to be kept cool whilst you’re travelling. You can use a compact cool bag and line it with the cooling gel packs and Woolcool packaging that we sent your medication in.
- If you’ve already started using your weight loss pen, then it can be transported at room temperature up to 30°C. But be careful to keep it out of bright light and away from direct sources of heat.
For extra peace of mind, retailers such as BreezyPacks and FRIO offer a range of specially designed temperature-controlled travel pouches*.
7. Store your medication safely while abroad
Both medications need refrigeration before first use, and both can be kept at room temperature for a period once in use, but the exact number of days differs, so it's worth knowing which applies to you rather than assuming:
- Mounjaro (KwikPen), once in use: can be stored unrefrigerated for up to 30 days, as long as the temperature stays below 30°C.
- Wegovy (FlexTouch), once in use: can be stored unrefrigerated for up to 6 weeks,, as long as the temperature stays between 8°C and 30°C.
For both weight loss pens:
- Before first use, keep the pen refrigerated at 2–8°C.
- Never freeze it: a pen that has frozen, even briefly, must be discarded, regardless of remaining doses.
- Keep it out of direct light and heat; store it in its original carton where possible.
- Check your specific patient information leaflet if you're unsure, storage windows can also vary between different pen types of the same medication (for example, single-dose versus multi-dose presentations), so don't assume your pen follows the same rule as a friend's.
Check in advance that your accommodation has a private fridge, and you can cheaply buy a digital fridge thermometer to make sure the temperature range is suitable.
8. What if your pen is lost, stolen, or damaged abroad?
This is one of the most common worries people have about travelling with a weight loss pen, so it's worth planning for even if it never happens:
- Contact our Patient Care team as soon as possible. Let us know what's happened so we can advise on your options, including whether an early re-order is appropriate given your circumstances.
- Keep a note of your prescription details (medication name, dose, and prescriber) somewhere separate from the pen itself, such as in your phone or email, in case you need to explain your situation to a pharmacy or clinician abroad.
- Don't attempt to use a pen you suspect has been damaged, frozen, or overheated. If in doubt, don't inject, get in touch with us or a local pharmacist for advice before using it.
- If your pen is stolen, it's worth reporting this to local police, particularly if you need documentation for insurance or to support an early re-order request.
- Travel insurance: check whether your policy covers prescription medication before you travel, as this varies between providers and isn't something Phlo Clinic can advise on directly.
Travelling with your weight loss pen takes a little extra preparation, but following the official guidance can make it hassle-free so you can get on with enjoying your trip. Visit our weight loss help centre for more top tips and insights.
Helpful UK Government travel links
Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports
General travelling abroad advice
Country A-Z foreign travel advice
National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC)
References
Novo Nordisk Medical (2026). GLP-1 RAs Storage & Stability. Available at: https://www.novonordiskmedical.com/product-information/storage-and-stability/glp-1-ras.html
Lilly UK Medical Information (2026). How should the Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) KwikPen® be stored? Available at: https://medical.lilly.com/uk/products/answers/how-should-the-mounjaro-tirzepatide-kwikpen-be-stored-217607
* Phlo Clinic isn’t affiliated with any 3rd party medical retail brands and is not liable for the efficacy of their products.
