How to Travel with Mounjaro: Guide & Tips

If you’re taking Mounjaro, planning a trip away and are unsure what to do, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. We’ve put together a checklist for all the things you may need, to ensure both you and your medication stay safe on your travels.

1. Carry-on bag

Take a carry-on bag with you to store your medication in. It is a risk to put your Mounjaro medication in with your checked luggage – the compartments that checked baggage is stored in undergoes changes to temperature and pressure that may alter the effectiveness of or even damage your medication. It can get very cold and may freeze and unfreeze the liquid in the pen, making Mounjaro unsafe to take.

When going through security your medication and needles should be stored in a clear, plastic bag out of your hand luggage. If you have any specific queries about carry-on luggage and medication, speak with your airline provider.

2. Prescription and/or Doctor’s note

At airport security, you will need to declare your medication.

So, when travelling with Mounjaro, we recommend that you keep the medication in its original packaging with the prescription label attached. To be safe, it is also recommended to bring a doctor’s note. This will help you get through security quickly, as you will be able to provide swift identification information as you go through.

Always take the patient information leaflet with you, which should come with your medication.

Will the X-rays at airport security affect Mounjaro?

X-rays at airport security are not known to affect tirzepatide (Mounjaro). If you have any specific queries about this, speak with a pharmacist or doctor, or contact security at the airport you are departing from.

3. Cool bag or ice pack

If you are worried about temperature changes on your travels (i.e. on the flight, or if you are going by train or car) we recommend you invest in a cool bag designed for carrying medications on the go.

This way, when you don’t have access to a fridge, you will be able to ensure you can maintain the correct temperature for your Mounjaro medication. Plus, you aren’t restricted to using it within 30 days as per the guidelines for unrefrigerated Mounjaro, as long as the place you’re staying also has a refrigerator.

4. Refrigerator in the hotel/place you’re staying

Your Mounjaro medication will need to be kept within the requirements stated in the patient information leaflet.

Mounjaro can either be stored:

• in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). You must not freeze Mounjaro.
• unrefrigerated (so long as it is not above 30°C) for up to 30 days. If it has been longer than 30 days since it reached more than 8°C, or it has reached over 30°C, you must throw it away.

For the safety of this medication, we recommend phoning ahead to the place you are staying to check whether access to a refrigerator is possible. If it is, make sure to check the temperature, as some refrigerators vary.

Access to a fridge is not always possible on your travels, so it may be helpful to track the hours your pen has been out of the fridge and the expiration date. As Mounjaro is taken once a week, you’ll usually be able to use it before the 30-day expiration, unless you’re away for a long time or you miss a dose.

If you are planning to take a trip longer than 30 days, speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice about Mounjaro if you have any concerns.

5. Your Mounjaro pens

Make sure you pack enough Mounjaro pens for your trip. Try not to pack more than you need, as if any issues arise with storage when away they may spoil.

If you will be changing your Mounjaro dose while you are away, be sure that you pack enough of the next higher dose up from your current treatment dosage.

If you are unsure about dosage and how much medication you may require for your circumstances when abroad, speak with a doctor or pharmacist.

6. Needles

Don’t forget to pack the number of needles you’ll need for each weekly injection, then a few spares just in case one of your needles becomes bent, damaged or unsealed. These should be stored with your Mounjaro pen/s.

You can get a small, travel-size sharps bin to safely dispose of your needles while you’re away which fits inside a handbag or backpack. Some local pharmacies (depending on the country) may dispose of it for you before you come home. Some hotels can also help with the disposal of used sharps bins.

Check with your travel company about their rules on travelling with used needles and sharps bins as they can provide further information.

Before you travel with medication internationally, we recommend that you check the medical regulations of the country you are visiting.

Some countries do not permit certain medications or certain medication amounts within their borders. You may need to bring documentation, such as a medical certificate for your medication to be permitted, so it’s safest to check beforehand.

If you have any concerns about taking Mounjaro abroad, or your dosage when it comes to travelling, speak with your doctor or a pharmacist.

For Mounjaro to remain effective and safe to use, it needs to be refrigerated (stored between 2°C and 8°C). It can be stored unrefrigerated so long as it is not above 8°C for longer than 30 days and it doesn’t go above 30°C. If it has been kept under these conditions, you must throw it away.

When storing Mounjaro safely on the go, it is best to keep it in a cool bag. In general, inside the 30-day window, where possible be sure to keep Mounjaro:

• in the shade and away from direct sunlight
• outside of the bathroom or cooking area to avoid fluctuations in temperature

You must speak with your doctor if you have any questions about how to best store Mounjaro safely before you travel. They can offer advice on maintaining the medication’s condition.

What happens if I have a dose change whilst I’m away?

When being treated with Mounjaro, you may be initially prescribed 2.5mg by your doctor, but this can be increased to a maximum maintenance dose of 15mg. You may be following a dosing schedule for Mounjaro and your doctor should advise you on how and when to change the dose (which is usually every 4 weeks).

If you’re in the middle of increasing your dose, you must make sure you plan ahead before you travel. Check that you have packed enough medication for your current dose, and the next higher dose.

It is important to sustain a balanced diet when taking Mounjaro so that the treatment works effectively. When on holiday, or away from home, it is easy to slip out of routines, or perhaps be in situations where you may not be able to access your usual go-to foods.

So, when away, be mindful and sure to:

Avoid processed foods and sugars

Limit the amount of processed foods, drinks and sugar you consume (like fizzy drinks, crisps, biscuits, and so on). Instead, seek out a range of whole foods and protein (like meat, fish, dairy, whole grains, and so on).

Keep hydrated

Make sure to drink enough water on your travels to maintain proper hydration levels. This is also essential for weight loss.

Stay balanced

Ensure your meals have the necessary foods that make a balanced diet. Try to maintain your smaller portion sizes to support the effectiveness of your weight loss treatment. We recommend that you speak with a doctor or nutritionist about the best approach for this.

Plan ahead

Take a look at what sort of food will be available to you on your journey so that you can think ahead about what to eat. It’s also useful to pack healthy snacks in case you are hungry as you travel.

We recommend you speak to a healthcare professional for personalised advice about calorie intake and diet while travelling.

For more general guidance on nutrition and keeping a balanced diet, the NHS also provides information on eating well in their EatWell Guide.

How do I manage my exercise when away?

Mounjaro works better when following an exercise plan. Don’t worry, there are many ways you can keep on top of your physical fitness when travelling:

• Pack workout gear – take a workout outfit or even a yoga mat away with you, this way you’re already prepared to exercise, whether that’s by the pool, by your bedside, or in an on-site gym.
• Make use of exercise videos – there are many online instructors that put together bitesize workouts you can do with just access to WiFi in the place you’re staying.
• Sightseeing – getting out and exploring certainly counts as a workout, get those extra steps in.

Maintaining your exercise routine whilst away will protect your progress with Mounjaro. If you have any specific queries about exercising whilst taking Mounjaro, we recommend that you speak with your doctor for more personalised advice.

You may be in a position where you travel a lot and are wondering which weight loss treatment will suit your lifestyle. You might be wondering if switching from Wegovy to Mounjaro, or Ozempic to Mounjaro might be best for when you need to travel.

All weight loss injection treatments contain different active ingredients. However, there is not much difference in the conditions or requirements you need to keep the medications in while travelling. They all:

• need to be kept in a refrigerator to ensure they are safe to use (or have a 30-day expiration if out of the fridge and stored at the right temperature conditions which will be stated in the patient information leaflet for each medication)
• require declaration at security, so switching will not lead to fast-track security

We recommend that you speak with your doctor for more personalised advice on which weight loss treatment is right for you.

Alternatively, you can fill in a quick online assessment form for Asda online doctors to review. Our online doctors can assess what is best for you and get in touch with you privately and confidentially to discuss the best next steps.

1. Get your essential documents ready

Make sure you take Mounjaro in its original packaging with its prescription label attached, as you may need to declare the medication at security. If you have any concerns about this, speak with your doctor and they should be able to provide you with a note.

2. Remember your weight loss plan and stay on track

Track your dosage, and stick to your diet and exercise plan to maximise the effectiveness of your ongoing treatment. If you are scheduled to change doses whilst away, ask your doctor for guidance and make sure that you pack everything you need for the process and take it with you.

3. Take care of your medication

Stick to the storage instructions in your patient information leaflet. Keep your medication in the shade, and refrigerate where possible. On your way to your destination, we recommend packing a cool bag to keep your medication at the right temperature.

4. Remember you have options

If you are unsure about what medication is best whilst travelling, speak with your doctor. There are a range of weight loss treatments that can help you on your weight loss journey, whether you travel often, or infrequently. Make sure that you factor your lifestyle into your plan.