GLP-1 over the holidays: dose day, missed doses, travel

Holidays move things: your injection day, where the pen is kept, what's on the table. Here is what the US and EU labels say for the weekly injections of semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound). Wegovy also comes as a daily tablet with different rules; this guide covers the weekly injections only. The Turkish leaflets we checked (published by TİTCK, Turkey's medicines agency) give the same rules as the EU texts on the points they cover. Of the US, EU and Turkish texts, only the US one includes Zepbound; in the EU and Turkey, tirzepatide appears as Mounjaro. Where the US and EU differ, we show both: follow the leaflet in your pack and your prescriber. Injection sites are covered in GLP-1 injection sites and rotation.

Moving your weekly injection day

All four come as weekly injections, given at any time of day, and all four labels let you change the injection day, with a minimum gap since your last dose:

• Ozempic: at least 2 days (more than 48 hours) in the US label; at least 3 days (more than 72 hours) in the EU text, and at least 3 days in the Turkish leaflet.
• Wegovy: 2 or more days in the US Medication Guide; at least 3 days (more than 72 hours) in the EU text, and at least 3 days in the Turkish leaflet.
• Mounjaro and Zepbound: at least 3 days in the US labels and in the EU and Turkish Mounjaro texts.

The EU and Turkish leaflets say to carry on once a week on the new day.

If you miss a dose

• Ozempic: the US, EU and Turkish texts agree: within 5 days of the missed dose, inject as soon as possible; after more than 5 days, skip it and keep your usual day.
• Wegovy: the EU and Turkish texts use the same 5 days. The US label counts back from your next dose: if it is more than 2 days (48 hours) away, inject as soon as possible; if less, skip it.
• Mounjaro and Zepbound: within 4 days (96 hours), inject as soon as possible; after more than 4 days, skip it. The US, EU and Turkish texts add that doses must be 3 or more days apart.

The EU and Turkish leaflets say not to take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you miss Wegovy for 2 or more weeks in a row, its US Medication Guide says to contact your healthcare provider to talk about how to restart your treatment.

Storing your pen while you travel

All four labels say to keep unused pens in the fridge (2°C to 8°C) and never to use a frozen one. Time allowed out of the fridge:

• Ozempic, after first use: 56 days at 15°C to 30°C or in the fridge (US); 6 weeks below 30°C or in the fridge, 8 weeks for 8-dose pens (EU). The Turkish leaflet gives 6 weeks.
• Wegovy single-dose pen: up to 28 days out of the fridge, at up to 30°C (US, in its carton and before the cap is removed) or below 30°C (EU).
• Wegovy multi-dose pen (FlexTouch), after first use: 56 days at 15°C to 30°C or in the fridge (US prescribing information; one US FlexTouch instruction leaflet says 20°C to 25°C); 6 weeks below 30°C or in the fridge (EU, and the 4-dose pen sold in Turkey).
• Mounjaro or Zepbound single-dose pen or vial: 21 days in total at up to 30°C (US) or below 30°C (EU; in Turkey, the vial).
• Mounjaro or Zepbound KwikPen (or US multi-dose vial), after first use: in the fridge or at room temperature, up to 30°C (US) or below 30°C (EU and Turkey); throw it away 30 days after first use or after 4 weekly doses. In the US, an unopened one kept at room temperature must be thrown away after 30 days.

Check your percentage against the trial averages: GLP-1 weight loss calculator

The Ozempic instructions and the US Wegovy FlexTouch instructions say not to leave the pen in a car or anywhere too hot or too cold. The EU and Turkish Ozempic instructions, and the EU Wegovy FlexTouch and Turkish Wegovy instructions, say not to inject medicine that has been exposed to direct sunlight. The US Mounjaro and Zepbound labels say to keep the medicine in its original carton to protect it from heat and light.

Flying with your pens

In the US, TSA allows medically necessary liquids beyond the usual limit, in reasonable quantities for your trip, if you declare them at the checkpoint. Ice and gel packs that keep them cool may be frozen, partly frozen or melted, and the officer has the final say.

In Turkey, DHMİ, the state airports authority, exempts liquid medicines from the 100 ml cabin rule if they are in their original package and in the amount needed for the trip; for more, a doctor's report may be requested. No label we read mentions time zones; if a long flight makes your timing unclear, ask your prescriber.

Big meals and holiday food

The labels set no meal rules for the injections, but they warn that nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea can cause dehydration and say it is important to drink fluids. For nausea, an NHS Lothian weight-management leaflet covering Wegovy and Mounjaro suggests:

• eating smaller, more frequent meals
• eating slowly and stopping when satisfied
• not lying down soon after eating
• avoiding hot, sugary, spicy, fatty, fried or strong-smelling foods

The NHS pages on semaglutide and tirzepatide say it is best not to drink alcohol, as it can increase side effects like feeling or being sick.

When to contact a doctor

• Severe stomach pain that won't go away, with or without vomiting, sometimes reaching the back: the US Medication Guides say to stop the medicine and call your healthcare provider right away, as it may be pancreatitis; the EU and Turkish leaflets, to see a doctor straight away.
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea that won't go away: the US Medication Guides say to tell your healthcare provider right away.
• Side effects getting worse: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust says to contact your care team or a GP if you vomit more than 3 times a day, can't keep fluids down, your pee turns dark or you feel lightheaded, as you may be dehydrated.

General information, not medical advice. Labels change and pen types differ, so follow the leaflet in your pack and your prescriber. Versions read in October 2026.

GLP-1 Shot Tracker : OneShot logs each shot with its date, dose, medication and injection site, calculates the next one and reminds you the day before, on shot day and that evening if it isn't logged. You can link side effects to the shot they followed. It is a logging and reminder tool, not medical advice, and doesn't sell medication. It is free to download on the App Store (iOS 15.5 or later) and Google Play.

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