Doctor issues weight loss jab alert for users as heatwave approaches
People need to remember this ahead of hot weather in the UK (stock image) (Image: Getty)
People who take weight-loss jabs have been reminded of an important rule that could save them up to £300 this summer. Drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro must be stored in the right conditions to keep their active ingredient safe and effective.
These injections are biological, protein-based medications. As such, they are incredibly fragile and will spoil if they get too hot, potentially rendering the medication useless or unsafe. As some people purchase this privately, it could ruin a pen worth up to £300 (for the highest doses).
Although these are two different drugs, they have similar instructions about storage. For both medications, the guidelines are to keep unopened pens refrigerated. Once in use, they can be kept out of the fridge, but must still follow strict temperature control.
Dr Kathryn Basford, at Asda Online Doctor, said: “For Mounjaro to remain effective and safe, it ideally needs to be refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C. It can be stored unrefrigerated for up to 30 days, so long as it doesn’t go above 30°C.
“If your Wegovy pen is already open, it’s best to store it in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. However, you can store it outside the fridge for up to six weeks from opening as long as the temperature does not go above 30°C. Similar to Mounjaro, in line with the hot weather this weekend, you should refrigerate your Wegovy medication.”
This weekend, the Met Office is predicting warmer and drier conditions. Looking at the forecast, Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Keates said: “From this weekend, the UK forecast will have a distinctly warmer and drier component with a prolonged spell of above-average temperatures.
“Values in some locations quite likely to reach 27°C to 29°C, with the potential for higher values than this.” Met Office forecasters anticipate that this spell will last well into the following week at least. To see how your specific area will look, find a local forecast here.
Anyone taking weight loss medication should be aware of another major issue that can be masked in the heat.
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Dr Basford said that people using GLP-1s like Mounjaro or Wegovy in hot weather may notice a possible side effect of dehydration. The medic explains that, because the injections suppress appetite, they also “blur your thirst response”, according to Dr Basford, meaning you might not realise how thirsty you actually are.
She said: “During a heatwave, your body loses more water than usual through sweating, meaning it’s even easier to become dehydrated. Keep on top of your water intake, aiming for around three litres, staggered throughout the day. A good way to do this is to keep a water intake diary, or purchase a bottle with daily intake targets visible.”
