Essential tips for travelling with Mounjaro safely

If you're currently packing your bags to jet off into the sunset, we're very jealous.

There's something secretly exciting about busting out the packing cubes and working your way through the checklist — passports, immunisations, spare undies... there's a lot to keep track of.

It's no wonder that medication can get left to the last minute (or accidentally forgotten).

For certain medications, it can be a bit nerve-wracking to figure out where you're allowed to take them, what you need to do to get through customs, and which bag to pack them in to make it to your destination.

For Mounjaro in particular, there are a couple of things you'll need to consider to keep it safe on the trip [1].

Getting ready to travel with Mounjaro

Whether you're off on a long-haul flight or just zipping away on a more local holiday, it's important to know how to prepare for travelling with Mounjaro.

Considering the following things before you leave will help ensure you don't damage the medication or run into trouble at airport security (if you're travelling by plane).

Checking regulations in your destination country

Every country has different laws and regulations about which medicines you can bring into the country, and how much you can bring with you.

Even if you're travelling within the UK, there'll be limitations on how much medication you can bring on a plane with you [2].

For example, if you're travelling to Australia or the United States you can only bring a 3-month supply of your medication [3][4].

In countries like Japan or Malaysia, the rules are much stricter and need to be read thoroughly [5][6].

Getting a doctor's note

If you're flying internationally, a lot of countries will require a doctor's note or letter from a healthcare provider proving the medication has been prescribed to you.

This is particularly important for weight loss medications that involve injecting equipment [7].

As a general rule, the doctor's note should include information such as [2]:

• Your name
• Dates of travel
• A list of the medications you're currently taking, how much you'll have with you, and the doses and strength you take
• A description of any medical equipment you're bringing with you (e.g. syringes for Mounjaro vials)
• The signature of the person who prescribed your drugs

Your medication should always be kept in its original packaging with the prescription label attached, so there are no questions about what it is or who it belongs to [2].

It's also a good idea to take a copy of your prescription with you and check whether these documents will be accepted in English (or whether they need to be translated into the language of the country you're heading to) [2].

Packing your carry-on luggage

According to the patient information leaflet, you should keep your Mounjaro with you at all times when travelling.

This means it's best to pack it in your carry-on bag — where it's less at risk of being exposed to extreme temperatures [1].

If you pack your medications in your checked luggage, there's no way to know what the temperature will be in luggage hold areas. Medication stored at the wrong temperature can become less effective, or even harmful in some cases [8].

Make sure you pack enough medication for your entire trip, but check you're not bringing more than the limit allowed by your destination country (if travelling internationally).

Other things to consider when travelling with Mounjaro

Ice packs and cool bags

While we're talking about temperature, it can be a good idea to take an insulated bag or cool bag with you on your trip — whether you're travelling by car or plane [1].

According to the manufacturers of Mounjaro, it's important to store unused KwikPens or vials between 2 ºC – 8 ºC. You should never freeze Mounjaro (and it should be thrown out immediately if it ends up frozen) [1].

Taking an insulated bag with you can help keep your medication cool. If you're also packing ice packs or frozen gel packs, make sure your medication isn't touching them at all [1].

When travelling by plane, you could also enquire with the airline about storing your medication in the fridge onboard during your flight.

If you're travelling by car, avoid keeping medications in places exposed to heat or intense changes in temperature — like the boot. Never leave your medication in the car for long periods of time [10].

Light exposure

Exposing your weight loss injections to light can affect their stability, degrade the quality of the medication, and make it unsafe to use.

You should keep Mounjaro out of direct sunlight at all times [9]. The best way to protect your medicine from light exposure is to keep it in its original packaging [10].

So far, it appears that the X-rays used at airport security checkpoints don't seem to affect Mounjaro medication [1].

Storing Mounjaro at your accommodation

Before you get to where you're going, you'll want to consider how you're going to store your Mounjaro pens or injections.

According to the storage guidelines, there are a few things to remember about storing Mounjaro pens and vials once they've been used:

• As above, unused pens should always be stored in the refrigerator
• After the first use, Mounjaro pens can be stored at room temperature — as long as it doesn't get above 30°C [1]
• For Mounjaro vials, you can store them at room temperature for up to 21 days, or in the fridge [11]
• Your Mounjaro dose should always be kept away from heat and light [1]

• You should never store your used KwikPens with the needle attached — this prevents leakage or the needle getting blocked
• Used pens should always be stored with the pen cap attached
• Pay close attention to the expiration date and dispose of expired medicine safely
• Always keep your prescription medication out of the reach of children [1][11].

It's a good idea to check ahead of time whether there's a fridge available at your accommodation — that way you've got the best chance at keeping your medication's temperature stable.

Refrigerators vary in temperature depending on the area of the fridge and how much is being stored inside it.

It's best to place your medication away from the very back where the cooling element is, or near the door where temperatures can fluctuate every time it opens [12].

You'll also need to think about disposing of your pens or syringes. Make sure to take a sharps disposal container (or a few if needed) with you.

Put your finished pens or used needles/syringes straight into the sharps container when they're ready to be thrown away — never put them directly into the regular rubbish bin. This keeps everyone safe from needlestick injuries [11].

When your container is full, you'll need to look up local laws on how to dispose of it.

Some places allow it to be placed in general waste, while other communities might require you to take it to a sharps bin, back to a chemist, or a community disposal bin [13].

Can you skip Mounjaro while you're away?

We know all this might sound like a lot to plan, but once you've done a little research it'll be a breeze.

You might feel tempted to skip taking your weekly injections while you're away, but it's not recommended [14].

You might be able to get away with skipping one dose, but even this can affect your weight loss goals [14].

If you're nervous about travelling while being on weight loss treatment, check in with your healthcare provider to discuss your options.

Need support or have questions while you're away? Our team is here to help. Juniper's Weight Reset Programme includes access to online forums, support groups, and telehealth appointments at your fingertips.

This means you can chat with someone about your weight loss journey wherever you are in the world.

What if you forget to take a dose?

Things happen, and you can't be blamed if you end up forgetting a dose while you're busy trawling the markets or enjoying a poolside read.

If you forget to take your Mounjaro dose, and it's been 4 days or less since your missed dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. Then you can resume your regular dosage schedule.

If it's been more than 4 days since your missed dose, wait for your usual dose day to come around before taking it [1].

Tips for maintaining progress while travelling

Keeping your weight loss journey on track while you're travelling can be a bit nerve-wracking, but don't let it ruin your holiday.

Sticking to a healthy diet as much as you can, and moving your body (surf lessons, anyone?) is still the best way to look after yourself.

Without letting it take the fun out of travel, try to [15]:

• Keep eating a range of nutritious foods (lots of fruit and veg)
• Find enjoyable ways to get a little exercise — a swim, a morning walk, or a bike ride around town
• Limit snacks and desserts as much as you can
• Watch your alcohol intake
• Stay hydrated and drink lots of water
• Try to eat meals at regular times of the day

These strategies will help your medication remain effective even while you're travelling and trying new things. Bon voyage!

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