Jabwise

Travelling with your pen

The NHS says medicines belong in hand luggage, in their original labelled packaging. TravelHealthPro adds a prescription copy, a prescriber’s letter and checks on destination rules. For Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic or Zepbound, the pen’s own leaflet or label sets its storage limits.

For the journeyHand luggageLabelled medicineTravel paperwork

Before you travel

TravelHealthPro’s medicines guidance covers preparation for a trip abroad, including these checks.

  • Supply for the tripIt recommends enough medicine for the whole trip, with allowance for delays or lost luggage, and a medical check-up before travel.
  • The destination’s rulesIt directs travellers to the embassy, high commission or FCDO country advice for rules on importing or transporting medicines.
  • Prescription and letterIt recommends a prescription copy and a prescriber’s letter giving the medicines’ generic names, not only their brands.
  • Arrangements with the airlineFor injectable medicines, it recommends contacting the airline before travel to make the arrangements needed for the flight.

In your hand luggage

  • Original packaging

    Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS guidance says medicines should stay in their original packaging, with your name on the label.

  • A list of your medicines

    The same NHS guidance recommends carrying a list of the medicines you take and their doses with you when you travel.

  • With you in the cabin

    The NHS guidance recommends carrying medicines in hand luggage when flying, still in their original labelled packaging.

  • A doctor’s letter

    GOV.UK says a doctor’s letter is needed to explain your medicines and medical equipment, such as needles or syringes.

At UK airport security

GOV.UK allows essential liquid medicines, syringes and cooling gel packs in hand luggage. Its liquid rules are separate from its letter guidance.

ItemWhat GOV.UK says
Liquid medicine over 100mlEssential medicine is allowed. A container larger than 100ml needs proof of prescription, such as a doctor’s letter or prescription copy.
Liquid medicine up to 100mlThis liquid-medicine rule does not require proof for a container of 100ml or less. Other paperwork requirements can still apply.
Cooling packsCooling gel packs are listed as allowed. For ice packs in hand luggage, it says to contact the airport.

Storage on the journey

TravelHealthPro says to check storage needs for the journey. A cooling pack passing security does not confirm it meets your pen’s temperature limits.

  • Before first use

    The UK Mounjaro KwikPen, Wegovy FlexTouch and Ozempic leaflets specify a fridge at 2 to 8°C before the pen is used.

  • Each pen’s storage limits

    In-use limits differ by pen. Zepbound’s US label also gives separate limits for its single-dose pens and its KwikPen.

  • A pen that has frozen

    The Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic leaflets and Zepbound’s label all say not to use the medicine if it has been frozen.

  • The cooling element

    Wegovy and Ozempic say to keep pens away from the fridge’s cooling element. A pharmacist can help with storage questions.

Questions

Does passing UK security mean I can take my pen into any country?

No. TravelHealthPro says countries have their own medicine restrictions and permissions. GOV.UK directs travellers to the destination’s embassy or high commission to check restrictions.

What if the journey crosses time zones?

Your prescriber or pharmacist can help plan injection timing for your journey. The medicine leaflets set rules for changing the injection day and missed doses; this guide does not turn those into a personal travel schedule.

Can I skip a dose for a holiday?

That is a question for your prescriber. Mounjaro’s leaflet says not to stop without talking to your doctor, and warns that blood sugar can rise if you have type 2 diabetes.

Supply

Your next order, before you go.

Set your next order date in Jabwise, with a reminder on the day or up to 14 days before. Your prescriber or pharmacist can help plan how much medicine you need for the trip.

Jabwise Supply showing the next order date and a reminder 7 days before

Sources

Published by Under Cntrl, the maker of Jabwise. For corrections, contact us.

General information, not medical advice. Follow your prescriber’s guidance.

Getting real advice

We’re not doctors. This page sums up official health and medicine guidance, and can’t tell you what’s right for your body: your prescriber’s instructions and the leaflet in your box come first. More in our terms.

  • Checked against official sources, each one linked
  • Sources checked 20 October 2026
  • No dosing advice; your prescriber comes first