THE SHORT VERSION
- Check airline, airport and destination requirements before travelling.
- Arrange storage and time-zone advice before leaving.
Pack the information as well as the medicine
Keep medicine in its labelled packaging and take a prescription copy or suitable supporting letter. Check each airport and airline's requirements for pens, needles, cooling packs and medical baggage. UK guidance allows essential medicines and hypodermic syringes in hand luggage; screening and overseas rules still need checking.
Confirm whether your destination restricts bringing the medicine into the country. Keep pharmacy contact details available offline and ask how to manage a delayed journey or lost supply.
Make the cooling plan realistic
Ask the pharmacist which storage limits apply to opened and unopened pens. Check that your travel container protects against heat without freezing medicine. Do not put a pen directly against an ice pack.
Do not rely on an aircraft refrigerator; airlines may not allow medicines in them. Check accommodation storage before arrival. If crossing time zones, ask for written advice on the schedule and missed treatment. Do not change the prescription to fit a flight. Record any suspected temperature problem for assessment.
Sources you can check
- GOV.UK: medicines and medical equipment in hand luggage
- Civil Aviation Authority: travelling with medicines
- NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service: temperature control during transport
- Mounjaro KwikPen: current UK patient leaflet
- Wegovy FlexTouch: current UK patient leaflet
Editorial presentation updated 24 October 2026. This is general information, not individual medical advice or a claim of independent clinical review. Read the linked source and the leaflet supplied with your medicine for the full context. Suggest a correction.