Is it safe to use expired semaglutide? What you need to know

Key Points

• Using expired semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) is not recommended due to reduced effectiveness and potential safety risks
• Semaglutide is stable for 36 months when refrigerated unopened, but only 6-8 weeks after first use
• Unlike many medications, biologics like semaglutide can lose potency quickly after expiration
• Expired semaglutide may not control blood sugar or support weight loss as effectively due to dose-dependent benefits

Found an old Ozempic or Wegovy pen in your fridge? Maybe you're dealing with medication shortages or high costs and wondering if that expired semaglutide is still okay to use.

How long a medication lasts is always an important question, but when you're paying hundreds of dollars for a single pen, the idea of throwing away "perfectly good" medication feels downright wasteful.

But using expired semaglutide isn't worth the risk. Let's explore why expiration dates matter for injectable medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, and what could happen if you use them past their prime.

Understanding expiration dates vs. beyond-use dates

Before we dive into the risks, it's important to understand what those dates on your medication actually mean.

Expiration dates are the manufacturer's guarantee that your medication will have full potency and safety until that specific date. After that point, the guarantee no longer applies.

But there's another important timeline to consider: the beyond-use date. This is how long your medication stays good after you've opened it and started using it.

For semaglutide, unopened pens are stable for 36 months when properly refrigerated. After first use, they’re good for 6-8 weeks, depending on the specific product.

So even if your Ozempic pen isn't technically "expired" based on the printed date, if you opened it more than 6-8 weeks ago, it's no longer safe to use.

What happens to semaglutide after it expires?

Semaglutide is different from, say, the aspirin in your medicine cabinet. While many medications can retain their potency well beyond their expiration dates, biologics (medications made from living organisms) like semaglutide are a different story.

Semaglutide is a protein-based medication, which makes it much more fragile than typical pills. Think of it like milk versus honey – one spoils quickly while the other lasts practically forever.

Protein breakdown is the main concern

As a protein drug, semaglutide can undergo physical changes over time. The medication might aggregate into clumps or fibrils, which reduces how much active medication you're actually getting.

This isn't just about the medication being "a little less effective." When protein drugs aggregate, they can become significantly less potent – and in some cases, these protein clumps might even trigger immune reactions in your body.

Visual signs of spoiled semaglutide

You should always inspect your semaglutide before using it. Don't use the medication if you notice:

• Cloudiness in the solution
• Particles floating around
• Color changes
• Any crystals or clumps

These are signs that the protein has started to break down.

Risks of using expired semaglutide

Your medication might not work when you need it most

The biggest risk with expired semaglutide isn't that it'll make you sick – it's that it might not work effectively.

Semaglutide's benefits are dose-dependent. Research shows that higher doses produce better results for both blood sugar control and weight loss. If your expired pen has lost potency, you're essentially getting a lower dose, which could mean:

• Worsened blood sugar control if you have diabetes
• Less weight loss than expected
• A return of the symptoms that the medication was helping manage

For people relying on semaglutide for diabetes management, this reduced effectiveness could be particularly dangerous.

Contamination becomes more likely over time

Injectable medications carry a risk of bacterial contamination, especially as they age. Studies have found that about 5.6% of multi-dose medication vials, like semaglutide, develop bacterial growth over time.

While semaglutide pens are designed for single-patient use and contain preservatives, using them beyond their safe timeframe increases contamination risk. This has led to serious infections in some cases, including bloodstream infections and abscesses.

No safety guarantees

Perhaps most importantly, once semaglutide passes its expiration date, the manufacturer no longer guarantees its strength, quality, or purity. The FDA warns that expired drugs may not work as intended and could potentially form harmful breakdown products.

While there's no evidence that expired semaglutide becomes toxic, the lack of safety data means you're taking an unknown risk.

Storage matters: How to keep semaglutide stable

Proper storage can help your semaglutide maintain its effectiveness up to the expiration date – but it can't extend the medication's life beyond that point.

Before first use, semaglutide should be stored in the fridge. After first use, Ozempic can be kept at room temperature (up to 86°F or 30°C) for up to 56 days.

Keep it cold (but not frozen)

Unopened semaglutide pens should be stored in the refrigerator at 36-46°F. This helps maintain the medication's stability for the full 36-month shelf life.

Once you start using a pen, you can either keep it at room temperature (59-86°F) or continue refrigerating it, but only for that 6-8 week window.

Never freeze semaglutide

If your semaglutide pen has ever been frozen, throw it away. Freezing destroys protein medications by causing the molecules to clump together. Even if you thaw it out, the medication won't work properly.

Protect from heat and light

High temperatures also damage semaglutide. Just like insulin and other protein drugs, semaglutide can lose significant activity when exposed to heat for extended periods.

Never leave your pen in a hot car, direct sunlight, or anywhere the temperature might spike above 86°F.

What healthcare providers recommend

Healthcare providers and regulatory agencies are unanimous on this point: don't use expired injectable medications.

The FDA explicitly states that once a drug passes its expiration date, there's no assurance of its effectiveness or safety. The American Diabetes Association echoes this guidance, specifically advising patients to check expiration dates on insulin and GLP-1 medications like semaglutide before each use.

Pharmacy standards also support this conservative approach. The U.S. Pharmacopeia guidelines typically impose a 28-day limit for opened multi-dose injectables to minimize contamination and stability issues.

To stay on top of medication management, “I always tell my patients to manage refill timing closely,” says Maria Keaveney, RD. “Do not delay prescription pickup. Pick a consistent day of the week and time of day, and set an event reminder in your calendar.”

Why the strict approach?

Healthcare providers take a cautious stance because of how serious the consequences of ineffective medication can be. For people with diabetes, inadequate blood sugar control can lead to both immediate and long-term complications. For those using semaglutide for weight management, ineffective doses mean not achieving health goals that might be crucial for overall wellbeing.

What to do if you only have expired semaglutide

If you find yourself with only expired semaglutide, resist the temptation to use it. Here are better alternatives:

Contact your healthcare provider immediately. They can help you find solutions, whether that's getting a new prescription, finding patient assistance programs, or exploring alternative medications.

Look into manufacturer programs. Many pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs that can help with costs.

Check with your pharmacy about generic alternatives or other GLP-1 medications that might be more affordable or available.

Don't ration or stretch your current medication. It may be tempting to try to make your medication last as long as possible if and when there are shortages, but safety always comes first. Don’t try to use your semaglutide past its expiration date.

Final thoughts

When it comes to expired semaglutide, the safest approach is simple: when in doubt, throw it out.

Unlike many medications that might retain potency well past their expiration dates, biologics like semaglutide are fragile. The risk of reduced effectiveness – combined with potential contamination concerns – makes using expired doses a gamble with your health.

Remember, these medications are prescribed because they're important for managing serious health conditions. The potential consequences of ineffective treatment far outweigh the cost of replacing expired medication.

“For best results, follow best practices: vary your injection site, always clean your hands and the injection area, and follow storage procedures even when on vacation,” says Maria Keaveney, RD. “Don’t forget to talk to your pharmacy about how to properly handle expired medication disposal, too.”

If cost is a concern, work with your healthcare provider to explore alternatives. There are often options available, from patient assistance programs to alternative medications that might be more affordable.

The bottom line? Your health is worth more than the cost of a replacement pen. Stick to fresh, properly stored medication, and you'll get the full benefits that semaglutide can offer.

Looking for support with your semaglutide journey? Connect with a GLP-1 dietitian covered by your insurance today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is semaglutide good for after the expiration date?

There's no safe timeframe for using semaglutide past its expiration date. Unlike many medications that might retain potency for months or years after expiring, biologics like semaglutide are much less stable and can lose effectiveness quickly.

What if I accidentally used expired semaglutide?

If you used expired semaglutide once, monitor your blood sugar levels closely if you have diabetes and watch for any unusual symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider to let them know and get guidance on next steps. Most likely, the main risk is reduced effectiveness rather than immediate harm.

Can I use semaglutide that's been left out overnight?

If your semaglutide pen was left at room temperature overnight, it should still be okay as long as it hasn't exceeded the temperature limits (86°F) and you're within the 6-8 week usage window after first opening. However, repeatedly exposing it to temperature swings isn't ideal.

Is there a difference between Ozempic and Wegovy expiration guidelines?

Both contain semaglutide and have similar storage and expiration guidelines. The main difference is the concentration and intended use, but the stability recommendations are essentially the same.

What should I do with expired semaglutide pens?

Dispose of them safely according to your local guidelines for medical waste. Many pharmacies accept expired medications for proper disposal. Never put them in regular trash where others might find them.

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.