Mounjaro should be kept in a refrigerator. However, you can store Mounjaro at room temperature for a short period of time in certain situations.

Mounjaro is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It is typically used together with physical activity and lifestyle changes.

It comes as a liquid solution in single-dose prefilled pens or single-dose vials. You will typically refrigerate Mounjaro, but it is possible to store it at room temperature for up to 21 days. You should store Mounjaro according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Mounjaro pens have expiration dates. If stored properly, medications are safe to use up to the expiration date.

Keep reading to learn about where Mounjaro needs to be stored, whether Mounjaro expires, and more.

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You should store unopened Mounjaro pens or vials in a refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Bear in mind that some refrigerators may be colder near the back than in the front. They may also be colder on the door.

However, you can store unopened Mounjaro pens or vials unrefrigerated for a period of time. You can store them for up to 21 days at room temperature — up to 86°F (30°C). You should discard Mounjaro if you have not used it within 21 days after removing it from the refrigerator.

You should not freeze Mounjaro. Always check your Mounjaro pen to ensure it’s not frozen before use.

It is best to store Mounjaro pens or vials in their original cartons until use. This will help protect them from light. It is also important to keep Mounjaro, and all medications, out of the reach of children.

Disposal

Immediately after you’ve used your Mounjaro pen or vial, you should dispose of it in an FDA-approved sharps disposal container. Do not put it in the trash. This helps prevent other people and pets from harm or from using the pen by accident. Free sharps containers may be available from the following locations:

  • doctors’ offices
  • hospitals
  • health insurance companies
  • medication suppliers

You can also buy a sharps container at a pharmacy or online store.

Mounjaro does expire. The drug has an expiration date, which is printed on the packaging that your medication comes in. Before you use Mounjaro, check the pen or vial to make sure it hasn’t expired.

Expiration dates reflect how long a medication stays stable. This means it keeps its strength, quality, and purity when stored according to the instructions.

Using expired medication has risks and may harm your health. Expired medication can be less effective due to changes in chemical composition or a decrease in strength. If the expiration date on your Mounjaro pen or vial has passed, there is no guarantee that it will be safe and effective. If the pen has expired, do not use it.

The FDA requires manufacturers to test how stable a medication is under given storage conditions. This is to ensure the medication meets standards of strength, quality, and purity throughout its shelf life.

Based on the stability data submitted by the manufacturers of Mounjaro, its expiry period is 24 months from the date of manufacture when stored at 2°C to 8°C.

If you have questions about Mounjaro’s expiration date, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are some questions about how to store Mounjaro.

What happens if Mounjaro freezes?

If Mounjaro is frozen, the drug is no longer safe to use. If an FDA-approved medication is not stored according to labeled instructions, it may degrade. Degraded medication can be harmful or may not work properly.

Be sure not to store Mounjaro in the freezer, and do not use the drug if it is frozen. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

Does Mounjaro need to be at room temperature before injecting the drug?

No. You do not need to warm Mounjaro pens or vials to room temperature before use. The drug is safe to use directly out of the fridge.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how to use Mounjaro.

What happens if Mounjaro is not kept in the refrigerator?

Mounjaro is still safe to use if it is stored out of the fridge for a certain amount of time. However, the manufacturer recommends storing the drug in the refrigerator.

You can store Mounjaro for no longer than 21 days at room temperature — up to 86°F (30°C). It is important to keep Mounjaro pens and vials out of the light, so it is best to keep them in the carton. After 21 days, you will need to dispose of any unused pens or vials that were kept out of the fridge.

If you have questions about Mounjaro storage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You should store unopened Mounjaro pens or vials in a refrigerator. However, you can also store them for up to 21 days at room temperature.

The manufacturer recommends never freezing Mounjaro or using Mounjaro that has been frozen. Mounjaro does have an expiration date, so be sure to check this date on the packaging before use. Do not use expired Mounjaro.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about storing Mounjaro.