Superintendent pharmacist Aaron Arman shares a stark warning for those using Mounjaro while abroad.
People taking Mounjaro need to be careful (Image: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)
People taking Mounjaro tend to take a weekly dose, which means the treatment is likely to continue while on holiday, but if you are taking the weight loss jab abroad, precautions need to be taken. Those using Mounjaro should understand that the prescription medicine functions by making you “feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry”, as confirmed by NHS England.
However, whilst on holiday, “buffets are where people on GLP-1s [e.g. Mounjaro] could most often struggle”, cautioned CheqUp‘s superintendent pharmacist, Aaron Arman.
“High-fat or high-sugar foods are most likely to cause nausea and bloating so try avoiding those,” he recommended. “Arrive prepared by having a protein snack 30 to 60 minutes beforehand… [and] use a small salad plate.”
Mr Arman continued: “Waiting 20 minutes before going back for seconds will allow your fullness signals to kick in and also helps you to avoid nausea and bloating.”
Bear in mind that “alcohol can hit harder” whilst taking Mounjaro, so all-inclusive hotels providing unlimited drinks could prove problematic.
“Digestion is slower, so drink with food and alternate with water as needed,” Mr Arman recommended. Yet food and drink consumption on holiday aren’t the only considerations when using Mounjaro.
Mounjaro can make you feel nauseous while abroad(Image: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)
Mr Arman stressed that Mounjaro is a “temperature-sensitive prescription drug”, which means it’s “not something you can throw in a suitcase and forget about”.
“The cargo hold of a plane can experience extreme temperature changes that can destroy the medication,” Mr Arman cautioned.
Mounjaro shouldn’t be packed into a checked-in suitcase(Image: Olga Rolenko via Getty Images)
“So GLP-1 injections should always be packed in hand luggage, but all needles should always be packed in your hold baggage like any other sharp objects.”
He further advised: “You should also keep your pens in their original packaging with the prescription label visible. And have your confirmation emails or prescription ready in case airport security asks for proof.”
Given that Mounjaro is temperature-sensitive, it’s crucial to use an “insulated medical grade travel bag” for storage.
“Upon arrival, store unopened pens in a refrigerator between 2C and 8C,” Mr Arman instructed. Once opened, Mounjaro “can be kept at room temperature for up to 30 days”, but should be kept out of direct sunlight.
“Anything above 30 degrees can reduce their potency, even if they still look normal,” Mr Arman clarified.
As Clinical Lead at CheqUp Health Ltd, Aaron Arman boasts a decade of pharmacy experience across community pharmacy and primary care. Trained as a pharmacist, his clinical focus has consistently been on metabolic health, with a particular interest in type 2 diabetes and obesity management. This specialist interest now informs the clinical framework underpinning CheqUp’s GLP-1 weight management programme, where evidence-based prescribing, patient safety and long-term patient outcomes are at the heart of everything the service does.
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