Travelling while on weight loss treatment

Planning a holiday while sticking to a weight loss treatment plan can come with additional challenges, but a little preparation goes a long way.

We've put together a complete guide to travelling while on weight loss medication, covering safely storing your pens while you travel, navigating time zone changes, when to reorder your medication, managing side effects, and how to stick to a good eating and movement plan.

Key Points

• Weight loss medication is more travel-friendly than you might realise.
• You can simplify and manage time zone changes to ensure your injections stay on schedule.
• Holidays are to be enjoyed. Planning before you leave saves worrying once you arrive.

Storing and refrigerating your pen when travelling

Correctly storing and refrigerating your weight loss injections while travelling is crucial, both for safety and to make sure the medication remains effective.

To ensure you’re doing just that, if you’re flying, pack your medication in your carry-on luggage, not in any luggage you are checking in.

The cabin of a plane is heated, unlike the cargo hold where baggage goes, so keeping your medication in the cabin will help prevent it from being exposed to freezing temperatures, which can spoil it and make it unsafe to use.

Having your medication on hand can also come in handy if you find yourself stuck on the tarmac when the time for your scheduled injection rolls around.

To be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to keep a prescription or letter from your doctor on you, so you can show the airport authorities you're supposed to have this medication.

If you’re setting off on a slightly longer trip or headed to a warmer climate, consider investing in a medical cooling pouch for your injection pen. These have gel inserts that keep medication at a stable temperature without getting too cold or freezing.

Time zones and when to inject

If you’re travelling across time zones and worried about your injection schedule, here’s what to know:

• Moving your injection time by a few hours will not reduce effectiveness or cause new side effects.
• If the time difference is large, you do not have to inject at an impractical hour, like at 4am. Choose a time that works with your travel plans, but try to keep to your usual injection day. The day matters more than the exact time.
• If you miss your usual day: you can inject the next day or the day after.
• If more than three days have passed: skip the missed dose and take your next dose on your normal scheduled day the following week.
• Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
• Set a reminder on your phone or smartwatch to stay on track. It’s easy to lose track of days when you’re away.

Reordering and planning before you travel

"When travelling, ensuring you’ll have enough medication to last the whole trip is essential. This is especially true if you’re headed off on a longer holiday.

"Delivery times for weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy can vary depending on the pharmacy you order from. They may also be affected by busy holiday seasons, or if you’re ordering just before a bank holiday or weekend.

"Try to order the number of doses you need at least two or three weeks before your departure date, to be on the safe side."

Niya Mansuri, weight loss expert at myBMI

Holiday nutrition

Maintaining your healthy habits can feel like a slog when you’re trying to relax and switch off, but there are plenty of steps you can take to keep up your weight loss progress while enjoying your trip.

When deciding what to eat, prioritise lean, healthy proteins such as:

• chicken
• turkey
• fish
• seafood
• eggs
• beans
• pulses
• tofu

Be aware of these common holiday factors that can derail your progress:

• If you’re on an all-inclusive holiday, it can be tempting to eat and drink more than usual to get the most out of your money, but buffets can encourage you to overeat, so mindfulness is key.
• Cocktails made with sugar and syrups can cause blood glucose spikes and trigger or worsen medication side effects like nausea, indigestion, heartburn, and fatigue.
• Dehydration, especially in hot climates, can worsen side effects like constipation and nausea and cause headaches, so be sure to drink plenty of water.

Light movement while travelling

There are plenty of fun ways to stay active while you make the most of your holiday.

Whether you prefer a city break, beach getaway, or rural retreat, you can build low-intensity exercise into fun family activities like:

• taking a walking tour
• going on a hike
• swimming in the sea or hotel pool
• walking on the beach
• climbing the steps to landmarks and viewpoints
• getting steps in around the airport or resort (if you’re travelling with kids, piggybacks mean more calories burned for you and a fun way to see the sights for your passenger!)

Try thinking of travel as changing the backdrop to your days rather than changing your whole routine. Your lifestyle goes with you wherever you go. This mindset puts you in control of your daily decisions and habits, not your environment.

Easy ways to move more on holiday

Try these easy ways to move more while you travel:

• carry your luggage instead of wheeling it, if you’re comfortable doing so
• take the stairs instead of the lift, even if it’s just for a few floors
• go for a short walk after meals to help stabilise blood sugar levels and improve digestion
• try activities that involve walking like hiking, sightseeing, or touring museums
• explore on foot instead of taking cabs or public transport
• stretch or do light cardio exercises with resistance bands or your bodyweight in your room

 What happens if you have side effects on holiday? 

If you find yourself experiencing Mounjaro side effects or Wegovy side effects while on holiday, the guidance on managing them is the same whether you’re at home or abroad.

If you’re feeling nauseous, reach for a glass of water or a soothing herbal tea like peppermint or ginger to help keep you hydrated.

If you’re in a hot country, keep an extra-close eye on your hydration if you’re sweating a lot, and take electrolytes like potassium and magnesium to help your body hold onto the water you drink.

If you’re choosing to enjoy some alcoholic drinks on holiday, bear in mind that these are likely to cause dehydration, so try to alternate between alcoholic drinks and water.

If you’re experiencing persistent side effects that do not go away with home remedies, talk to a health professional.

"Some side effects can pop up while you’re travelling, especially if you’re eating different foods, drinking more alcohol, moving less, or sleeping at unusual times. In most cases, this is down to changes in routine rather than the medication itself.

"Small adjustments, like staying hydrated, keeping meals balanced, and sticking roughly to your usual schedule, can help things settle quickly. The most important thing is not to panic.

"Your medication will not suddenly affect you differently just because you’re in another country. It’s far more likely that lifestyle changes while you’re away are the reason you’re feeling different."

Niya Mansuri, weight loss expert at myBMI

What about increasing your dose while travelling?

A lot of the time, people using weight loss injections choose not to increase their dose while they’re on holiday due to the increased risk of side effects.

If you’re in an unfamiliar environment, it can be difficult to get your hands on whatever products or treatments you may need to help manage side effects. And if you do not speak the local language, seeking help could be more challenging.

If you’re due to increase your dose while on holiday, talk to your prescriber at least a few weeks beforehand.

While it’s ultimately your decision to make, your prescriber can help arrange for you to stay on the same dose a little longer so you can wait until you’re back to increase it.

Travelling while on weight loss maintenance

Heading off on holiday during your maintenance phase is really no different from doing so during any other phase of weight loss treatment – you’ll just need to think ahead.

Whether you’re maintaining your weight loss results or continuing to lose weight, having a plan in place when you travel helps you keep up momentum and feel confident you’re on track.

Here is some advice to make sure your trip is as relaxing as possible:

• Check local regulations before travelling to make sure you’re bringing your medication into the country the correct legal way. Consult the local embassy of your destination country or the local authorities on the ground there.
• Be sure to keep your medication clearly labelled and your prescription or a letter from your doctor at hand.
• Order your pen in advance, as delivery times can vary during busy periods
• Make sure to store your pen correctly, for example, keeping it cool in a medical cooling pouch.
• Ensure you have enough medication for your trip, plus a little left over for emergencies if your pen gets lost or broken while travelling
• Try to stick to your routine: drink lots of water, get quality sleep, move daily, and eat balanced, nutritious meals high in protein

Top tips from a pharmacist

To make the most out of your holiday while taking loss medication, try these tips from our pharmacist, Niya Mansuri:

• Check your medication pen as soon as you arrive at your destination. If the liquid is cloudy or discoloured or has particles floating in it, it may have been exposed to extreme temperatures, which means it is not safe to use.
• Keep a copy of your prescription or a letter from your prescriber on your person, especially if you're planning to travel outside of the EU.
• If side effects become an issue while you’re on holiday, keep calm. Fight the impulse to suddenly stop taking your medication. Instead, reset and re-focus on sensible, smaller portion sizes, drinking more water, and get in touch with your prescriber if your symptoms last longer than 48 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put my pen in hotel mini-fridges or cool boxes?

Yes, you can. However, avoid placing it directly against the fridge’s back wall or freezer compartment, as freezing the medication will damage it and make it unsafe to use.

What if my flight delays my injection day?

If you’re delayed and can’t inject yourself at the usual time, do not worry. Take your injection as soon as possible after your scheduled time, then continue as normal. Never try to make up for a missed dose by double-dosing.

Can I drink alcohol on holiday while on a maintenance dose?

Yes, you can drink alcohol on holiday if you choose to, just be sure to be mindful of the calories in your drinks and supplement with water to stay hydrated.

Summary of travelling while on weight loss treatment

"Travelling while taking weight loss medication can come with a few extra challenges, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. One of the benefits of weight loss injections is being able to enjoy your trip with less food noise, while still staying focused on your goals.

"Plan ahead, pack an extra dose in case of delays, and make sure it’s stored at the right temperature. A bit of preparation can help you feel confident, in control, and free to enjoy your journey."

Niya Mansuri, weight loss expert at myBMI