Keep your GLP-1 vials refrigerated at 36-46°F (2-8°C). Do not freeze. Store in the original carton or amber vial to protect from light. Before each use, inspect the solution â standard tirzepatide (with B6) should appear clear and/or slightly yellow, standard semaglutide (with B12) will appear pink to reddish, and additive-free (Pure) formulations will appear clear or near-colorless. Do not use if it's cloudy or has particles. If the medication appears unusual, you may need to provide photo verification to your pharmacy to assess its usability.
Refrigeration: Store vials between 36-46°F (2-8°C). Keep away from freezer vents, direct sunlight, and hot cars. Return the vial to the fridge immediately after each dose.
Unpunctured vials:
Room Temperature: Up to 30 days
95°F: Up to 15 days
104°F: Up to 5 days
These are general windows. Some pharmacies set shorter limits, so always check the label on your vial â and if you are not sure, message us and we will confirm with your pharmacy.
If these temperature limits are exceeded, the medication may no longer be safe to use, and you should consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider for guidance.
Once punctured, refrigeration is required. If a punctured vial is exposed to adverse conditions, consult your pharmacist to determine if a replacement is necessary.
28 Day Puncture Rule
While manufacturers typically test multi-dose vials for sterility up to 28 days, pharmacies can extend this timeframe based on their own rigorous safety testing for specific medications. When you receive a multi-month supply in one vial, the pharmacy has verified it remains safe and effective for the entire treatment period.
Beyond-Use Date (BUD)
The beyond-use date tells you how long your medication stays safe and effective in the vial. Always check the labeled BUD on your specific vial â it will be clearly printed by the pharmacy that compounded your medication. BUD varies by compounding pharmacy and formulation.
If you're unsure about the BUD on your vial, ask our Patient Success Team and we'll confirm.
My medication arrived warm or frozen
If your medication arrived warm, see "What if my medication arrives warm?" for what to check and what to do.
If your medication arrived frozen, or you can see ice crystals, do not use it â contact our Patient Success Team. Stability guidance after freezing varies by compounding pharmacy, so we will confirm with yours before you use it.
Safe handling: Clean the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab before each draw. Use a new sterile syringe and needle every time. Write the date you first punctured the vial on the label. Never share vials or needles.
Sharps disposal: Dispose of used needles and syringes in an FDA-cleared sharps container. Do not throw them in regular trash.
Where and how to inject
Here is an injection video:
GLP-1 medications are injected subcutaneously (under the skin) into the abdomen, front of the thigh, or outer upper arm. Rotate your injection site with each dose to protect your skin. Always use a new sterile needle and syringe for every injection.
STEP-BY-STEP
Wash your hands and check your medication and dose
Choose your injection site: abdomen, front of thigh, or outer upper arm (upper arm is easiest with a partner)
Clean the site with an alcohol swab and let it air dry
Draw your medication following the instructions from your care team
Inject subcutaneously. Do not inject into a vein or muscle
Remove the needle and apply light pressure with gauze if needed
Dispose of the needle in a sharps container and return your vial to the fridge
Rotating sites: Use a simple rotation - for example: left abdomen, right abdomen, left thigh, right thigh, then repeat. Keep a note in your phone or medication box. Avoid your belly button, and any scars, moles, bruised or irritated skin.
Needle tip: If the needle sticks or is hard to insert, let the vial sit out of the fridge for about 15 minutes to warm slightly before drawing. Make sure any replacement needles match the correct unit markings for your syringe.
If you have a reaction at the injection site: mild redness or irritation right after injecting is normal. Rotate away from that site for your next dose and apply a cold compress to reduce redness or swelling. Contact your provider through the portal if the redness spreads, worsens, or has not settled within a day or two. Seek immediate medical attention for signs of a severe allergic reaction such as swelling, difficulty breathing, or hives.
Travelling with your medication
You can bring your medication and syringes in your carry-on bag. Keep them in your carry-on rather than checked luggage, so they stay with you and are not exposed to the temperatures in the hold.
At the security checkpoint in the United States:
Tell the officer you have medically necessary liquids at the start of screening.
Liquid medication is allowed in excess of the usual 3.4oz / 100ml limit when it is medically necessary, and it does not need to go in a zip-top bag.
Take it out of your bag so it can be screened separately.
Unused syringes are allowed when they are with your injectable medication. Declare them as well.
Ice packs used to keep medication cold are allowed, including when they have partly melted. Declare them at the checkpoint.
The final decision on any item rests with the officer at the checkpoint.
Labelling: TSA does not require medication to be in its original labelled container, but a clear label makes screening easier, and some states have their own labelling rules. Travelling with your vial in its pharmacy-labelled packaging is the simplest way to cover both.
Letter of medical necessity: Belle can provide one if you would like documentation for your trip. Message the care team from your patient portal and we will send it to you.
Keeping it cold: pack it in an insulated bag or small cooler with an ice pack. For how long your vial is safe out of the fridge, see the storage guidance above, and always check the label on your vial.
Travelling outside the United States: rules vary by country, and Belle cannot advise on the requirements of a specific country. Please research the rules for your destination yourself before you travel. We can still provide a letter of medical necessity on request.
Please note: this guidance is based on TSA's published rules, which can change. Always check the current TSA guidance, and the rules for your destination, yourself before you travel.