Travelling while on weight loss treatment

Passport? Check. Sunscreen? Got it. But if you’re travelling with weight-loss treatment, prepping your injections ahead of time and readying your mindset for your sun-soaked break can take a load off your mind, keep your injections safe, and help you stick to your routine.

It’s a holiday – you don’t need to be perfect, however long you’re away. But a little planning can help you relax rather than worry about your treatment.

This guide covers storing your pens, reordering before departure, adjusting your injection schedule, and staying on course with your daily movement and eating patterns while you’re travelling.

Key Points:

• Weight loss medication is more travel-friendly than many people expect, as long as you reorder before you leave and carry the injections in your hand luggage.
• A simple weekly approach can help you navigate time zones and routine changes. The medication allows a little flexibility around injection timing; just be sure to avoid double dosing.
• You can work in daily movement and small treats without guilt while sticking to your routine.

Storing and refrigerating your pen when travelling

Keeping your pen close to hand and at the right temperature is vital when you’re on the move, especially if you’re checking luggage for a flight.

Having your medication in your hand luggage avoids exposing it to the cargo hold, where temperatures can drop below freezing. Extreme cold could affect how your injections work. It also means that if your luggage is lost or delayed, you still have your medication with you.

The same goes for warmer climates, where you might need to protect your injections from high heat. Medical travel pouches with cooling inserts are available, so consider getting one to transport your medications. Reusable cool packs can also help keep your medications at a steady temperature without freezing them.

Keeping a letter from your pharmacist or GP with you can also help avoid complications when you’re travelling, especially overseas. This is available from your provider upon request.

Time zones and when to inject

Adjusting to time zones can be challenging, especially if you’re traveling far. But don’t need to affect how you time your dose, even if you inject on a weekly schedule. Simply pick a local time that feels comfortable and keep up your 7-day gap between doses.

Depending on the time zone you’re in, it may not be practical to adjust to your usual time. You don’t have to worry: the timing of the injections allows for some flexibility, and the 7-day gap matters more than injecting at exactly the same time every week.

Avoiding a double-dose is crucial, so you don’t need to “catch up” to match a time zone change. Your weight-loss medications are intended for use no more than once a week.

To help you manage your adjusted schedule, set a reminder on your phone. If you’re off having fun, you might forget your usual routine or the new time you set to take your medication.

Reordering and planning before you travel

Before you travel, make sure you have enough medication to last for your entire time away. This matters less on a weekend city break, but if you’re away for a few weeks, make sure your stock is topped up.

Order at least two to three weeks ahead of your departure, as delivery times can change depending on demand. If you order during busy holiday periods, near bank holidays, or on weekends, it might take longer to receive your medications.

Top up your Mounjaro injections here.

Top up your Wegovy injections here.

Holiday nutrition

You don’t need to get your usual routine spot-on while you’re enjoying yourself on holiday, but following a few tips can help you stay on top of your progress without sacrificing comfort.

Prioritise foods high in protein, like grilled fish, chicken, beans, or eggs, and make them the focus of your plate. Plenty of cuisines have exciting, protein-forward options to try; these can increase feelings of fullness while allowing you to sample the local culture.

Travelling can present challenges that may affect your progress. You don’t need to panic or punish yourself if they get in the way, but be aware of the following:

• Buffet-style meals can make nonstop grazing easier and more appealing.
• Sugar-loaded cocktails can cause blood sugar spikes, leading to fatigue and low energy.
• Dehydration can worsen side effects like bloating or constipation, particularly in hot weather.

Drinking plenty of water can help you stay hydrated, reduce some of the medication's side effects, and stay safe in the sun. This can help you feel at your best for your whole trip, which you deserve as part of your break.

Light movement while travelling

Travel is a change of scenery, not routines, and it’s still helpful to stay active on holiday. But it’s likely that not only are you moving more than you realise, you’re also having fun doing it.

You might be moving more simply by walking through markets, going on cycle tours, or climbing stairs to reach great photo ops. Even if you’re at a resort, swimming in the pool, getting stuck in with poolside activities, or hitting up the hotel gym for a light session can add to your activity levels.

You can also try some light exercise in your hotel room if you don’t fancy seeing the inside of a gym while you’re away. The key is having a mindset built on consistency rather than a specific routine.

By combining movement with fun and exploration, you can enjoy your holiday to the max without feeling added pressure. Plus, you’re maintaining your progress and supporting your body after all that hard work.

Easy ways to move more on holiday

• Take the stairs up to your room instead of the lift.
• Go for strolls around the area after meals.
• Explore local markets, sights, cities, and countryside on foot.
• Try a cycle tour or scuba diving.
• Go for morning swims in the pool or try fun water sports, like water polo.
• Go dancing in the evenings.
• Try light stretching or bodyweight exercises in your hotel room.

What happens if you have side effects on holiday

Managing Mounjaro or Wegovy side effects looks the same whether you’re on holiday or going about your normal routine.

Staying hydrated is vital if you have diarrhoea, constipation, or nausea. If you’re sweating more, you’re losing more bodily fluids, so you might need to drink more water than usual to top up.

Drinking alcohol might also increase dehydration. Try alternating alcoholic beverages with a glass of water.

Most side effects improve with time and hydration, but speak to a local doctor if you have severe stomach pain, as these medications can on rare occasions lead to an inflamed pancreas. Also seek medical help if you’re experiencing vision changes.

What about increasing your dose while travelling?

People often avoid increasing their dose during their holidays to reduce their risk of side effects. Discuss planned dose increases with your doctor if you feel uncomfortable upping your Wegovy or Mounjaro dose while you’re away.

You might feel that it’s hard getting help if you’re having side effects in an unfamiliar environment. Also, if you’re looking forward to time away, you might not want side effects to interfere, especially if you already have some on your current dose.

Speak to your prescribing pharmacist or GP if you have any concerns. They’ll make decisions based on your lifestyle, treatment goals, and health journey to support your progress in a way that fits with your life. Don’t change your dose up or down without first speaking to a provider.

Travelling while on weight loss maintenance

Travelling during the maintenance phase of your weight-loss treatment is the same as travelling during any other phase. A little planning goes a long way to keep you consistent and confident.

A few things to bear in mind include:

• Order your medication a few weeks before you travel to stay stocked up while you’re away.
• Keep your medication cool, safe, and close to hand when you’re travelling.
• Check the local regulations around bringing in prescribed medications. Your destination’s embassy or local authority can provide all the info you need.
• Carry the medication in its original packaging, making sure it’s clearly labelled.
• Keep a copy of your doctor’s letter or prescription on you.

Your maintenance phase can be stress-free and easy, helping you feel your best while enjoying your time away.

Keeping up the habits you’ve worked so hard to build, like drinking enough water, eating nutritious, balanced meals, and moving regularly, can keep your maintenance going strong.

Top tips from a pharmacist

"Travelling on weight loss treatment is much simpler than most people think. A bit of planning before you go is all it takes to keep things on track.

"My advice is to enjoy your holiday, try new foods, stay active in ways that feel fun, and don't put pressure on yourself to be perfect. You can absolutely have a great time and stay on course with your treatment.

"If you’re concerned about your pen making it to your destination safely, check the solution when you get to your destination. If it looks cloudy, has an “off” colour, or contains small particles floating in it, it has been exposed to extremely high or low temperatures. This isn’t safe to use.

"Some countries, especially outside Europe, have strict rules around bringing in prescription medications. Request a copy of your prescription and a doctor’s letter before you travel, and carry these with you to steer clear of trouble.

"If you do notice worse side effects while you’re away – which is totally possible due to dehydration or changes in what you’re eating – don’t suddenly stop taking your medications. You don’t need to worry. Stick to smaller portions and increase your water intake instead.

"Contact your prescribing doctor or pharmacy if symptoms last longer than 48 hours."

Ayesha Bashir, myBMI weight loss expert

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes, but don’t put it in a freezer compartment or directly against the rear wall of the fridge. Freezing spoils the medication and means you can’t use it.

What if my flight delays my injection day?

Delays are frustrating, but don’t add to the stress by worrying about your injection. A delay of hours or even a day won’t mess up your treatment. Just take the medications when you can and start a new weekly schedule from there.

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

Drink alcohol only in moderation, as it can worsen side effects like nausea and diarrhoea and make you feel hungrier. Pace yourself, and alternate between alcoholic drinks and glasses of water to stay hydrated.

Summary of travelling while on weight loss treatment

Whether it’s for work or pleasure, travelling is a time for you, so don’t let your treatment plan get in the way. With a little planning, you can maintain your progress without sacrificing your safety or enjoyment. Your medication schedule and health routine are flexible enough to allow for small changes.

If you have any concerns or questions, speak to your prescriber.

Sources

• Diabetes medicines GLP-1 agonists. (2022). NHS. [Access on February 1, 2026]
• GLP-1 agonists. (2025). Diabetes UK. [Access on February 1, 2026]
• GLP‑1 mimetic therapy Factsheet. (2022). NHS. [Access on February 1, 2026]
• Oral GLP-1 Analogues. (Semaglutide) NHS. [Access on February 1, 2026]