I work in a compounding lab so I can add some context. We do stability testing on our reconstituted semaglutide. Our internal data shows:
- Refrigerated (2–8°C): >95% potency retained at 30 days, >90% at 45 days
- Room temp (25°C): >95% potency at 7 days, ~90% at 14 days, ~80% at 28 days
- Elevated temp (37°C): ~85% potency at 7 days, rapid decline after that
This is why we label for refrigeration with a 28-day BUD (beyond-use date). At room temp, the product is still viable for quite a while but the degradation is measurable and accelerating. For a few days of travel, you're absolutely fine. For weeks at room temp, you're gradually losing potency.
And to be clear — "degradation" here means loss of active peptide. The degradation products are not harmful, you're just getting less drug per injection.
Previously posted:Room temp (25°C): >95% potency at 7 days, ~90% at 14 days, ~80% at 28 days
This is fantastic data, thank you. So at room temp you lose roughly 5% per week and ~20% over a month. That means even a vial left out for an entire week is still at 95% potency — functionally the same dose. The 28-day BUD is conservative (as it should be for labeling purposes).
For CarlaRPh_TPA's situation of 2–3 day trips, the potency loss is negligible — probably less than 1–2%. Not worth stressing about.
This is the most informative thread I've ever read on this forum. Actual stability data, practical travel solutions, and a clear answer to my question. I'm ordering a FRIO wallet for longer trips but I'm no longer going to stress about 2-day trips with air conditioning.
Thank you to everyone in this thread. This community is incredible. 🙏
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Shop Reference StandardsPinning this thread in the Storage & Handling section. Thank you for sharing the compounding lab data — that kind of real-world stability information is invaluable. As always, excellent evidence-based guidance from our pharmacist contributors.
One last reminder for everyone: when in doubt, err on the side of refrigeration. And if your reconstituted solution looks cloudy, discolored, or has visible particles, discard it regardless of how it was stored.