GLP-1 Storage & Handling: Safety Guide

Published January 11, 2026 | Safety Protocol | 5 min read

Improper storage ruins medication. One hot day in your car = whole vial wasted. This guide covers proper handling for Lagos climate.

Storage Rules: The Basics

Before First Use (Unused Pens): 2-8°C (fridge temperature). Original packaging. Away from light. Stable for 28 days once removed from fridge (don't re-refrigerate).

After First Use (In-Use Pens): Room temperature (15-30°C) is OK for 28 days. OR keep refrigerated if you prefer. Don't exceed 30°C.

NEVER FREEZE: Freezing destroys medication. If accidentally frozen, don't use.

Practical Lagos Storage

The Challenge: Lagos is hot (25-35°C typical). Your medication needs cool environment.

Solution 1: Home Refrigerator (Best)

Store in dedicated compartment (not freezer, not door). Keep thermometer in fridge - ensure 2-8°C maintained. Most Lagos fridges adequate if set correctly.

Problem: Power cuts. If fridge goes down, medication exposed to room temperature.

Solution: Buy cooler bag with ice packs. Transfer medication during power cuts (6-12 hours safe in cool bag).

Solution 2: Cooler Bag (For Daily Use/Travel)

EkoPeptide provides insulated cooler bag with ice packs. Use for:

  • Carrying to office (pens stay cool 8-10 hours)
  • Weekend trips within Lagos
  • Power cut backup (keep frozen packs, transfer pens)

A cooler bag and ice packs are strongly recommended to protect temperature‑sensitive medication during travel and power cuts.

What NOT to Do

Car Dashboard/Trunk: Heats to 50°C+. Ruins medication in hours. Never leave in car.

Bathroom Medicine Cabinet: Hot/humid. Humidity + heat = degradation. Bad choice.

Windowsill/Sunlight: Direct sun = immediate degradation. Keep in dark place always.

With Ice Directly Touching Pen: Will freeze medication (ice contact). Use cooler bag with insulation between ice and pens.

Signs Medication Has Been Damaged

Don't use if any of these:

When in doubt, don't use. Contact EkoPeptide - we replace damaged stock.

Injection Safety Steps

Step 1: Check Medication

Remove from fridge 15 minutes before injection. Let reach room temperature. Check: clear, no particles, valid expiration. Discard if questionable.

Step 2: Wash Hands

Soap and water. 20 seconds. This prevents infection at injection site.

Step 3: Choose Injection Site

Abdomen (easiest) or outer thigh. Rotate sites weekly (prevents lipohypertrophy - bumps from repeated site use).

Step 4: Clean Site

Alcohol swab. 30 seconds. Let dry completely (speeds up injection, cleaner entry).

Step 5: Inject

Pinch skin. Insert needle at 45-90 degree angle. Push plunger slowly (90 seconds total injection time). Remove needle. Don't rub site.

Step 6: Needle Disposal

Never throw in trash. Put in sharps container (sealable plastic bottle is fine) or return used pens to pharmacy for disposal.

Travel Within Nigeria

Short Trips (<24 hours)

Cooler bag with ice packs. Pens stay safe 24+ hours. Room temperature ok for 24-48 hours as backup.

Longer Trips (International)

Important: Check destination country laws. Some countries restrict GLP-1 imports. EkoPeptide can advise specific destinations.

When traveling, bring:

Power Cut Protocol (Lagos-Specific)

What to do if power cuts during fridge use:

  1. Don't open fridge immediately (preserves cool)
  2. If power out <6 hours: medication safe in closed fridge
  3. If power out 6-12 hours: Transfer pens to cooler bag with ice packs
  4. If power out >12 hours: Assume fridge warmed up, move to cool bag
  5. Once power back on, can return to fridge

Prevention: Buy cooler bag + keep frozen ice packs in freezer. During power cut, you can maintain cool chain for 24+ hours.

Ordering & Delivery Handling

EkoPeptide delivers with insulated cooler + ice packs. When package arrives:

  1. Open immediately and check medication condition
  2. Refrigerate right away (even if cooler still cold)
  3. Keep cooler bag for future use/travel
  4. Keep ice packs - refreeze for next use

Questions About Your Specific Medication

Different formulations have slightly different storage requirements. EkoPeptide provides:

STORAGE QUESTIONS?

WhatsApp for immediate guidance • We ensure your medication stays safe

References

  1. Wilding JPH, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021.
  2. Jastreboff AM, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo

MBBS, FMCP - Endocrinology

Content reviewed by qualified healthcare professionals for accuracy.