Traveling While Taking Ozempic or GLP-1 Medications: Tips, Tricks, and Comfort Snacks

Traveling is one of life’s greatest joys, but when you're managing medications like semaglutide, there are a few extra things to consider—especially keeping your medication cold and managing side effects. Here’s how to travel smoothly while staying on track with your GLP-1 regimen.

Managing Your Medication on the Go Keeping It Cool While Traveling

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide need refrigeration, which can be tricky while traveling. TSA allows you to bring gel ice packs as long as they’re frozen solid at screening. Carry your medication in a portable cooler in your carry-on, and inform TSA agents if you have any concerns. Double-check with your airline, especially for international flights, to avoid surprises.

Time Zone Adjustments Made Easy

Traveling across time zones? Set reminders on your phone’s calendar to automatically adjust with local time. Personally, I’ve found that shifting my injection time by a day or skipping a week isn’t problematic. Flexibility helps when you’re navigating busy travel days or long trips, and if needed, it’s always smart to discuss changes with your healthcare provider.

Navigating Side Effects While Traveling Managing Post-Injection Nausea

One of the common side effects of GLP-1 medications is nausea, especially after increasing your dose. High-fat foods and alcohol can intensify this, so I avoid them after taking my injection. I’ve found that when I have big trips planned, like a visit to Cancun for a friend’s President's Club trip, I’ll sometimes delay my dose. For that trip, I delayed my injection by 5 days (with my provider's approval) to avoid nausea and fully enjoy my time. It's important to have an open conversation with your provider to ensure any delays or adjustments won’t interfere with your treatment plan.

Snacks That Help

When nausea hits, salty carbs are my go-to. Dot’s pretzels are a lifesaver for me, and I’ve also found CBD helpful in managing nausea, especially during flights or long travel days.

How Semaglutide and GLP-1 Medications Work for Weight Loss

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide work in multiple ways to promote weight loss. They delay gastric emptying by slowing down how quickly food moves from the stomach to the small intestine. This effect is controlled by the vagus nerve, which regulates digestive processes. By keeping food in the stomach longer, the medication helps you feel full for an extended period, reducing the amount of food you eat.

Beyond just slowing digestion, GLP-1s also act on the brain’s appetite centers, specifically in the hypothalamus, which controls hunger. By influencing areas that regulate both hunger and feelings of reward, these medications not only decrease food intake but also reduce cravings for high-calorie foods. Research has suggested that the medication may also improve insulin sensitivity, providing an additional metabolic benefit​ (SpringerLink).

Final Thoughts

Traveling while on GLP-1 medications might take a little extra planning, but it’s completely manageable. Whether you’re adjusting your injection schedule, managing nausea, or just figuring out how to keep your meds cool, a little preparation goes a long way. Most importantly, enjoy the journey and don’t let your medication hold you back from experiencing new places and adventures.

Now it’s your turn—what’s your semaglutide comfort snack? 

Comment below and share your go-to travel snack to help manage those tricky side effects!

Works Cited

• Nauck, M. A., & Meier, J. J. (2018). Incretin hormones: Their role in health and disease. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 20(S1), 5-21. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.13314

• Perdomo, C. M., Cohen, R. V., Sumithran, P., Clement, K., & Frühbeck, G. (2023). Contemporary medical, device, and surgical therapies for obesity in adults. The Lancet, 401(10382), 1116-1130. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00423-0