Your ultimate guide to travelling with fat jabs or pills – from costly errors to side effects & rules to avoid disaster

WEIGHT loss jabs and pills are weaving themselves into the fabric of our daily lives and chances are you know someone taking them – or be on them yourself. The drugs have turned the tide on obesity, with almost four million Brits alone estimated to have taken the jabs, known medically as GLP-1s, since they arrived in the UK. Taking your weight loss jabs on holiday? It’s not just a matter of throwing them in your bag Credit: Getty But when travelling you can’t throw them in your bag like a pack of paracetamol. For many, the prospect of going abroad with medications may be a nerve-racking experience. They require a certain amount of forethought and planning, otherwise you risk grappling with nasty side effects while on holiday or even rendering the drugs ineffective. Some also need to be kept cool which can prove a headache while you’re travelling as well as when you reach sunnier shores. But aside from packing your meds safely and finding a spot to store them on holiday, you may also need to declare them to your airline and health insurance provider and bring documentation with you. Read on for your essential holiday weight loss jab checklist. BEFORE TAKEOFF Not every country in the world has approved the same weight loss drugs as the UK has Credit: Alamy Check restrictions IF you’re going abroad for more than a week, it’s a good idea to check whether your Wegovy pill or jab of choice – Mounjaro, Ozempic or Wegovy – has been approved in your travel destination. Not every country in the world has approved the same weight loss drugs as the UK has. Airport officials may have questions about any medication they find. The Association of British Travel Agents told ITV News it is always advisable to consult Foreign Office travel advice to see if there are any restrictions in place when taking medications into the country you are visiting. 2. Get documentation YOU might also want to bring proof you were prescribed the jabs too. “You should carry the prescription from your doctor, just in case you are questioned about the medication,” Dr Sue Kenneally, a weight management specialist at Boots Online Doctor, suggests. “Airlines usually allow you to carry medication in your hand luggage, but you may need supporting documents for some types of medication,” she says. “It’s a good idea to bring a printed copy of your prescription in case you’re asked for proof at security or customs. “Some countries such as Japan, UAE, China and Singapore have stricter policies on prescription medications, particularly controlled substances or those used for weight management. “Check the specific regulations of your destination country before you travel. If you’re taking out a travel insurance policy, disclose any pre-existing conditions and medication to avoid jeopardisingcover.” Dr Babak Ashrafi, a GP at Superdrug Online Doctor, echoes this advice. “Always carry your weight loss pens in their original packaging, which should clearly state your name and dosage.” The 5 medications that could see you JAILED if you take them on holiday this summer IF you're heading abroad this summer, packing some preventative medicines might seem like the sensible thing to do. But be warned, some common drugs, including antihistamines and painkillers, could land you with hefty fines or even jail time in certain countries. While these meds are legal to buy over the counter in the UK, they’re banned or tightly restricted in several countries. And being caught with them, even by accident, can mean your dream holiday turns into a nightmare. Here’s what to watch out for: 1. Antihistamines Hay fever sufferers, take note. Japan has some of the strictest anti-stimulant drug laws in the world – and that includes antihistamines, the Foreign Office has previously warned. Popular allergy treatments like Vicks inhalers and Sudafed are banned and could get you arrested at the airport. Anyone caught bringing them in risks detention or deportation. 2. Codeine The opioid painkiller, codeine, is banned in over 25 countries, including several in Europe. Yet in the UK, you don’t even need a prescription – co-codamol, which combines codeine with paracetamol, is available from pharmacies. Even bringing small amounts of the stuff abroad to certain places can get you into serious trouble. In Hungary, it carries up to five years in jail. In Slovakia, it’s three. 3. Sleeping pills The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have a zero tolerance on an array of over-the-counter medications that are sold daily in the UK. Sleeping pills like temazepam, which are legal here, are strictly banned in the Emirates, and getting caught with them could land you behind bars. Even if you have a prescription from your GP, you’ll need to apply for approval from the UAE Ministry of Health before travelling. 4. Cannabis-related products Even CBD oil with zero THC is illegal in countries like Singapore, the UAE, and Japan, among others. It doesn’t matter if it’s for anxiety or pain, all cannabis products are banned in these regions. Getting caught with CBD at the airport could lead to arrest, detention, or even deportation. For example, in China, it is illegal to bring CBD into the country, with possession carrying a potential jail time of seven years. This is because in some places, possession is treated the same way as carrying hard drugs. It’s generally not recommended to travel abroad with any CBD based products. 5. ADHD medicines Stimulants used to treat ADHD are a major red flag in some countries. In Japan, they are completely banned, even with a prescription. To bring them in legally, you’ll need special clearance from the Japanese government, including medical proof – a process that takes weeks. 3. Declare your meds TRAVEL Health Pro recommends you contact your airline in advance to make appropriate arrangements if you need to travel with injectable medicines. You should also tell your health insurance provider you’re on the jabs. Simon McCulloch from Staysure says: “Tell your travel insurer about the medication. “Just like with any other prescription drug, it needs to be declared as part of your medical screening when you buy travel insurance. “If you leave it off, you’re risking any related claims being rejected.” 4. Plan your doses TAKE stock of how long you’ll be away and how many doses you’ll need during that time. Weight loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro tend to be taken on a weekly basis, but a jab like Saxenda needs to be injected daily. The Wegovy pill is also taken daily. You may want to include extra doses, in case you’re subject to unexpected travel delays or accidentally misplace your meds. The Sun’s Health Kick survey revealed 6 per cent of readers are using fat jabs IN TRANSIT FINALLY it’s time to set off on your hols. Here’s what you need to know about bringing your jabs to the airport. Hold or carry-on? NOT sure whether to pack your meds or bring them with you in your hand luggage? “Check your airline’s policies,” Kenny advises. “Most airlines allow medications in both hand luggage and checked baggage, but it is advisable to keep them in your carry-on to avoid extreme temperatures in the cargo hold. “Ensure the medication is easily accessible for security checks. Most airlines have fridges, check if the medicines can be kept in the fridge.” Dr Kenneally adds: “While weight loss injections require refrigeration, weight loss pills should be stored at room temperature, meaning they don’t need any special temperature storage conditions. “Ensure they are kept in carry-on luggage and in their original packaging. “Removing medication from original packaging risks exposing them to moisture and light which can degrade it and reduce effectiveness. “Meanwhile, cargo holds can experience extreme fluctuations intemperature and pressure which may lead to degradation of pills affecting their effectiveness and safety.” 2. Cool it down THEN comes the question of how to keep your meds cool. It’s a good idea to invest in a travel-friendly cool bag. “Travel bags with cool sections with ice packs can help keep products cool,” Kenny says. “This may be enough for short flights to keep the product at a low temperature.” But remember to check with your airline that you’re alright to travel with a cooler containing medical products. 3. Security checks GOING through security is often the most stressful part of travel – especially if you’re travelling with medicines and liquids. When you get to security checks, let agents know what you’re packing. Kenny says: “Inform security personnel that you are carrying medication that requires refrigeration. “Regulations typically allow for exceptions regarding liquid limits for medical purposes.” The common drugs that can prove FATAL in the hot weather SCORCHING temperatures forecast for the week ahead will have many reaching for their hats and sunscreen. But sunburn isn’t the only health concern you need to be mindful of. For millions of Brits, there is a darker side to the glorious summer weather as the heat can interfere with some common medications – in some cases, with life-threatening consequences. Here are the drugs to watch out for: 1. Blood pressure drugs Around 8 million people in the UK are on medication for high blood pressure, including diuretics and beta-blockers. These drugs can make it harder for the body to handle heat because they affect fluid levels and heart rate. 2. ADHD meds Medicines used to treat ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, can raise core body temperature. This is particularly true for methylphenidate, which is one of the most commonly prescribed stimulant medications for ADHD. This can make it more difficult to stay cool during hot weather, increasing the risk of overheating and heat stroke. 3. Antibiotics Doxycycline is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the UK – typically dished out to treat skin conditions and infections such as acne. However, it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn and skin reactions – even after short bursts in the sun. Frequent sunburn means you are more likely to get skin cancer – which kills six Brits every day. 4. Antidepressants For the eight million Brits taking medications like antidepressants, for example, high temperatures can turn their drugs from helpful to harmful. SSRIs, like fluoxetine and sertraline work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain – a natural chemical that regulates mood. By upping the level of serotonin, these drugs can help make people feel happier. But because these medications influence the brain’s chemicals, they also affect the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that acts as the body’s thermostat. The build-up of serotonin can make the hypothalamus less effective at sending the signals needed to control body temperature. This can lead to excess sweating, which can lead to dehydration and, paradoxically, a rise in body temperature. ON HOLIDAY NOW you’ve made it to your holiday destination, you can start to relax! But don’t forget to store your jabs or pills as specified on the packaging – and it’s a good idea to set reminders for dosage too. Refrigerate – but beware of hotel fridges NOT every weight loss jab needs to be kept in the fridge for the duration of your holiday. Mounjaro can be kept for up to 30 days outside of the fridge once opened but should not sit in temperatures higher than 30°C. But you still need to make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight or heat. As for Wegovy, this needs to be stored below 30°C, preferably, in a fridge with a temperature of 2°C to 8°C. Jason Murphy, head of pharmacy at Chemist4U, warns: “If you’re staying in a hotel, the mini-bars in rooms are often more mildly cool than medically safe. “Contact the hotel in advance and ask to store your medication in a staff fridge.” While it’s important to keep the pens cool, make sure not to freeze them. Check that your fridge doesn’t get any colder towards the back. 2. Set dosage reminders NORMAL routines usually go out of the window on holiday, and this can throw your dosage schedule out of whack. “When travelling, it can be easy to lose track of time or forget when you need to take your dose,” Jason suggests. “Set a reminder on your phone or make a note in your travel itinerary to ensure you’re staying on track with your medication.” Dr Kenneally adds: “If you’re changing time zones, adjusting your dosing times gradually can ensure you’re still leaving appropriate time between doses, bearing in mind the need to fast before taking the tablet.” 3. Dispose of needles “WHEN travelling you’ll also need to bring a safe way to dispose of used needles,” Jason goes on. “Many travel-sized sharps disposal containers are available. Make sure to have one on hand to safely dispose of used pens or needles. “This is especially important for your health and hygiene, as well as for adhering to travel regulations regarding sharp objects. “Never dispose of needles in regular bins.”