Flying with Weight Loss Medications: A Canadian Guide to Airport Security and Travel

Whether you're off on a domestic getaway or you're travelling further afield, planning ahead and preparing your medication for travel can support a smooth start to your vacation.

If you're planning on travelling with prescription medication like weight loss injections or pills, here's what you need to know.

Article Summary:

• When you’re travelling with any medication, it’s worth checking the rules and regulations for your specific medication in the country you’re visiting beforehand. It’s also a good idea to check your airline’s medication policy in advance.
• We recommend you keep any medication in your checked bag for the duration of your journey. This is to help protect temperature-sensitive medications, and also ensure you have easy access to your medication at all times.
• You’ll need to declare your medication during the screening process, and should also bring its original packaging for a smoother travel experience.

Travelling with weight loss medication: domestic vs international travel

Travelling out of Canada (internationally)

If you're travelling abroad, it's worth factoring your prescription medicines and any over-the-counter (OTC) medication into your travel planning. Remember, prescription medication which is classed as legal in Canada may not be in other countries. Always check before you travel, and make sure you carry the relevant documents (like your prescription and a note from your clinician) for any prescription medication you're bringing into the country. [1]

Packing your medication's original packaging will also help with the screening process, and make it easier for officials to identify the medication.

Also, make sure that you bring enough medication for the duration of your trip, as you may not be able to access your medication in the country you're visiting if you run out.

Travelling in Canada (domestically)

Even if you're travelling within Canada, it's still important to bring your medication's original packaging with you.

And, as with international travel, it's better to bring enough medication for the entirety of the trip. This is because different provinces and territories may have different rules on dispensing out-of-province prescriptions.

Whether you're travelling internationally or domestically, it's also worth checking the individual travel policy of your airline (including travelling with medication) before you fly.

Can you bring weight loss pens on a plane?

Yes, you can bring weight loss injections on a plane if your medication is for personal use. We recommend that you store any medication in your carry-on luggage.

This is because weight loss injections are subject to strict storage requirements. Unused injectable pens should be stored in a cool space, between 2°C to 8°C. [2, 3] However, the cargo hold of a plane (where checked baggage is stored) may experience temperature fluctuations. Keeping your treatment with you, in an insulated travel case, may help stabilize the temperature range for your injectable medication.

After first use, some multi-use pens may be stored at room temperature up to 30°C for a limited period, but this depends on the specific medication and brand. [4]

Read on to learn how to best pack your injection pens for travel, and to support a smooth security screening experience.

Can you bring weight loss pills on a plane?

Yes, you can also bring weight loss pills on a plane. Like with injectable medications, we recommend you pack these in your carry-on luggage so you have access to it at all times.

How to pack your medication for travel

Injectable pens

If you're travelling with an unused injectable pen, pack it in your hand luggage in an insulated travel case, with gel packs or cooling bags, to regulate its temperature during transit. Don’t put your pens in the cargo hold. Not only could temperature fluctuations damage the medication, but hold bags can get lost or delayed, which could affect your dosing schedule.

We also recommend that you let your airline know about any injectable pens that may require in-flight refrigeration when booking or at check-in.

Make sure that your pen needle's cap (or guard) is safely in place at all times during travel. If you need to dispose of your pen needles or injectable pens during your vacation, it's worth investing in a travel-sized sharps container to make sure you can do so safely.

Pills

If you use a day-by-day pill separator, this shouldn't be an issue. However, we would still advise you to take your medication's original packaging with you.

Weight loss medication and airport security rules

If you use an injectable weight loss treatment, you might be wondering if the liquid vial counts towards your liquid limit. You may also have queries or concerns about how to keep your medication bag safe and security-friendly.

The good news is that prescription medication doesn't need to be placed in your 1L plastic bag. Gel packs and cooling packs are also exempt, if they're being used for refrigerating medicine. So, if you have a temperature-sensitive medication that needs to be kept cool, you can keep it in your insulated travel case. [5]

When you reach security screening at the airport, you should declare your medication and any medical supplies. You'll be asked to present all medications to the security officer for inspection. That's why it's best to keep your medication in an easy-to-access area of your checked baggage, to help to make security screening a smoother process. And, in addition to the original packaging, make sure that your medication has a professionally printed label, identifying the medication and the pharmaceutical company.

To learn more about what you can and can't take on your travels, visit Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)’s dedicated page.

Top tips for travelling with weight loss medication

• Whether you're travelling internationally or domestically, it's important that you keep all of your medications with you in your carry-on luggage. This is to make sure you can access it at all times, and it may also help if you need to provide further information about your medication at any point during your journey.
• If you're experiencing side effects from your medication, or you're anticipating side effects, you may also want to bring OTC medication (like anti-diarrheals, laxatives and antacids) with you to minimize discomfort during your vacation.
• It's really important to make sure you have up-to-date travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
• If you’re currently on a weight management journey and travelling somewhere hot and sunny, be sure to take appropriate precautions to avoid heat exhaustion.
• In addition to the original packaging, bring your Patient Medication Information (PMI) with you. It includes important information on dosage instructions and storage requirements, as well as what to do if you happen to miss a dose.
• If you have any specific questions about travelling with prescription medicines (and specifically weight loss injectable pens or oral tablets), contact CATSA directly in advance of your travel plans.

If you're considering treatment for weight management, help is available. Find out which treatment may be suitable for you with MedExpress.

A note from the experts: This article is for general information and should not be taken as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We make sure everything we publish is reviewed by clinical experts and updated regularly, but it may not always reflect the most recent health guidance. Always speak to a healthcare professional about any health concerns.

Prescriptions are discretionary and subject to a clinical assessment by a licensed healthcare practitioner. Prescriptions are dispensed by an independent pharmacy. Not all patients will qualify. Results vary. Services are not insured by any province’s public health insurance.

References

1. Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada. Travelling with medication - Travel.gc.ca [Internet]. Travel.gc.ca. 2018 [cited 2026 July 17]. Available from: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/medication

2. Wegovy ® (semaglutide injection) Product Monograph Unclassified / Non classifié Product Monograph Including Patient Medication Information PR WEGOVY ® semaglutide injection Solution for Subcutaneous Injection in a pre-filled pen Produced by recombinant DNA technology in Saccharomyces cerevisiae [Internet]. [cited 2026 July 17]. Available from: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00082777.PDF

3. Details for: ZEPBOUND - Drug and Health Products Portal [Internet]. Hpfb-dgpsa.ca. 2026 [cited 2026 July 17]. Available from: https://dhpp.hpfb-dgpsa.ca/dhpp/resource/106083

4. Travelling with Mounjaro® KwikPen® | Lilly Canada [Internet]. Lilly.com. 2026 [cited 2026 July 17]. Available from: https://www.lilly.com/en-ca/medicines/medicine-faqs/mounjaro-kwikpen/travelling-with-mounjaro

5. Medication and Medical Items - CATSA [Internet]. Catsa-acsta.gc.ca. 2024 [cited 2026 July 17]. Available from: https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en/what-can-bring/medication-and-medical-items