It’s very common to want a leaner body during the summer months, especially when on holiday. T-shirts and sundresses are everywhere; everyone wants to look good in their vacation photos - however, for some, weight loss is a year-long issue. We at Prescription Doctor want to help you get the most out of your weight-loss treatments this summer, and ensure that you stay safe doing so.
Those on GLP-1 treatments have more considerations and complications to take into account. Weight-loss medications tend to be quite strict in how and when you’re allowed to take them, and they often demand lifestyle and dietary changes in order to maximise their effects. How does this schedule transfer when abroad?
With more and more people taking these treatments every day, we have compiled this handy guide to your summer holiday - everything you could need to know, from preparing for a trip, what to do while out there, and what to expect when returning home.
Summertime can be perfect for weight loss when conducted safely. Higher temperatures can naturally decrease appetite for many people, while longer days let you fit in more exercise late into the evening. Compared to winter, when it gets dark after 6pm, you may be less inclined to go for a jog or a cycle, but when it stays light until 10pm, many people find the motivation and confidence to do so.
However, in hot weather, exercise can make you even more dehydrated than usual. It is vitally important to keep up your fluid intake throughout the day. Weight-loss treatments can make you dehydrated anyway as a knock-on effect of vomiting, so very frequent water breaks are strongly advised.
Yes, going on holiday may affect your weight-loss treatment if you aren't careful, so it is important to plan everything ahead of going away. While away, you should keep up your exercise so as not to lose any weight-loss momentum, though it doesn’t have to be the same kind of exercise that you would perform at home.
For a city break, morning and evening walks can be a pleasant way to get your blood pumping. On a beach holiday, you may find swimming or water aerobics to be effective. Out in the countryside? Try to find a beginner-friendly hiking trail nearby.
If in a hot country like Spain or Italy, avoid exercising at midday, when the sun is at its peak. Stay hydrated throughout, and stay in the shade as much as you can. Keep yourself active, but keep yourself safe while doing so.

Prescription Doctor offers a range of weight loss options, and some will be better suited to travel than others. Knowing what you need to prepare before you make holiday plans will help down the line, since you don't want to sort it out at the last minute.
Treatment | Administration | Effectiveness (On average) | Storage Requirements | Travel Requirements | Quantity Needed (For 4 Weeks Away) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Injection, Once-Weekly | Refrigerated if unused, under 30°C once opened | In its original packaging, in hand luggage | One KiwkPen | ||
Oral, Daily | Keep in its original packaging, away from light and moisture | In your hand luggage | One pack (containing at least 28/30 doses) | ||
Oral, Daily | Keep in its original packaging, away from light and moisture | In your hand luggage | One pack (containing at least 28/30 doses) | ||
Injection, Once-Weekly | Refrigerated if unused, under 30°C once opened | In its original packaging, in hand luggage | One multi-use pen or four single-use pens (administration dependent) | ||
Injection, Daily | Refrigerated if unused, under 30°C once opened | In its original packaging, in hand luggage | Between two and five pens (dosage dependent) |
As you can see, some treatments will require you to pack a lot more of their medication than others. A Mounjaro KwikPen contains a whole month’s worth of injections, whereas the highest dosage of Nevolat requires you to take one injection every day, so planning ahead and ensuring you have enough medication to last the length of your holiday is vital.
It is also advisable to take more than you may need for any given length of time, in case there is an issue with one of the doses you brought. Unlike the injections, the pills do not require cold storage, which may also affect your travel/luggage plans.
For weekly weight-loss treatments like Mounjaro and Wegovy pens, time zone changes will have less of an effect, and it isn’t something you need to adjust to - as long as the administrations are on the same day each week, you will be fine. Wegovy pills do not have to be taken at the same time each day; the only administrative factor is the 8-hour fast before and 30-minute fast after taking. Foundayo has no fasting requirements and can be taken at any time of day. This leaves Nevolat, which can certainly be affected by time zones, as the change is more immediate.
Nevolat must be taken around the same time each day, so try to adjust to your new time zone by counting how many hours ahead/behind you will be, and set a timer on your phone to remind you when to take your medication. For example, if you usually take an injection at 9am and your holiday destination is 5 hours ahead, set a timer for 2pm and take the injection then.
If you will be abroad for more than a few days, try to gradually return to your usual time by taking your medication an hour or two closer towards it each day. If the time zone difference is only 1-3 hours, this adjustment may not be necessary.
If you miss a dose while on holiday, don’t panic; it won't harm your treatment.
Different GLP-1 treatments have different advice for missed doses:
Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed one.
If you find you’re missing frequent doses on holiday, i.e. more than a week has elapsed without you taking any, ask your clinician what to do - they may recommend you stop taking them altogether for the remainder of your time abroad. If this had occurred at home, you would have been able to tell your clinician, and they may be able to reduce your dosage again, depending on your treatment.
However, when on holiday, your clinician will not be available to help you obtain a lower dosage, so you should wait until you’re home again to inform them of what happened; they can assess the situation from there. If you can contact your clinician by phone or email while on holiday, do so. They may not be able to reduce your dose, but they can advise you on what to do next.
Absolutely not. It may be tempting to try and ‘fast-track’ your way to a slimmer summer body, but it is entirely ill-advised. Never take weight-loss treatments from unreputable sources, as not only will there be no clinician to monitor and maintain your progress, but that’s if you even make any progress to begin with. There is zero guarantee that what you are swallowing or injecting into your body is what the seller claims it to be.
No matter how official their website looks or how knowledgeable they sound over the phone, never trust an unregulated seller. You may end up paying a fortune to inject harmful, contaminated chemicals into your body. Always check that the place you’re purchasing a prescription from is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. Otherwise, they will care more about your wallet than your health. Our customers' safety will always be our top priority.
The various countries and cultures of the world have too many kinds of food for us to list comprehensively in one article, but here are some of the common food types you should prioritise when abroad:
Remember, keep your portion sizes low. Don’t be ashamed to have a starter or two instead of a main, and stop when you feel full. As for what not to eat, avoid spicy, high-fat, and high-sugar foods. Ideally, keep alcohol to a minimum too, and drink water with your meals, as it will aid digestion.
Summertime is especially popular with tourists and holiday-makers, and we often get questions from those on weight loss treatments who are about to go abroad. Here are some of the most frequent ones we receive:
Going on holiday with friends and family who aren’t aware of your treatment can be daunting, and it is perfectly reasonable to feel this way. If mealtimes are making you wary, have a plan in your head for what you can say if you're asked any awkward questions. You may simply say you’re watching your figure, and leave it at that.
If you are being encouraged by those around you to disregard your treatment, hearing phrases such as “You’re on holiday, enjoy yourself!” - don’t give in. Stay strong, and your body will thank you. Keep your weight loss goals in mind, and think of your slimmer figure. To be committed to a weight loss journey requires strength in the first place, and that strength will carry you through any peer pressure or judgements you may receive. If you’re struggling to deal with these feelings, talking with a trusted friend or family member always helps. Always remember, you are never alone.
Losing progress or gaining weight back on holiday shouldn't happen if you stick to a healthy diet and regular exercise; however, in some cases, weight loss momentum may slow. We know holidays are a time to let loose and eat and drink more than you normally would.
So long as you keep up the treatment and the lifestyle changes as best you can, you should be able to pick up momentum again when you get back home. Post-holiday workouts can be tough, but they can also motivate you to keep up with treatment.
If you come home after a holiday and have gained some weight, the first thing to do is not blame yourself or let yourself get discouraged about continuing. Getting back on track is simple and just requires you to return to a routine of healthy eating, regular exercise, and frequent hydration. Ideally, you should have kept all these up while abroad, but we understand it isn’t always possible.
You should, however, have stuck to your treatment dosage schedule. If you haven’t, please see the above section on “What If I Miss A Dose On Holiday”.
No, you must stick to your current treatment while on holiday. Switching between treatments can occur, but only via clinician approval and under their supervision. Starting any new treatment, no matter how similar it is to your previous one, will likely cause unwanted side effects, which are not ideal to endure while abroad.
If you do want to switch treatments, speak with your clinician as soon as you can. They can guide you through the process.
At Prescription Doctor, we’re here to help with your weight loss journey, no matter the season. From the moment you begin any of our safe and effective treatments, our team of talented clinicians will be ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have and offer the support you need. They’re available throughout the day via WhatsApp, email or a phone call - whatever best suits you.
We’ve been helping people with weight loss since 2013 and have plenty of positive customer reviews under our belt. Prescription Doctor prides itself on being trustworthy and discreet, and our dispensing pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, so you know our reliability shines brighter than the holiday sun. Begin a consultation today, and we can work together to help you reach your ideal body.

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