Matrifen
These patches help relieve very strong and long-lasting pain.
Form
depotlaastari
Strength
12 mikrog/tunti
Active Ingredient
Fentanyl
Manufacturer
Istituto Gentili S.r.l.
How to Use
Dosage
One patch contains medicine that lasts for three days (72 hours).
Method
Change the patch every three days, at the same time, and always remove the old one first. Apply it to your upper body or arm, avoiding joints.
Important
Your doctor will decide the right strength for you. One patch is for three days. Do not change your dose yourself.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nausea, vomiting, constipation
- •Drowsiness
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
RARE
- •Allergic reaction
- •Loss of appetite
- •Sleep problems
- •Depression
- •Anxiety, confusion
- •Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)
- •Muscle tremors or twitching
- •Unusual skin sensations, such as tingling
- •Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- •Fast or irregular heartbeat
- •High blood pressure
- •Shortness of breath
- •Diarrhea
- •Dry mouth
- •Stomach pain or indigestion
- •Excessive sweating
- •Itching, rash, or red skin
- •Difficulty urinating or emptying the bladder completely
- •Strong fatigue, weakness, or general feeling of being unwell
- •Feeling cold or chills
- •Swelling of hands, ankles, or feet
- •Restlessness or losing sense of time and place
- •Strong feeling of happiness or euphoria
- •Reduced skin sensitivity, especially on the skin
- •Memory loss
- •Blurred vision
- •Slow heartbeat or low blood pressure
- •Bluish skin due to lack of oxygen
- •Lack of bowel movements (intestinal blockage)
- •Itchy rash (eczema) or other skin problems where the patch is applied
- •Flu-like illness
- •Changes in body temperature
- •Fever
- •Muscle twitching
- •Difficulty getting or keeping an erection and sexual difficulties
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Constricted pupils (small pupils)
- •Temporary stopping of breathing (sleep apnea)
- •Lack of male hormones
- •Confusion, possibly with restlessness, fear, hallucinations, or sleep problems (delirium)
- •You may become addicted to this medicine
Important Warnings
- This medicine can be life-threatening if you are not already regularly taking opioid pain medicines. The patches, even used ones, are dangerous for children.
- Keep the patches in a safe place, out of reach of children and others.
- Only use the patch for the person it was prescribed for. If a patch accidentally sticks to someone else, remove it immediately and contact a doctor.
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to fentanyl, have short-term pain, or have severe breathing problems.
- Do not drink alcohol while using this medicine, as it can worsen its effects.
Show 3 more warnings
- Do not expose the patch to direct heat, such as heating pads, sunlight, or hot baths. Heat can increase the amount of medicine absorbed from the patch.
- Be careful if you take other medicines that make you sleepy, as this can cause dangerous breathing problems.
- Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel drowsy or dizzy while using this medicine.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category D
Avoid use in older adults. Sedative. Serotonergic. Intended for the treatment of cancer pain. Not suitable for initiating opioid medication. Low transdermal efficacy in cachectic patients. Increases the risk of confusion and falling. Need for laxative is often necessary. Consider potential significant interactions. (updated 24.3.2025)