Matrifen
These patches help relieve very strong and long-lasting pain.
Form
depotlaastari
Strength
50 mikrog/tunti
Active Ingredient
Fentanyl
Manufacturer
Istituto Gentili S.r.l.
How to Use
Dosage
Apply one patch, which releases medicine for 3 days (72 hours).
Method
Change the patch every three days at the same time of day. Always remove the old patch before applying a new one. Place the patch on a flat part of your upper body or arm, avoiding joints.
Important
Do not use more than one patch at a time, changing it every 3 days as directed by your doctor.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nausea, vomiting, constipation
- •Drowsiness
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
- •Allergic reaction
- •Loss of appetite
- •Difficulty sleeping
- •Depression
- •Anxiety, confusion
- •Seeing, feeling, hearing, or smelling things that aren't there (hallucinations)
- •Muscle tremors or spasms
- •Unusual skin sensations, like tingling or prickling
- •Feeling light-headed
- •Fast or irregular heartbeat
- •High blood pressure
- •Shortness of breath
- •Diarrhea
- •Dry mouth
- •Abdominal pain or digestive issues
- •Excessive sweating
- •Itching, rash, or skin redness
- •Difficulty urinating or emptying the bladder completely
- •Severe tiredness, weakness, or general feeling of unwellness
- •Chills
- •Swelling of hands, ankles, or feet
RARE
- •Agitation or feeling disoriented (not knowing where or when you are)
- •Strong feeling of happiness (euphoria)
- •Reduced sensitivity to touch, especially on the skin
- •Memory loss
- •Blurred vision
- •Slow heartbeat or low blood pressure
- •Bluish skin due to low oxygen levels in the blood (cyanosis)
- •Lack of bowel movements (ileus)
- •Itchy rash (eczema), allergic reaction, or other skin problems at the patch site
- •Flu-like illness
- •Changes in body temperature
- •Fever
- •Muscle twitching
- •Difficulty getting or keeping an erection (impotence) and problems with sexual intercourse
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Small pupils (miosis)
- •Temporary pauses in breathing (apnea)
Important Warnings
- Matrifen can cause life-threatening problems for people who don't already take opioid pain medicines regularly.
- Matrifen patches, even used ones, can be life-threatening for children. Keep all patches away from children, as a patch sticking to a child's skin or being put in their mouth can be deadly.
- Store this medicine in a safe place where others, especially children, cannot reach it.
- Only apply the patch to the skin of the person it was prescribed for. If a patch accidentally sticks to someone else, especially a child, remove it immediately and contact a doctor.
- Do not use Matrifen if you are allergic to fentanyl or any other ingredient in this medicine.
Show 6 more warnings
- Do not use if you have short-term pain, like sudden pain or pain after surgery.
- Do not use if you have severe breathing problems, such as slow or shallow breathing.
- Do not drink alcohol while using Matrifen, as it can worsen drowsiness and slow breathing. Talk to your doctor first if you plan to drink.
- Do not use Matrifen during pregnancy or childbirth without talking to your doctor, as it can harm the baby's breathing or cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns if used long-term.
- Do not use Matrifen if you are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed for three days after removing the patch, as the medicine can pass into breast milk.
- Avoid exposing the patch to direct heat (like heat pads, hot water bottles, sunbathing, saunas, hot baths, or hot tubs), as this can increase the amount of medicine absorbed.
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)