Matrifen
Matrifen patches are used to relieve very strong and long-lasting pain.
Form
depotlaastari
Strength
100 mikrog/tunti
Active Ingredient
Fentanyl
Manufacturer
Istituto Gentili S.r.l.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide the right patch strength for you. Change the patch every three days.
Method
Apply the patch to a flat area on your upper body or arm, avoiding joints. For children, always apply to the upper back. Make sure your skin is clean, dry, and cool before applying.
Important
One patch provides medicine for 3 days (72 hours). Change it every three days.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nausea, vomiting, constipation
- •Drowsiness
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
- •Allergic reaction
- •Loss of appetite
- •Sleep problems
- •Depression
- •Anxiety, confusion
- •Seeing, feeling, hearing, or smelling things that are not real (hallucinations)
- •Muscle tremors or spasms
- •Unusual skin sensations, such as tingling or prickling
- •Feeling light-headed
- •Fast or irregular heartbeat
- •High blood pressure
- •Shortness of breath
- •Diarrhea
- •Dry mouth
- •Stomach pain or digestive problems
- •Excessive sweating
- •Itching, rash, or skin redness
- •Difficulty urinating or emptying the bladder completely
- •Strong feeling of tiredness, weakness, or general discomfort
- •Chills
- •Swelling of hands, ankles, or feet
RARE
- •Agitation or feeling disoriented
- •Strong feeling of happiness (euphoria)
- •Reduced skin sensation
- •Memory loss
- •Blurred vision
- •Slow heart rate or low blood pressure
- •Bluish skin due to low oxygen levels (cyanosis)
- •Lack of bowel movements (ileus)
- •Itchy rash (eczema), allergic reaction, or other skin problem at the patch site
- •Flu-like illness
- •Changes in body temperature
- •Fever
- •Muscle twitching
- •Difficulty getting or keeping an erection (impotence) and sexual problems
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Pinpoint pupils (miosis)
- •Temporary pauses in breathing (apnea)
Important Warnings
- This medication can be very dangerous for people who do not regularly use strong opioid pain medicines prescribed by a doctor.
- Both new and used patches can be deadly for children if they stick to their skin or are put in their mouth. Keep all patches safely out of reach of children.
- 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.
- Apply the patch only to the person it was prescribed for. If a patch accidentally sticks to someone else (especially a child), remove it immediately and seek medical help, as it can cause serious breathing problems and death.
Show 9 more warnings
- Matrifen can cause unusual drowsiness and slow, shallow breathing. These breathing problems can be life-threatening, especially if you have not used strong opioid pain medicines before.
- If you get a fever while using Matrifen, tell your doctor, as it can increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin.
- Do not expose the patch to direct heat, such as heating pads, hot water bottles, electric blankets, saunas, or hot tubs, as this can increase the amount of medicine you absorb.
- Do not drink alcohol while using Matrifen, as it can worsen drowsiness and slow breathing.
- Do not use Matrifen during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed for three days after removing the patch.
- Matrifen can make you drowsy or dizzy, affecting your ability to drive or use machines. Do not drive or use machines if you experience these effects.
- Do not use a patch that is cut, damaged, or divided. Never cut or divide a patch.
- Do not apply the patch repeatedly to the same spot, on skin that moves a lot (joints), irritated or broken skin, or very hairy skin.
- Using Matrifen with medicines that calm the central nervous system, including alcohol and certain narcotics, increases the risk of drowsiness, breathing difficulties, and coma, which can be life-threatening.
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)