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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Short answer
Mepitac is a medical-grade soft silicone fixation tape manufactured by Mölnlycke Health Care, designed for securing medical devices, tubing, and wound dressings on fragile or sensitive skin. Utilizing proprietary Safetac soft silicone adhesive technology, Mepitac adheres securely to dry skin without sticking to moist tissue or stripping epidermal layers upon removal, allowing atraumatic lifting and repositioning.
Definition and scope
Mepitac is an adhesive medical tape engineered for clinical settings where preserving skin barrier function is essential. Regulated under FDA 21 CFR § 880.5240 ("Medical adhesive tape and adhesive bandage"), Mepitac is a Class I medical device (general controls, 510(k) exempt) under product code KGX. Under GMDN code 58749 ("Dressing-fixation skin adhesive tape, silicone"), it is identified as a flexible band coated with soft silicone adhesive designed to attach objects or dressings to the body with minimized trauma and low allergenicity.
Supplied non-sterile for single-use application, Mepitac is indicated for securing intravenous cannulae, drainage tubes, enteral feeding lines, monitoring probes, and secondary dressings, as well as providing a protective interface under rigid tubing to prevent device-related pressure injuries. Because Mepitac is an occlusive fixation tape, it falls outside active drug-eluting categories and must be distinguished from primary absorbent or antimicrobial medical dressing categories used directly on exuding wounds.
How it works or how it is used in practice
The clinical performance of Mepitac relies on a three-layer composite architecture:
- Knitted fabric backing: Provides flexibility, allowing the tape to conform closely to body contours and joints without binding, and cuts cleanly to required lengths.
- Breathable polyurethane film: Forms a waterproof liquid barrier that protects dressings from external contaminants while permitting moisture vapor transmission for skin transpiration.
- Safetac soft silicone adhesive: Adheres gently to dry stratum corneum through micro-adherent contact points without flowing into crevices. It does not adhere to moist wound beds or strip epidermal cells, minimizing pain and trauma.
A key operational advantage is repositionability. Clinicians can lift Mepitac to inspect an infusion site or check skin condition, then reseal the tape without losing tack or using chemical removers. In practice, clinicians apply Mepitac to clean, dry skin without stretching, avoiding lateral shear forces that cause tension blistering.
Types or related concepts
Medical tapes differ substantially in adhesive chemistry, holding strength, and skin trauma profiles. A crucial clinical distinction exists between Mepitac and Mepitel Ag, both developed by Mölnlycke with Safetac technology. While Mepitac is a non-sterile solid fixation tape with a continuous fabric-and-film backing, Mepitel Ag is a sterile wound contact layer cleared under FDA 510(k) K130040 (product code FRO). Mepitel Ag features an open mesh net impregnated with silver sulfate, allowing exudate to pass into an absorbent outer dressing while providing antimicrobial activity for up to 8 days. Clinicians also use non-medicated Mepitel silicone wound contact layer dressings when silver is not indicated.
The table below summarizes the operational and regulatory differences across these materials:
| Product / Technology | Construction & Adhesive | FDA Classification | Primary Clinical Indication | Removal Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mepitac | Knitted fabric, polyurethane film, Safetac silicone | Class I exempt (21 CFR § 880.5240, KGX) | Fixation of tubes, probes, and dressings; skin protection under devices | Atraumatic; zero epidermal stripping; repositionable; no residue |
| Standard Acrylate Tape | Woven cloth or nonwoven with polyacrylate adhesive | Class I exempt (21 CFR § 880.5240, KGX) | High-tension device securement on robust adult skin | High peel force; risk of skin stripping and adhesive injury |
| Paper / Microporous Tape | Nonwoven cellulosic fibers with light acrylic adhesive | Class I exempt (21 CFR § 880.5240, KGX) | Light dressing retention and routine frequent changes | Gentle initial tack; tears when wet; limited joint conformability |
| Mepitel Ag | Open mesh net with Safetac silicone and silver sulfate | Class Unclassified, 510(k) K130040 (FRO) | Antimicrobial contact layer for exuding burns, graft sites, and tears | Non-adherent to moist wound bed; allows vertical fluid transfer |
For wounds requiring fluid management alongside silicone adhesion, facilities often step up to absorbent silicone foam dressings rather than adhesive tapes.
Where it matters for labs, clinics or supply decisions
Mepitac is utilized across healthcare settings where skin frailty presents clinical risks:
- Neonatal Intensive Care: Preterm infants possess an underdeveloped stratum corneum. Conventional adhesives bond tightly to infant skin, risking epidermal stripping. Soft silicone tape safely fixes nasal cannulae, feeding tubes, and sensors without detachment trauma.
- Geriatric Care: Aging skin exhibits dermal atrophy and reduced elasticity. Mepitac is deployed alongside silicone dressings for skin tears to avoid tear injuries during routine device fixation.
- Repetitive Taping: Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis or infusion require repeated tape placement on identical sites. Mepitac avoids cumulative epidermal exhaustion and contact dermatitis.
- Device Pressure Injury Prevention: Placed under respiratory masks, prongs, and tubes, Mepitac cushions skin contact zones and disperses shear stress, reducing pressure injury rates.
- Procurement Economics: While soft silicone tape carries a higher initial unit price than paper tape, facilities offset costs through reduced skin tear treatment, fewer wasted tapes from repositionability, and eliminated solvent wipes. For extended torso dressing retention without repeated skin adhesion, clinics also evaluate Montgomery straps for dressing retention.
Common misunderstandings
Understanding the operational boundaries of soft silicone tape ensures patient safety:
- Misunderstanding 1: Mepitac can secure critical life-support lines.
Fact: The manufacturer's instructions for use state that Mepitac is not intended for fixation of life-supporting devices (such as endotracheal tubes) or arterial catheters. Because soft silicone releases atraumatically under shear, it lacks the high tensile hold needed to prevent accidental extubation or decannulation. - Misunderstanding 2: Silicone tape maintains full adhesion in high humidity or diaphoresis.
Fact: Mölnlycke documentation cautions that Mepitac adhesion decreases in high-humidity microenvironments, such as humidified incubators, or on diaphoretic patients. Moisture directly at the skin-adhesive interface impairs silicone micro-adherence. - Misunderstanding 3: Mepitac functions as a primary dressing for exuding wounds.
Fact: Mepitac is an occlusive tape, not an absorbent or draining contact layer. Applying it over draining wounds traps exudate and causes skin maceration. Exuding wounds require porous contact layers or absorbent dressings. - Misunderstanding 4: Adhesive remover is required to detach Mepitac.
Fact: Safetac silicone leaves no chemical residue and releases cleanly without solvents. Applying chemical removers is unnecessary and can irritate delicate skin.
Frequently asked questions
What is Mepitac tape used for?
Mepitac is used to secure medical devices, tubing, IV cannulae, probes, and secondary dressings on patients with fragile or sensitive skin, and to protect intact skin under rigid tubing from pressure injuries.
How does Mepitac differ from Mepitel Ag?
Mepitac is a non-sterile solid fixation tape for securing devices to intact skin. Mepitel Ag is a sterile, porous, double-sided contact layer containing antimicrobial silver sulfate, designed to lie directly on exuding wounds to manage microbial contamination while draining fluid into a secondary pad.
Can Mepitac be lifted and repositioned?
Yes. Safetac soft silicone adhesive does not lose tack or damage tissue when lifted. Clinicians can inspect skin or reposition tubing and reapply the same piece of tape securely.
Is Mepitac waterproof and breathable?
Yes. Mepitac features a breathable polyurethane film that resists external liquids while allowing moisture vapor to escape, supporting skin integrity during multi-day wear.
Can Mepitac be used on endotracheal tubes or arterial lines?
No. Manufacturer instructions explicitly contraindicate Mepitac for life-supporting devices or arterial lines, as it does not provide the high tensile hold required to prevent accidental dislodgement.
Sources
- Mölnlycke Health Care AB. (2023). Mepitac® Soft Silicone Fixation Tape: Product Sheet and Directions for Use (Doc Ref: CEWC00972303). Read 2026-11-08. https://minervablob.blob.core.windows.net/celumdocuments/Mepitac_ProductSheet_ENG_203754_E.pdf
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). Unique Device Identifier (UDI) Database: Mepitac® 2 cm x 3 m (Model 298300). GUDID Record Key 9ac3f9ec-d27f-41ca-99c5-40730ccf4a0c; 21 CFR § 880.5240, Product Code KGX. Read 2026-11-08. https://api.fda.gov/device/udi.json?search=brand_name:mepitac
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026). 21 CFR § 880.5240: Medical adhesive tape and adhesive bandage. Title 21 – Food and Drugs, Chapter I, Subchapter H – Medical Devices, Part 880. Read 2026-11-08. https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/880.5240
- Mölnlycke Health Care AB. (2025). Mepitel® Ag Antimicrobial Wound Contact Layer: Product Sheet and Technical Overview (USMM 822046). Read 2026-11-08. https://static.molnlycke.com/pim/documents/celum/822046%20Mepitel%20Ag%20Product%20Sheet_204802.pdf
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2014). 510(k) Premarket Notification: Mepitel Ag (K130040). Product Code FRO (Dressing, Wound, Drug). Read 2026-11-08. https://api.fda.gov/device/510k.json?search=k_number:K130040
