Apomorphine

Apomorphine is a prescription medication used in the treatment of acute episodes of reduced mobility, also known as 'off periods', that can occur in advanced Parkinson's disease. Apomorphine belongs to a group of drugs called non-ergoline dopamine agonists. These work to treat episodes of reduced mobility through a mechanism which is not yet fully understood, but involves improving motor function through the effects of dopamine.

Apomorphine is available as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection given at the onset of an "off period." 

Common side effects of apomorphine are nausea, yawning, and runny nose. Apomorphine can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how apomorphine affects you.

Apomorphine is a prescription medication used to treat acute episodes of reduced mobility, also known as 'off periods', that can occur in advanced Parkinson's disease. These "Off" episodes are characterized by difficulty or inability to move or speak which usually occur as other Parkinson's medications wear off.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Receive this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your weight
• your age

The recommended dose range of Apokyn (apomorphine) for the treatment of acute episodes of reduced mobility associated with advanced Parkinson's disease is 2 mg to 6 mg injected subcutaneously at the onset of an 'off period'.

Serious side effects have been reported with apomorphine including the following:

• Severe allergic reactions. Severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions are possible with apomorphine. Discontinue use and get emergency medical attention immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:
  • sudden difficulty breathing
  • sudden and abnormal swelling of the lips, tongue, and/or throat
  • sudden development of a red blister-like skin rash
  • sudden drop in blood pressure
• Blood Clots. Injecting apomorphine into a vein (intravenous) can cause blood clots. Do not inject apomorphine in your vein.
• Nausea and vomiting. Severe nausea and vomiting can happen with apomorphine. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a medicine called trimethobenzamide (Tigan) to help prevent nausea and vomiting. Some patients can stop taking Tigan after using apomorphine for several months. Some patients may need to keep taking Tigan to help prevent nausea and vomiting. Talk to your healthcare provider before you stop taking Tigan.
• Excessive drowsiness during the day. There have been reports of severe episodes of sudden drowsiness in a small number of patients using apomorphine. Your physician will assess your risk for this rare side effect, but it is very important that you notify your physician of any sleeping disorders you have.
• Dizziness. Apomorphine can lower your blood pressure and cause dizziness. Dizziness can happen when apomorphine treatment is started or when the apomorphine dose is increased. Do not get up too fast from sitting or after lying down, especially if you have been sitting or lying down for a long period of time.
• Falls. Patients with Parkinson's disease are already at risk of falling due to the nature of the disease. Clinical researchers were unable to determine whether falls that occurred in clinical trials of apomorphine were related to use of apomorphine or only due to underlying Parkinson's disease. Consult with your physician about your risk for falls during treatment with apomorphine.
• Hallucinations and psychotic behavior. Hallucinations and psychotic behavior were reported in a small number of patients during clinical trials with apomorphine. Risk may increase with underlying mental illness. Consult with your physician about your level of risk for developing hallucinations or psychotic behavior during your treatment with apomorphine.
• Sudden uncontrolled movements (dyskinesias). Some people with PD may get sudden, uncontrolled movements after treatment with some PD medicines. This medication can cause or make dyskinesias worse.
• Intense urges. Some people with PD have reported new or increased gambling urges, increased sexual urges, and other intense urges, while taking PD medicines, including apomorphine.
• Fainting. In clinical trials, about 2% of patients receiving apomorphine experienced fainting. Consult with your physician about your risk for developing fainting episodes while taking apomorphine.
• Abnormal heart rhythms. Abnormal heart rhythms have been reported in patients receiving apomorphine, especially those already at high risk for developing abnormal heart rhythms. Consult with your physician about your level of risk for developing abnormal heart rhythms during treatment with apomorphine.
• Low blood pressure. Low blood pressure has been known to occur in patients taking medications similar to apomorphine in combination with medications used to treat high blood pressure. Be sure to report all of your medications to your physician prior to beginning treatment with apomorphine.
• Heart problems. Tell your doctor immediately or seek medical attention If you have shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, or chest pain while taking this medication. 
• Injection site reactions. During clinical trials, 26% of patients using apomorphine experienced injection site reactions that included bruising, itching, and other complications. Inform your physician if you have experienced injection site reactions with other medications in the past.
• Fever and confusion. This can happen in some people when their PD medicine is stopped or there is a fast decrease in the dose of their PD medicine.
• Skin cancer (melanoma). Some people with PD may have an increased chance of getting a skin cancer called melanoma. People with PD should have a healthcare provider check their skin for skin cancer regularly.
• Tissue changes. Some people have had changes in the tissues of their pelvis, lungs, and heart valves when taking medicines called nonergot derived dopamine agonists like apomorphine. 
• Drug abuse. Although rare, apomorphine is occasionally abused leading to hallucinations, reduced mobility, and occasional psychotic behavior. Consult with your physician if you have a history of drug abuse prior to beginning treatment with apomorphine.
• Reduced mobility. Although rare, reduced mobility was reported in a small number of patients using apomorphine during clinical trials shortly after receiving apomorphine. Consult with your physician if you believe you are experiencing reduced mobility after administration of apomorphine.
• Priapism. Although rare, painful erections lasting longer than four hours were reported in a small number of male patients during clinical trials of apomorphine. Get medical attention immediately if you experience an erection lasting longer than four hours.

Do not take apomorphine if you

• are allergic to apomorphine, sulfites, or to any of its ingredients
• take 5HT3 antagonists, including antiemetics (e.g., ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron, palonosetron) and alosetron

This medication can also cause dizziness and/or drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how apomorphine affects you.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using apomorphine. It can increase your chance of developing serious side effects.

Do not take medicines that make you sleepy while you are using apomorphine.

Do not change your body position too fast. Get up slowly from sitting or lying. Apomorphine can lower your blood pressure and cause dizziness or fainting.

Serious side effects have been reported with apomorphine. See the “Apomorphine Precautions” section.

Common side effects of apomorphine include:

• yawning
• drowsiness
• nausea
• runny nose
• chest pain
• hallucinations
• swelling of hands, arms, legs, and feet
• confusion
• insomnia
• headache
• anxiety
• diarrhea

This is not a complete list of apomorphine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• 5HT3 antagonists including antiemetics such as dolasetron, granisetron, palonosetron, and ondansetron
• dopamine antagonists including neuroleptics such as ziprasidone
• dopamine antagonists such as metoclopramide
• any medications that are predominantly eliminated from your body by your liver. Consult with your pharmacist to help identify any of these medications that you might be taking.
• any medications used in the treatment of high blood pressure
• medications that prolong the QT/QTc Interval

 This is not a complete list of apomorphine drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Apomorphine falls into category C. Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Apomorphine should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if apomorphine crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using apomorphine.