Apomorphine Hydrochloride Injection

What is Apomorphine Hydrochloride Injection?
Apomorphine Hydrochloride Injection is a potent, fast-acting non-ergoline dopamine agonist. It is specifically used as a "rescue" medication for Parkinson’s patients experiencing sudden, debilitating "off" episodes—periods where other medications stop working and the patient becomes frozen or unable to move. Despite the name, it is not an opioid and does not have pain-relieving properties; its sole focus is restoring motor function rapidly.
Uses of Apomorphine Hydrochloride Injection
Acute "Off" Episodes: Rapid reversal of hypomobility or "freezing" in advanced Parkinson’s disease.
Motor Fluctuations: Management of unpredictable "on-off" cycles not fully controlled by Levodopa.
Refractory Parkinson’s: Used when patients are no longer responding adequately to oral dopamine agonists.
Rescue Therapy: Provides a bridge of mobility for patients until their next dose of oral medication takes effect.
Intermittent Motor Control: Treatment of end-of-dose "wearing off" symptoms.
How Does Apomorphine Hydrochloride Injection Work?
Apomorphine works by directly stimulating D2-like dopamine receptors in the brain, particularly in the striatum. In Parkinson’s disease, the loss of dopamine-producing neurons leads to motor failure. By mimicking the action of natural dopamine, Apomorphine bypasses the damaged neurons and directly activates the pathways responsible for movement. Because it is injected subcutaneously, it enters the bloodstream quickly, often restoring movement within 10 to 20 minutes.
FAQs on Apomorphine Hydrochloride Injection
1. Is Apomorphine the same as morphine? No. While the names are similar, Apomorphine is not an opioid and does not have the addictive or pain-killing properties of morphine. It is a dopamine agonist used exclusively for neurological movement disorders.
2. Why is an anti-nausea medication usually prescribed with it? Apomorphine is known to cause significant nausea and vomiting as it stimulates the brain's vomiting center. Doctors typically prescribe a non-dopamine-antagonist antiemetic (like Trimethobenzamide) starting a few days before the first dose to manage these symptoms.
3. How is the injection administered? It is administered via subcutaneous injection (under the skin), usually in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It is designed for "as-needed" use during an "off" episode rather than on a fixed daily schedule.
Therapeutic Category
CNS & Neurology
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