Apomorphine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease

Abstract

The majority of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) develop motor fluctuations and dyskinesias as their condition progresses. In patients where adjustments of oral (or transdermal) treatment options can no longer adequately control these motor complications, further options include deep-brain stimulation for a minority of selected patients, intrajejunal levodopa (L-dopa) application via a pump or apomorphine infusion therapy. The dopamine agonist apomorphine provides relief from off periods when administered as a subcutaneous injection. When applied continuously via a portable pump system, oral medication can often be reduced considerably and dyskinesias improve in many patients. © 2012 Touch Group PLC.