Apomorphine

Apomorphine is a dopamine-receptor agonist medication used to relieve Parkinson’s disease symptoms, especially sudden “off” episodes. It was also used historically to induce vomiting.

Dopamine receptor: A cell-surface receptor that responds to dopamine and helps regulate movement, motivation, and other functions. Apomorphine stimulates dopamine receptors to compensate for impaired signaling in Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson's disease: A progressive neurological disorder marked by loss of dopamine-producing neurons and impaired movement. Apomorphine treats motor symptoms caused by reduced dopamine signaling in this disease.
Continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion: A pump-based delivery method that supplies apomorphine continuously beneath the skin for advanced Parkinson’s disease. It contrasts with intermittent injections or films by providing sustained dopaminergic stimulation.
Matthiesen and Wright: British chemists who reported the preparation of apomorphine from morphine in the nineteenth century. Their work established the compound later adopted for emesis and Parkinson’s treatment.
Subcutaneous injection: A method of delivering medication into the tissue layer beneath the skin. Injection allows apomorphine to act quickly during sudden Parkinsonian off episodes.
Parkinson's disease off period: A time when Parkinson’s symptoms return or worsen as medication benefit fades or becomes unreliable. Rapid-acting apomorphine can shorten these sudden periods of poor motor control.
Deep brain stimulation: A surgical treatment that uses implanted electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation to selected brain regions. It can address advanced Parkinson’s motor fluctuations without relying on apomorphine doses.
Morphine: A naturally occurring opioid alkaloid used as a potent analgesic. Apomorphine was chemically derived from morphine, although it does not act as an opioid analgesic.
Sublingual film: A dissolving medication film placed under the tongue for absorption through the oral mucosa. This formulation provides a needle-free way to treat Parkinson’s off episodes.
Levodopa: A medication converted in the brain into dopamine to relieve Parkinson’s motor symptoms. Unlike levodopa, apomorphine directly stimulates dopamine receptors and can act as intermittent rescue therapy.

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