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Drug Details

APO-GO

• Drug Class Description
  Dopamine agonists (dopaminergics) .
• Generic Name
  Apomorphine
• Presentation
  Solution for injection, apomorphine hydrochloride 1.0% w/ v (10mg/mL).
• Description
  Solution for injection in 2mL or 5mL ampoules.
• Indications
  

  Treatment of disabling motor fluctuations in patients with Parkinson's disease which persist after treatment with levodopa and/or other dopamine agonists.

• Adult Dosage
  

  For subcutaneous use by intermittent bolus injection. May also be administered as a continuous subcutaneous infusion by minipump. It is essential that the patient is established on domperidone, usually 20mg three times daily for at least two days prior to initiation of therapy.

• Child Dosage
  Under 18 years, contraindicated.
• Contra Indications
  

  Respiratory depression, dementia, hepatic insufficiency. hepatic insufficiency. Intermittent apomorphine treatment is not suitable for patients who have an 'on' response to levodopa which is marred by severe dyskinesia or dystonia. Known sensitivity to apomorphine or to any other ingredients of the product. Not recommended for use in women of child-bearing potential. Breastfeeding not recommended.

• Special Precautions
  

  Renal, pulmonary or cardiovascular disease. Persons prone to nausea and vomiting. Elderly and/or debilitated patients. Pre-existing cardiac disease, patients taking vasoactive drugs such as antihypertensives, pre-existing postural hypotension.

  Neuropsychiatric disturbance may be exacerbated by APO-go in some patients; there is also evidence from clinical studies that APO-go may improve these symtoms.

• Interactions
  Neuroleptics, antihypertensives, cardiac active drugs.
• Adverse Drug Reactions
  

  Nausea and vomiting. Postural hypotension. Local subcutaneous injection site reactions including local induration and nodules (usually asymptomatic). Dyskinesia, neuropsychiatric disturbances. Transient sedation. Rarely, Coomb's positive haemolytic anaemia in patients treated with apomorphine and levodopa. Eosinophilia.