Premium
Absorption of apomorphine by various routes in parkinsonism
Author(s) -
Gancher Stephen T.,
Nutt John G.,
Woodward William R.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.870060304
Subject(s) - apomorphine , parkinsonism , medicine , neuroscience , psychology , dopaminergic , dopamine , disease
We wanted to determine the absorption and clinical effect of sublingual (SL) and transdermal apomorphine in parkinsonism. Patients received single SL apomorphine doses (N = 7) and the absorption was compared with parenteral (N = 5) and oral (N = 4) doses. One patient received a transdermal dose of apomorphine. The relative bioavalability of SL apomorphine ranged from 10 to 22% of a parenteral apomorphine dose. Oral apomorphine was less than 4% bioavailable, and the transdermal dose did not produce detectable plasma levels. Three patients with motor fluctuations responded to SL apomorphine, with a latency to effect of 20‐40 min and a duration of effect of 15‐100 min. One patient used SL apomorphine as an adjunct with levodopa, and during 1 month reported a large decrease in “off” periods. We conclude that apomorphine is effectively absorbed by the sublingual route.