What it is used for
- Treating motor off periods in Parkinson's disease when oral medicines are insufficient
- Reducing severe motor fluctuations with subcutaneous infusion in selected patients
- Rapidly relieving stiffness and slow movement within a neurologist's plan
How it is used
- Treatment starts in a specialist clinic to establish response and monitor blood pressure, heart rhythm and nausea
- Use the injection pen or pump cartridge under the skin after training and never inject it into a vein
- Rotate sites, avoid lumps or inflamed skin, inspect the solution and never use it if it has turned green
- Never change pump settings or other Parkinson's medicines yourself
- Attend requested ECG, blood tests and reviews of behaviour and sleepiness
Possible side effects
- Lumps, pain or redness at injection sites
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or low blood pressure on standing
- Sudden sleepiness, hallucinations or confusion
- Involuntary movements
Who should not use it
- Respiratory depression, dementia, psychosis or severe liver impairment
- Severe involuntary movement or dystonia during a good levodopa response
- Use of ondansetron or a related antagonist prohibited by the label
- Allergy to apomorphine, sulfites or any ingredient
Before and while using it
- Fainting, palpitations or chest pain can indicate severe hypotension or a rhythm problem and needs urgent assessment
- Sudden sleep can occur without warning; do not drive if sleepiness develops
- Compulsive gambling, buying, eating or increased sexual drive must be reported to the team
- Compulsive medicine overuse can occur and requires patient and carer monitoring
- Pallor, jaundice or bruising can indicate haemolysis or low platelets and needs a blood test
- Injection-site ulceration, necrosis or a painful lump needs review of technique
Medicine interactions
- Ondansetron and selected related anti-sickness medicines can cause severe hypotension and loss of consciousness and are contraindicated
- Domperidone and medicines prolonging cardiac repolarisation require ECG and interaction review
- Blood-pressure medicines increase dizziness and hypotension
- Antipsychotics oppose its effect and either condition can worsen
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- It is used in pregnancy only for a clear need under specialist care because information is limited
- It is unknown whether it enters milk, and the team decides whether breastfeeding or treatment continues
How to store it
- Store cartridges or vials as directed and protected from light; never use green or cloudy solution, and discard the device after its stated in-use period
Get medical help straight away if
- Your face, lips or tongue swell, or you find it hard to breathe.
- You get a severe rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- A side effect worries you or doesn’t go away: contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about this medicine?
Talk to a doctor by video, or send your question by text.
Source: Standard international medicine references
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.