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Apomorphine

Generic name: apomorphine
Brand names: Apokyn, Kynmobi
Dosage form: subcutaneous injection, sublingual film
Drug class: Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Apr 4, 2023.

What is apomorphine?

Apomorphine belongs to a class of drugs called dopamine agonists. It is used to treat a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement called Parkinson's disease.

Dopamine agonist, such as apomorphine, are medications that mimic the action of dopamine. Dopamine is produced by the brain and acts as a messenger or neurotransmitter sending information between nerve cells (neurons).

Apomorphine works to help treat Parkinson's disease by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain and acting like natural dopamine. Low levels of dopamine are thought to cause the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Apomorphine comes in the form of a:

Apomorphine was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004.

What is apomorphine used for?

Apomorphine injection is a prescription medicine used to treat acute, intermittent episodes of poor mobility called " off " episodes (end-of-dose wearing "off" or unpredictable "on - off" episodes) in people with advanced Parkinson's disease.

Apomorphine sublingual film is a prescription medicine used to treat short-term (acute), intermittent “off” episodes in people with Parkinson's disease.

It is not known if apomorphine is safe and effective in children.

Who should not use apomorphine?

Do not take apomorphine if you are:

What should I tell my doctor before using apomorphine?

Before you start using apomorphine, tell your healthcare provider if you:

How should I use apomorphine?

What happens if I overdose?

If you take too much apomorphine injection, call your healthcare provider. If you experience severe or serious side effects such as chest pain or prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

What should I avoid while using apomorphine?

Dosing information

Apomorphine injection

Apomorphine sublingual film

What are the side effects of apomorphine?

Side effects of apomorphine injection

Apomorphine injection may cause serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the serious side effects, including:

Other common side effects of apomorphine injection include:

Side effects of apomorphine sublingual film

Apomorphine sublingual film can cause serious side effects, including:

These signs and symptoms may go away if apomorphine sublingual film treatment is stopped.

Do not stop taking apomorphine sublingual film or change your dose unless you are told to do so by your healthcare provider.

If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking apomorphine sublingual film and call your healthcare provider right away before taking another dose.

The most common side effects of apomorphine sublingual film include:

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of apomorphine. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may also report side effects to MDD US Operations, LLC at 1-877-727-6596.

Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Using apomorphine with certain other medicines may affect each other. Using apomorphine with other medicines can cause serious side effects.

If you take nitroglycerin under your tongue while using apomorphine, your blood pressure may decrease and cause dizziness. After taking nitroglycerin, you should lie down and try to continue lying down for at least 45 minutes. You should avoid standing for 45 minutes after taking nitroglycerin.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if apomorphine will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if apomorphine passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take apomorphine or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Storage

Keep apomorphine and all medicines out of the reach of children.

What are the ingredients in apomorphine?

Active ingredient: apomorphine hydrochloride, USP

Inactive ingredients:

Apomorphine injection (Apokyn): sodium metabisulfite, NF, benzyl alcohol, NF, water for injection, USP. It may also contain sodium hydroxide, NF and/or hydrochloric acid, NF.

Apomorphine sublingual film (Kynmobi): disodium EDTA dihydrate, FD&C Blue #1, glycerol, glyceryl monostearate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, maltodextrin, (-)-menthol, pyridoxine hydrochloride, sodium hydroxide, sodium metabisulfite, sucralose, and white ink.

Apomorphine injection is distributed under the brand name Apokyn by MDD US Operations, LLC, Rockville, MD 20850. TruPharmac, LLC also produces a generic version of apomorphine injection

Apomorphine sublingual film is manufactured under the brand name Kynmobi for Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Marlborough, Massachusetts 01752 USA.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.