Apomorphine
Brand: Apokyn (US) / Apo-Go (EU/IN/BD)
Neurological
Dopamine agonist (non-ergot, rescue injection)
Pharmacokinetics
| Half-life | 0.6 hours |
| Tmax | 0.5 h |
| Bioavailability | 4 % (approx) |
| Protein Binding | 90 % |
| Volume of Distribution | 2.5 L/kg (approx) |
| Clearance Route | hepatic |
| Active Metabolites | yes |
| Notes | Extensive first-pass metabolism; bioavailability very low orally (~4%), thus given subcutaneously; onset within 10 minutes. |
⚠️ Safety & Warnings
Severity: Moderate
Adverse Effects:
Nausea, vomiting, hypotension, yawning, somnolence, injection-site nodules
Contraindications:
Use with 5HT3 antagonists (e.g., ondansetron) contraindicated due to severe hypotension
Precautions:
Pretreat with antiemetic (domperidone); monitor BP; avoid abrupt discontinuation