APOMORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Apomorphine hydrochloride,(6aR)-6-methyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolone-10,11-diol hydrochloride (Apokyn), is awhite or off-white powder or crystal soluble in hot water(pKa＝8.92). Apormorphine is an aporphine alkaloid of thebenzoquinoline class. Oral apomorphine is poorly absorbedand has a bioavailability of less than 4%. Upon subcutaneousadministration, apomorphine is completely absorbed. Within10 to 20 minutes, the maximum concentration of the drug isdistributed from the blood plasma to the CSF. Other potentialroutes of administration include continuous subcutaneous infusion,intravenous infusion, intranasal spray application,sublingual, and rectal administration.23 The agent is highlylipophilic in nature, allowing for rapid diffusion across theBBB after injection. Apomorphine has a short plasma halflife;however, clinical effects may last from 60 to 90 minutes.Apomorphine displays a significant degree of interpatientvariability in its pharmacokinetic profile. Studies of bothintravenous and subcutaneous injection routes found this variation was not attributable to body weight, age, gender,and duration of PD or L-DOPA dose/duration alone.Apomorphine is extensively metabolized. Hypothesizedroutes include sulfation, N-demethylation, glucuronidation,and oxidation. Subcutaneous injections of apomorphine arerenally and hepatically cleared, with the majority appearingto be renally cleared. Dosage adjustments are needed in bothliver and renal impairment. The activity of apomorphine isbelieved to be caused by stimulation of postsynaptic D1- andD2-type receptors within the caudate/putamen in the brain.Apomorphine is indicated for the acute, intermittent treatmentof hypomobility, “off” episodes (“end-of-dose wearingoff” and unpredictable on/off episodes) associated with advancedPD.

Poison by intravenous andintraperitoneal routes. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition itemits very toxic fumes of NOx and HCl.

Emetic.

(R)-(-)-Apomorphine Hydrochloride is a prototypical dopamine agonist. Potential treatment for Parkinson’s disease.