Monograph Details
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Central Nervous System
> Parkinsonism
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APOKYN |
| Manufacturer |
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Vernalis Pharmaceuticals Inc |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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Dopamine agonist (non-ergot). |
| Generic Name |
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Apomorphine HCl 10mg/mL; soln for SC inj; contains sulfites; cartridges also contain benzyl alcohol. |
| Indications |
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Acute, intermittent treatment of hypomobility, "off" episodes (end-of-dose wearing off and unpredictable on/off episodes) in advanced Parkinson's disease. |
| Children |
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Not applicable. |
| Adults |
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See literature. Prescribe by specifying volume, not mg. Give by SC inj only. Supervise 1st dose (monitor BP); prescribe for outpatient use at a dose at least 0.1mL less than tolerated test dose; usual range 0.3mL to 0.6mL; max 0.6mL/episode and one dose/episode; usual max 5 doses/day (2mL/day). Restart at 0.2mL/dose and re-titrate if therapy interrupted for >1 week. Mild-moderate renal dysfunction: reduce test and start doses to 0.1mL. |
| Contraindications |
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Concomitant 5HT3 receptor antagonists (eg, alosetron, dolasetron, granisetron, ondansetron, palonosetron). |
| Precautions |
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Pretreat with trimethobenzamide (see literature). Sleep disorders (discontinue if significant daytime sleepiness occurs). Cardio- or cerebrovascular disease. Hepatic or renal impairment. Proarrhythmic conditions (eg, hypokalemia, congenital QT prolongation). Monitor BP. Reevaluate if coronary or cerebral ischemia occurs. Asthma. Pregnancy (Cat.C). Nursing mothers: not recommended. |
| Interactions |
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See Contraindications. Hypotension potentiated with alcohol, antihypertensives, vasodilators (esp. nitrates). Sedation potentiated by CNS depressants. Antagonized by dopamine antagonists (eg, antipsychotics, metoclopramide). Caution with others that cause QT prolongation. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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Yawning, dyskinesias, GI upset (may be severe), somnolence, dizziness, rhinorrhea, hallucinations, edema, chest pain, flushing, pallor, inj site reactions, falling, arthralgia, insomnia, headache, depression, anxiety, pain, CHF, pneumonia, dyspnea, fatigue, ecchymosis, dehydration, orthostatic hypotension, syncope, priapism, QTc prolongation, psychosexual stimulation. |
| How Supplied |
Amps (2mL)—5
Cartridges (w. injector pen) (3mL)—5 |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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