Intermittent subcutaneous apomorphine injection treatment for parkinsonian motor oscillations

Eight patients with severe Parkinsonian motor oscillations have been treated with the dopamine receptor agonist apomorphine by intermittent subcutaneous self-injection as an adjunct to oral anti-Parkinsonian medication. The dopamine receptor antagonist domperidone was also given by mouth to prevent nausea. Six patients remain on chronic treatment (mean period 6.5 months) with improved control of motor function in each case. Four have had major enhancement of their quality of life. Benefits of this treatment stem from the training of patients to use intelligent behaviour to administer a promptly acting and effective pharmacological agent, thereby exercising a degree of direct control over previously unpredictable variations in motor performance.