[Practical use of continuous apomorphine infusion via pump]

Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative illness after Alzheimer's disease. In its advanced stages, it is characterized by various special symptoms. In addition to non-motor signs, motor complications are most prominent and most often can only be inadequately improved with pulsatile oral therapies. However, with the aid of continuous dopaminergic stimulation, improvements can be achieved even in advanced stages of the disease. This will not only alleviate motor and non-motor symptoms, but will also lead to a better quality of life. In this context, continuous subcutaneous apomorphine administration by means of a pump has been well established. Its benefits, indications, limitations and practical implementation will be thoroughly described in the expert recommendation. Particularly noteworthy is the rather broad therapeutic window of apomorphine pump treatment, which can be optimally utilized by simple drug titration in a rapidly reversible process. This article presents the results of an expert meeting on apomorphine therapy which took place on July 6, 2016, in Frankfurt (M), Germany.