Sublingual apomorphine in treatment of Parkinson's disease: a review

A majority of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) patients on oral levodopa experience motor fluctuations, including sudden OFF and delayed ON periods. Fast-acting rescue medications are a vital part of the clinician's armamentarium in the treatment of motor fluctuations. Sublingual apomorphine is the first sublingual rescue medication on the market for the treatment of OFF times in PD.Materials and Methods: Here, we review the development and pharmacology of apomorphine in the treatment of PD as well as the safety and efficacy of sublingual apomorphine established in clinical trials. Finally, we compare sublingual apomorphine to the other rescue medications available and provide our opinion on the use of sublingual apomorphine in clinical practice.Results: Clinical trials have demonstrated that sublingual apomorphine is a safe and effective option in the treatment of motor fluctuations in PD. In a Phase II trial, 100% of patients who achieved a full ON response did so within 30 min and 40% did so within 15 min. The mean duration of effect was 50 min. In a Phase III trial, 77.3% of patients achieved a full ON response. Side effects such as nausea, dizziness and somnolence were common but were generally mild. No patients experienced worsening dyskinesia.Conclusions: Sublingual apomorphine will provide patients with motor fluctuations due to advanced PD another safe and effective option for the treatment of OFF times.