Apomorphine for the treatment of refractory motor fluctuations in late stage Parkinson's disease : an old drug revisited

Abstract

Abstract: pomorphine is the oldest dopaminergic agent and was initially known for its emetic properties. Although Weill suggested using it to treat Parkinson’s disease (PD) in 1884, evidence about its antiparkinsonian efficacy was provided initially by Schwab and colleagues in 1951 and then by Cotzias and co-workers in 1970. Subcutaneous injection of the drug displayed potent but short-live antiparkinsonian effects usually at the expense of vomiting and postural hypotension. These limitations coupled with the advent of orally-active dopamine receptor agonists led to a waning in the interest in the drug...