Abstract
Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous apomorphine hydrochloride administration for off-state (poor motor function) periods in patients with Parkinson disease with motor fluctuations under both inpatient titration and outpatient therapeutic conditions. Patients and Methods: Twenty-nine patients had advanced Parkinson disease with 2 hours or more off time despite aggressive oral therapy. Patients randomly received titrated doses of subcutaneous apomorphine hydrochloride (2-10 mg, n = 20) or pH-matched vehicle placebo (n = 9) during an inpatient and 1-month outpatient phase. A change in the United Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor score 20 minutes after inpatient dosing during a practically defined off-state event and the percentage of injections successfully aborting off-state events were the primary inpatient and outpatient efficacy factors. Results: The average (SEM) levodopa equivalent dose of apomorphine hydrochloride was 5.4 ± 0.5 mg and the mean placebo dose was 1.0 mL. Mean inpatient United Parkinson Disease Rating Scale motor scores were reduced by 23.9 and 0.1 points (62% and 1%) by apomorphine treatment and placebo, respectively (P<.001). The mean percentage of outpatient injections resulting in successful abortion of off-state events was 95% for apomorphine and 23% for placebo (P<.001). Inpatient response was significantly correlated with and predictive of outpatient efficacy (P<.001). The levodopa dose was not predictive of the apomorphine dose requirement. Frequent adverse events included dyskinesia, yawning, and injection site reactions. Conclusion: Apomorphine by intermittent subcutaneous injection is effective and safe for outpatient use to reverse off-state events that occur despite optimized oral therapy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1385-1392 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Archives of neurology |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
- Clinical Neurology