Abstract
We wanted to determine the absorption and clinical effect of sublingual (SL) and transdermal apomorphine in parkinsonism. Patients received single SL apomorphine doses (N = 7) and the absorption was compared with parenteral (N = 5) and oral (N = 4) doses. One patient received a transdermal dose of apomorphine. The relative bioavalability of SL apomorphine ranged from 10 to 22% of a parenteral apomorphine dose. Oral apomorphine was less than 4% bioavailable, and the transdermal dose did not produce detectable plasma levels. Three patients with motor fluctuations responded to SL apomorphine, with a latency to effect of 20‐40 min and a duration of effect of 15‐100 min. One patient used SL apomorphine as an adjunct with levodopa, and during 1 month reported a large decrease in “off” periods. We conclude that apomorphine is effectively absorbed by the sublingual route.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 212-216 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Movement Disorders |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1991 |
Keywords
- Apomorphine
- Bioavailability
- Parkinsonism
- Sublingual
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology