Apomorphine Therapy

Apomorphine is derived from Morphine (Apo means “from”). It is produced by combining Morphine with acids like Hydrochloric acid at high temperatures. By this process, Morphine loses all its properties and a complete new chemical is formed. The chemical name of apomorphine is (C17H17NO2) and is significantly similar to Dopamine.

Apomorphine was discovered in 1845. Since then it has been used in various medical conditions like :

i. Vomit inducing agent in poisoning patients,

ii. Sleep inducing agent,

iii. Anesthesia,

iv. De-addiction purposes

v. Respiratory distress disorders

vi. Sexual dysfunction

vii. Movement Disorders (Parkinson’sDisease)

In Parkinson’s disease patients, there is reduction of the brain chemical – Dopamine. Apomorphine increases the levels of dopamine and hence improvement in Parkinson’s symptoms.

The first use of Apomorphine for Parkinson’s disease is around 1935. Since then it has been used in various studies. Its utilization was not prominent in early years due to nausea/ vomiting issues. With introduction of domperidone to reduce the side effects of Apomorphine, in 1970’s apomorphine utilization has dramatically increased and since last 20 years it is one of the options for advanced therapies for Parkinson’s Disease along with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery and Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal gel (LCIG).

Apomorphine is primarily marketed in the form of Injections. However, tablet formulations are also available. There are research studies going on for newer delivery methods with better patient adaptation

We all know that as Parkinson’s disease progress, the duration of benefits of oral levodopa tablets start reducing and people will also start to have erratic responses. Sometimes the oral medications does not work or take too long to work as they are not absorbed properly in our gut (Stomach, duodenum). This is due the changes happening in our gut due to progression of Parkinson’s disease. Apomorphine, which is taken in injection formulation, bypassess the stomach absorption and hence its limitations. This bypassing helps to overcome the limitation of medications and gives quick and predictable benefits.

Apomorphine rescue injections are “emergency injections” which can be carried by patients in their pockets like “Insulin Injection pens”. If at any time, any Parkinson’s disease patient develops severe slowness, he can take subcutaneous injections similar to insulin injections. This apomorphine injection usually starts working within 5-10 minutes and gives quick and predictable relief. This whole beneficial effect lasts for about 60-90 minutes, helping people to tide over acute worsening. Hence called Rescue injections.

In advanced Parkinson’s disease, people who are in need of taking medications very frequently and limited by benefits of oral therapy (like ON-OFF phenomenon, dyskinesia) are suggested for advanced Parkinson’s disease therapies. Apomorphine pump therapy is an advanced Parkinson’s disease therapy. It involves slow release of apomorphine throughout the day and hence providing stable, predictable benefits. It is somewhat similar to Insulin Pump therapy used by diabetes patients.

Yes, currently two different generations of Apomorphine pumps are available in India. These products are in use in India since 2019.  These are supplied by – Rusan Pharamceuticals and Ever Pharma (Celera India)

Apomorphine is used in specific stages of Parkinson’s disease to get desired benefits and improve quality of life. Your treating doctor would be able to tell whether you would benefit from Apomorphine therapy.

In the initial phase Apomorphine is used to assess whether the givenParkinson’s disease / Parkinsonism patient would be having benefits with levodopa therapy. This is called the “Apomorphine ResponseTest (ART)”.

In mid-phase of Parkinson’s disease, Apomorphine is used as emergency medications to give quick benefits when certain dosages of levodopa are not working due to various causes. This is called as “Rescue Therapy”

In moderately advanced Parkinson’s Disease, Apomorphine is used in continuous injections in the form of “ApomorphinePumpTherapy ” to over come motor fluctuations (ON – OFF phenomenon) and Dyskinesias.

Apomorphine Response test or ART is a test to see whether your clinical symptoms improve with Apomorphine. This is done as an elective procedure, where in certain blood tests are done prior to testing. You would also be given “domperidone” tablets to reduce the side effects of Apomorphine. During ART, you would be asked to come in the morning without taking any levodopa and you would be assessed by giving different dosages of Apomorphine injections (usually ranging from 1mg to 6mg). The whole process may last from 90mins to 4-5 hours depending on response and side effects. Your treating doctor/team, will explain about this in detail. If there is a good response to ART, then you can be recommended for rescue therapy OR pump therapy as required.

Apomorphine Pump therapy involves slow and continuous release of Apomorphine using a small pump, which can be carried in the pocket or sling bag or belt attachment. The continuous slow release of Apomorphine gives a predictable response throughout the day.

This takes away the side effects of excess medications and has the ease of quick adjustments. Usually pump therapy is given for about 10-16 hrs in a waking day period. However, in some cases night time use is also recommended.

The advantages of Apomorphine pump therapy include:

i. It gives predictable responses

ii. Dosages can be easily modified as required

iii. No upfront cost like in DBS or LCIG gel therapies

iv. It is also used in patients in whom DBS is contraindicated and has shown good consistent benefits.

v. It has beneficial effects on cognitive function and can be used in people who are having mild to moderate cognitive impairment (where DBS is contraindicated)

vi. It is used in patients with resistant axial symptoms (Camptocormia – bending spine posture) with good benefits.

vii. It is also used in patients in whom DBS effects are reducing over the period of time to give add on benefits.

viii. It can be used for resistant Restless legs syndrome

The disadvantages of Apomorphine are similar to that of Levodopa, Pramipexole, Ropinirole etc. Specific disadvantage of Apomorphine pump therapy include:

i. It has to be managed on a daily basis to start and stop. Some patients may require assistance for the same.

ii. Some people are scared of needle pricks, which is a hurdle for utilization.

iii. Some people feel it is clumsy to carry.

iv. Skin injection sites small nodules are formed. Albeit they are temporary and non-concerning, rarely they can get infected causing problems.

v. Some people continue to have disturbing side effects of nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, blood pressure fluctuations in spite of domperidone.

Most of the dropouts in Apomorphine pump therapy have been noted in the first few months due to adaptation required. However once accepted, people have been using it over many years, with consistent benefits.

Apomorphine therapy has been well accepted therapy for Parkinson’s disease for the last 30+ years. This is categorized under advanced therapies for Parkinson’s disease along with DBS and LCIG. There have been many publications on benefits and long term outcomes of Apomorphine therapy from various countries including India. There are guidelines published by International Movement Disorders groups on who should use apomorphine therapies.

Theoretically Apomorphine should be available everywhere across India easily. However as this is an advanced therapy and used in a certain set of Parkinson’s Disease, the ease of access is limited to these advanced movement disorders centers in India. Usually you would be guided on how to procure after therapy initiation. Most of the time they are delivered to each patient on a requirement basis, without any major logistical issues. Even during COVID times, the logistics were maintained and even dispatched to patients who were struck abroad due to lockdown.

Your treating doctor will be able to guide you to the nearest Parkinson’s Disease center, who specialize in apomorphine therapies. Please speak to your treating Neurologist / Movement Disorders Specialist for further details.

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Overall this Nanavati Hospital Parkinson injection video has been impressive in creating awareness about treatment options for people with Parkinson’s disease.   Many people have equated Nanavati Hospital Parkinson injection video to be synonymous with cure for Parkinson’s disease, which is a misinterpretation of the video circulated, leading to lot of myths associated around this therapy.  We hope our blog on Nanavati hospital Parkinson injection video gives an open insight into the indications, uses and limitations of this therapy and breaks down into some of the myths which are being interpreted from this video.