Re: Parkinsons Disease and Apomorphine

[Brian Collins <bjc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun 10 Nov, Arthur Stienstra wrote:
> I would like any information about the use of Apormorphine for Parkinsons and
> Pain related to Parkinsons especially with the use of levadopa (Sinemet)
>
>            AStiens497@AOL COM(Arthur Stienstra)
>
>
Hello Arthur,  You ask about Apomorphine for PD, and Pain related to PD, which
suggests that you are thinking of Apomorphine as a pain-killer, which it is
definitely not. I don't know enough Chemistry to understand what the
relationship is between Morphine and Apomorphine, but prior to its being
found (by accident I believe) to be useful in controlling PD, it was used as
an emetic - That is, to make you throw up!!. PWPs wishing to use Apomorphine
have to take a course of medication to suppress the tendency , before using
Apomorphine.

The chief advantage of Apomorphine is that, because it is administered by
injection (Not into a vein) -  normally into a muscle on the arms or legs-
it takes effect in 5 to 10 minutes, and so can be used to fill in the gap
if you miss the time for a Sinemet tablet, for instance. However the
duration of effectiveness of each injection is only of the order of 30
minutes, so unless you want to look like a walking pin-cushion, it is really
of most use ase a bridge for the occasional unexpected OFF condition.

I am curious about your reference to pain and levodopa. I have never had
reason to link the two - could you explain?

Regards
--
Brian Collins  <bjc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>