Generic Name: APOMORPHINE - INJECTION
Pronounced: (A-poe-MOR-feen)

Apomorphine SubQ Uses

This medication is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It can improve your ability to move during frequent "off" periods. It can decrease shakiness (tremor), stiffness, slowed movement, and unsteadiness. This medication is thought to work by helping to restore the balance of a certain natural substance (dopamine) in the brain.

Apomorphine is used to treat "off" episodes when they occur. It is not used to prevent "off" episodes. This drug should not be used instead of your usual medications for Parkinson's disease. Continue taking all your medications as directed by your doctor.

How To Use Apomorphine SubQ

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using apomorphine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn all preparation and usage instructions in the product package. If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Check the dose carefully before injecting. Apomorphine is given by the milliliter, not by the milligram. There are 10 milligrams of drug in each milliliter of this liquid, so if the wrong measuring unit is used, you may accidentally inject 10 times the amount of drug you need. Be sure you have the correct dose to prevent accidental overdose. If you are not sure how to measure your dose correctly, consult your pharmacist before injecting.

If you are using the prefilled cartridge/pen, keep track of the doses used to make sure there is enough medication left in the device to give you a full dose.

Clean the injection site before injecting. Inject this medication under the skin as needed to treat decreased/frozen muscle movement ("off" episode) as directed by your doctor. You may need to use this medication several times a day. Do not use a second injection for the same "off" episode. Wait at least 2 hours between injections.

Do not inject this medication into a vein. It is important to change the location of the injection site with each dose to avoid problem areas under the skin. Therefore, choose a different injection site with each dose. The abdomen, thighs, and upper arms are recommended sites for the injection. Do not inject into skin that is irritated, sore, or infected. Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Never reuse syringes or needles. Consult your pharmacist for details.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To decrease the risk of side effects (e.g., nausea, drowsiness, low blood pressure) when you first start using apomorphine, your doctor will slowly increase your dosage until the best dose for you is reached. Your doctor will usually have you use the first dose in the office where your blood pressure can be checked and you can be watched for side effects. A health care professional will also teach you to inject this medication correctly. Nausea is very common with this medication. To decrease the risk of nausea, your doctor may direct you to start taking another medication (e.g., trimethobenzamide) 3 days before your first dose of apomorphine and to continue taking it for at least 2 months.

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