Prospects of successful treatment of Parkinson's disease using apomorphine

Abstract. Optimising the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease is a complex, multifaceted and continuous process that directly affects quality of life. The main position of this examination is the need for individualised therapy that provides optimal motor function with the least negative consequences. Apomorphine, a dopamine agonist used as rescue therapy for patients with motor fluctuations with a potentially positive effect on non-motor symptoms, is the only antiparkinsonian drug whose ability to control motor symptoms is equivalent to that of levodopa. Subcutaneous injection is the most effective and affordable way to correct dopaminergic insufficiency in Parkinson's disease. The data of multi-centre studies presented in the review confirm the high efficiency, adequate tolerability, and prospects of using apomorphine in the complex pathogenetic therapy of the disease. This review provides historical background and summarises the structure, mechanism of action, pharmacodynamics, indications, contraindications, and side effects of subcutaneous apomorphine injections in the advanced stages of Parkinson's disease. Keywords: Parkinson's disease; apomorphine; pharmacokinetics; mechanism of action; clinical trials; indications: and contraindications