Apomorphine: Patient drug information

What is this drug used for?

It is used to treat "off" episodes (when a dose wears off) in people with Parkinson's disease.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
If you are taking any of these drugs: Alosetron, chlorpromazine, dolasetron, granisetron, haloperidol, metoclopramide, ondansetron, palonosetron, prochlorperazine, or promethazine.
If you are taking any other drugs that can make you sleepy. There are many drugs that can do this. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

All products:
Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug.
Talk with your doctor before you use marijuana, other forms of cannabis, or prescription or OTC drugs that may slow your actions.
Have blood work, blood pressure, and heart rate checked as you have been told by the doctor.
If you are allergic to sulfites, talk with your doctor. Some products have sulfites.
An unsafe heartbeat that is not normal (long QT on ECG) has happened with this drug. Chest pain, heart attack, and sudden deaths have also rarely happened in people taking this drug. Talk with the doctor.
The chance of falling is raised with this drug. Falls may lead to very bad problems like head injury and broken bones. The chance of falling is higher in older people. Talk with the doctor.
Do not stop taking this drug all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of side effects. If you need to stop this drug, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a severe and sometimes deadly health problem that has happened when drugs like this one were stopped all of a sudden. NMS has also happened when the dose was lowered. Call your doctor right away if you have any fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, severe headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast or abnormal heartbeat, or are sweating a lot.
Call your doctor right away if you have a painful erection (hard penis) or an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours. This may happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it may lead to lasting sex problems and you may not be able to have sex.
A severe blood problem called hemolytic anemia has happened with this drug. Sometimes, people have had to go to the hospital. Call your doctor right away if you feel confused, or very dizzy, tired, or weak. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, pale skin, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, or fever.
If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
Cartridges and prefilled pens:
Do not share pen or cartridge devices with another person even if the needle has been changed. Sharing these devices may pass infections from one person to another. This includes infections you may not know you have.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
All products:
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Flushing.
Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
Very bad dizziness or passing out.
Sweating a lot.
Feeling confused.
Strong urges that are hard to control (such as eating, gambling, sex, or spending money).
Trouble controlling body movements that is new or worse.
Mental, mood, or behavior changes that are new or worse.
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
Chest pain or pressure, a fast heartbeat, or an abnormal heartbeat.
Change in eyesight.
Some people have fallen asleep during activities like driving, eating, or talking. Some people did not feel sleepy and felt alert right before falling asleep. This has happened up to 1 year after this drug was started. If you fall asleep during activities, do not drive or do other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert while you take this drug. Call your doctor right away if this happens or you feel very sleepy.
All injection products:
Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
Signs of dehydration like dry skin, mouth, or eyes; thirst; fast heartbeat; dizziness; fast breathing; or confusion.
Bruising or dark areas of skin.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
All products:
Upset stomach or throwing up.
Runny nose.
Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
Headache.
All injection products:
Irritation where the shot is given.
Yawning.
Joint pain.
Trouble sleeping.
Back pain.
Diarrhea or constipation.
Pain in arms or legs.
Under the tongue (sublingual) film:
Mouth irritation is common with this drug. Call your doctor if you have mouth redness, swelling, or pain; mouth sores; dry mouth, lips, or tongue; or pain with swallowing.
Numbness or tingling in the mouth.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All injection products:
It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin.
Do not give this drug as a shot into a vein. Blood clots (in the lungs) have happened when this drug was given as a shot into a vein. Talk with your doctor.
If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.
Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
Do not use if solution changes color.
Wash your hands before and after use.
Move the site where you give the shot with each shot.
Do not give into red or irritated skin.
Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If it has been more than 7 days since your last dose, call your doctor to find out how to restart.
Under the tongue (sublingual) film:
Wash your hands before and after use.
Be sure your hands are dry before you touch this drug.
Do not cut or split the film. Do not take a film that is broken.
Drink water before taking this drug. Place film under your tongue and close your mouth. Let the film dissolve. Do not chew or swallow whole. Do not swallow saliva or talk while the film dissolves. This can take about 3 minutes. You may swallow after the film has dissolved.
All products:
Other drugs may be given with this drug to help avoid side effects.
If you are taking nitroglycerin under the tongue for chest pain, this drug may raise the risk of low blood pressure. Lie down before and after taking nitroglycerin. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

This drug is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

All products:
Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Under the tongue (sublingual) film:
Store in foil pouch until ready for use.

General drug facts

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.