Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: APOKYN versus CABERGOLINE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: APOKYN versus CABERGOLINE.
APOKYN vs CABERGOLINE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Apomorphine is a non-ergoline dopamine agonist that stimulates dopamine D2 and D1 receptors. It also activates D3, D4, and D5 receptors and has some serotonergic and adrenergic activity.
Cabergoline is a long-acting dopamine D2 receptor agonist that inhibits prolactin secretion by the anterior pituitary gland.
Subcutaneous injection: 0.2 mL (2 mg) as a test dose, then 0.1-0.6 mL (1-6 mg) as needed for episodes of hypomobility; maximum single dose: 0.6 mL (6 mg); maximum daily dose: 2.0 mL (20 mg).
0.25 mg orally twice weekly, up to 1 mg twice weekly; for hyperprolactinemia, initial 0.25 mg twice weekly, titrate by 0.25 mg every 4 weeks based on prolactin levels.
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateCabergoline + Digoxin
"Cabergoline may decrease the cardiotoxic activities of Digoxin."
Clinical Note
moderateCabergoline + Digitoxin
"Cabergoline may decrease the cardiotoxic activities of Digitoxin."
Clinical Note
moderateCabergoline + Deslanoside
"Cabergoline may decrease the cardiotoxic activities of Deslanoside."
Clinical Note
moderateCabergoline + Acetyldigitoxin
"Cabergoline may decrease the cardiotoxic activities of Acetyldigitoxin."
Terminal elimination half-life approximately 30–60 minutes (range 0.5–1 hour); clinically, rapid clearance necessitates continuous or frequent dosing for sustained effect
Terminal elimination half-life is 63-68 hours in healthy subjects, allowing for once- or twice-weekly dosing. In hepatic impairment, half-life may be prolonged.
Renal (approx. 90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; <5% unchanged in urine); biliary/fecal (minor, <10%)
Approximately 60-70% of the dose is excreted in feces (primarily as unchanged drug and metabolites), with about 20-30% excreted renally (mostly as metabolites).
Category C
Category A/B
Dopamine Agonist
Dopamine Agonist