Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: APOKYN versus PARLODEL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: APOKYN versus PARLODEL.
APOKYN vs PARLODEL
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.
Dopamine D2 receptor agonist; inhibits prolactin secretion by binding to pituitary and hypothalamic D2 receptors.
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).
Parkinson disease: initial 1.25 mg orally twice daily, increase by 2.5 mg/day every 2-4 weeks; usual range 15-30 mg/day. Hyperprolactinemia: initial 1.25-2.5 mg orally once daily, titrate to 2.5 mg twice daily; maintenance 2.5-15 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
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: 12-14 hours (biphasic, initial half-life 6-8 hours); clinical context: steady-state achieved in 2-3 days.
Renal (approx. 90% as metabolites and unchanged drug; <5% unchanged in urine); biliary/fecal (minor, <10%)
Renal: approximately 60% as metabolites, 6% as unchanged drug; biliary/fecal: approximately 40% as metabolites and unchanged drug.
Category C
Category C
Dopamine Agonist
Dopamine Agonist